The curse of Dawson’s Creek: As Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson reunite on screen, how cancer, untimely deaths and personal battles have blighted the lives of the cast in the past 20 years

On Sunday mornings during the 2000s, Dawson’s Creek revolutionized teen television by becoming a favorite among emotionally turbulent teenagers.

The initial sequence, where Katie Holmes’ character Joey Potter tells her longtime friend Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) that they can no longer have sleepovers due to their changing hormones and growing understanding of sexuality, sets the mood for the show.

Dawson (played by Joshua Jackson), Joey (played by Michelle Williams), Pacey, and Jen were the main characters in “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran for six seasons and was known for its lengthy dialogue, mature themes, and many emotional moments. The show’s iconic crying meme has left a lasting impact on pop culture.

For more than a hundred and twenty-eight episodes starting in 1998, viewers followed the adventures of four friends in Capeside, where the complex relationship among Dawson, Joey, and Pacey formed the heart of the story. Fans found themselves torn between supporting Team Dawson or Team Pacey as they passionately debated their favorite pairing.

2003 saw the airing of the flash-forward finale, wrapping up the romantic entanglements and leaving viewers stunned by the demise of Jen, portrayed by Michelle Williams.

Behind the scenes, the actors’ lives have experienced equal amounts of turmoil. The series catapulted several of them into global fame, but their private lives have been marred by health crises, high-profile divorces, and sorrowful events.

Reflecting on the journey of the cast members since they worked together 20 years ago, here’s an update as Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson team up again for a new romantic film project.

James Van Der Beek

Performing the principal role solidified James’ status as a teen idol, bolstered by his ability to handle starring parts in movies such as Varsity Blues and The Rules of Attraction while he was portraying Dawson during those years.

When the show concluded, James had additionally been recognized as one of People Magazine’s 50 most attractive individuals.

In the later 2000s, his stardom started to decline, and he began accepting roles for television shows, Off-Broadway plays, and even participated in “Dancing with the Stars.”

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By the end of the 2000s, his shine as a star had dimmed, and he found himself taking on smaller TV roles, participating in Off-Broadway productions, and even joining “Dancing with the Stars.

Over the past few years, his private life has been frequently discussed following his announcement in November 2024 that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

The 47-year-old actor shared that he has been personally managing a health condition, and with the help of his exceptional family, he’s been making strides towards resolution.

After receiving a diagnosis, Van Der Beek, father of six with his wife, Kimberly, continues to work while balancing family life at their Texas residence. This move was made following their relocation from Los Angeles in 2020.

Michelle Williams

Michelle, aged 44, portrayed Jen Lindley, a New York City free spirit who was relocated to Capeside to reside with her grandmother.

Following Michelle’s career after Dawson, it is widely acknowledged that she has achieved significant professional acclaim, receiving a total of four Oscar nominations and taking home two Golden Globe awards.

In the 2004 film Brokeback Mountain, one of her most celebrated performances on the silver screen took place, and it was there that she crossed paths with her companion, Heath Ledger.

The couple welcomed daughter Matilda in October 2005 before breaking up in 2007.

Three months later, Ledger died of an accidental drug overdose. He was just 28.

Michelle remained silent about Heath Ledger’s sad demise in the public sphere until 2016, choosing instead to dedicate her time and energy towards nurturing their child away from the spotlight.

She shared with Porter magazine in 2016 that for most things, her philosophy is to not resist situations, but rather accept them – both where you are now and where you’ve come from. However, there’s one exception to this belief.

She expressed her feelings about losing her daughter as follows: “If it weren’t for Matilda not having a father, I could fully immerse myself in that thought process. You understand, that’s simply an aspect that will never feel quite right.

Joshua Jackson

In the role of Dawson’s closest companion and the individual destined to capture Joey Potter’s affection, Joshua took on the image of the rebellious figure in the town of Capeside.

Following the conclusion of the show titled “Josh,” at age 47, he continued to portray additional rebellious teen characters, such as those in “Cruel Intentions.” Lately, he has experienced a resurgence of popularity on television, taking on leading roles in series like “Fringe” and “Doctor Odyssey.

But like Pacey’s messy romances, his personal life has been blighted by love woes.

More recently, the actor has finalized his divorce with Jodie Turner-Smith, yet they remain embroiled in a tense legal dispute concerning matters regarding their child, such as custody and upbringing.

Prior to splitting in 2023, the actors had been married for four years and share a daughter named Juno Rose Diana Jackson, who was born to them in April 2020.

This year, I unfortunately lost my $2 million house in Topanga Canyon due to the destructive wildfires that swept through Los Angeles.

In the very same residence, Doctor Odyssey had lived during his younger years before he relocated to Canada at the age of eight, following his parents’ divorce.

For approximately two decades, he owned that property and resided there together with his young daughter who was around four years old at the time.

In the year 2021, he expressed his intention to buy the house where he resided as a kid, creating a heartwarming, symbolic loop in his life story.

In July 2021, I shared with Mr. Porter that, regrettably, my father wasn’t the best father or husband and chose to leave our lives. However, that house in Topanga held a profound sense of simplicity for me, making it a deeply healing experience to return there.

Additionally, it was shared that following the arrival of their daughter Juno, his old bedroom transformed into her room when he lived with his former spouse.

He remarked, “In that particular room, I discovered a mural of a dragon on the wall, which I found hard to believe was still intact, even after all these years.

As the previous custodian, I had a feeling that its significance was not lost on someone, and that they would eventually return for it.

Katie Holmes

Katie, who was 46 years old, perfectly embodied the role of the neighboring girl, portraying Joey Potter on the TV show. The complicated family issues faced by Joey, including her father being incarcerated for drug trafficking and a memorable armed robbery, added an edge to many intriguing storylines featuring her character.

Behind the scenes, Katie Holmes’ high-profile marriage to Tom Cruise and their subsequent divorce have cast a long shadow over her acting career since Dawson’s Creek.

Off camera, the attention surrounding Katie Holmes’ high-profile marriage to Tom Cruise and their eventual divorce has significantly impacted her acting career following Dawson’s Creek.

In 2012, it became public knowledge that Tom and Katie were ending their marriage, which had lasted for five years – a highly notable divorce in the world of entertainment.

For quite some time, they were considered one of Tinseltown’s most prominent duos. Tom made headlines by expressing his affection for Kate, famously leaping onto a couch during an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

In 2006, the couple exchanged vows at an Italian wedding ceremony, which was based on Scientology beliefs, shortly following the birth of their daughter, Suri. However, over time, tensions rose, with reports suggesting that Katie felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the Church’s influence in their lives.

In the month of June 2012, it became public knowledge that Katie opted to initiate divorce proceedings in New York, hoping to improve her chances of obtaining primary custody of Suri, should the court grant it.

If Tom Cruise were not granted custody of Suri, Katie Holmes would have the power to take her daughter out of the Church of Scientology, a faith that Holmes reportedly had reservations about and felt uneasy towards, despite her ex-husband’s strong attachment to it.

On the 9th of July, 2012, it was confirmed by Katie’s attorney that her divorce from Tom was finalized, with Katie being awarded full custody of their daughter, Suri, who was then six years old.

In a settlement outside of court, the previous pair came to terms, implying that the actor’s affiliation with Scientology would no longer be under intense public examination, as the intricacies of its practices wouldn’t be disclosed in a trial.

In 2017, she openly expressed that intentionally shifting her focus from acting to directing was a strategic decision aimed at ensuring greater presence in Suri’s life.

Previously, she expressed her feelings about Suri maturing as ‘extremely sad,’ expressing, ‘It’s crucial to do all you can to fulfill their needs—and then they will leave. And that departure is going to be incredibly hard for me.’

With Suri now enjoying life at college, Katie has a renewed focus on her work.

After breaking up with Tom, the celebrity was awarded £10 million, along with a yearly child support payment of $38,000.

For more than a decade, the celebrity has been given $400,000 due to taking care of Suri by herself. However, it’s said that this financial assistance is no longer applicable as their daughter has moved on to college and attained adulthood status in the eyes of the law.

In her newest project, Katie collaborates with Joshua, a friend of Dawson’s, to portray two ex-lovers who meet again after many years. They revive their romantic relationship while dealing with professional obligations and family duties along the way.

Katie is responsible for writing and acting in a set of three films that will be her fourth, fifth, and sixth directorial projects.

Obi Ndefo

Obi Ndefo played Katie Holmes’ character’s brother-in-law Bodie Wells on Dawson’s Creek.

In November 2024, the actor passed away at the age of 51, having survived for five years following a devastating accident that cost him both his legs in 2019.

Ndefo, a Yale graduate, acted on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2002. Tragically, he got severely injured in a hit-and-run accident in August 2019. The extent of his injuries required surgeons to amputate both his legs; one was left completely destroyed while the other was only partially separated.

As I was carefully loading my cooler into my car parked outside Erewhon Market on Beverly Boulevard, an inebriated driver swerved from his lane, unfortunately colliding with me, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

In response to the unfortunate event, Ndefo’s loved ones established a GoFundMe page, ultimately collecting over a quarter million dollars.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share this exciting news! The information indicates that the funds will be allocated for essentials such as new prosthetic limbs, uninsured medical procedures and hospital bills, plus modifications to make Ndefo’s home wheelchair-friendly. What an incredible way to support someone who inspires us all!

On the occasion of Ndefo’s passing, Mary-Margaret Humes, best known for her role as Dawson’s mom, Gale Leery, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

She expressed that it’s tough for her to find the right words, ‘Leaving us isn’t something I can easily grasp,’ she admitted. ‘You’ve always been a beacon of light in my life, my dear friend. The way you displayed raw, unadulterated love and determination in the face of life’s trials has been nothing short of inspiring.’

I’ll treasure every message of love and encouragement we exchanged during these years. May you find eternal peace, dear fighter.

Heidi Ferrer

In 2021, screenwriter Heidi Ferrer, aged 50, ended her life at her residence in Los Angeles after a prolonged struggle against COVID-19 lasting for about 13 months.

She’s been confined to her bed and experiencing severe pain ever since she got infected by the virus back in April 2020.

Her long-term partner, Nick Guthe (who is also a director), shared with CNN that it took several months for medical professionals to identify and treat her health issues, and arrange a referral for a prolonged COVID-19 care facility. Unfortunately, this referral came just one day before she passed away.

‘Guthe mentioned that when things became extremely tough, she wasn’t sure if she could carry on or persevere any longer. All I kept telling her was to hold on, keep going, as medical advancements are progressing faster than ever before.’ (This version aims to simplify the original sentence structure and improve readability without losing the intended meaning.)

However, it seems she believed her condition would worsen significantly, leading to the loss of mobility, possibly confining her to a wheelchair and preventing her from bathing independently.

In April 2020, a woman with one child experienced body discomfort, such as intense pain in her feet and ankles, extreme tiredness, and symptoms resembling the flu after testing positive for COVID-19.

By June, her condition deteriorated significantly, confining her to bed. Over the ensuing months, Ferrer continued to experience fatigue and foot pain, but also developed debilitating neurological shakes.

Ferrier was a long-term screenwriter who wrote numerous episodes for the popular 90s series Dawson’s Creek and Wasteland, in addition to multiple movies.

2025-07-23 18:52