Dawson’s Creek is a coming-of-age series that has resonated with fans for decades thanks in part to the cast of characters.
The WB series, which ran from 1998 to 2003, followed the lives of Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), neighbor Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) and Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) as they navigated life in the fictional town of Capeside.
The cast grew up in front of our eyes, and along the way, it expanded with iconic characters like Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith) and Audrey Liddell (Busy Philipps). Over the years, there were more than a few other A-list stars who made a splash in Hollywood after making a cameo — or having a minor role — on Dawson’s Creek, including Seth Rogen, Ali Larter and Scott Foley.
Oliver Hudson, who appeared on season 6, exclusively told Luxury Handbag Shopping that working with his TV girlfriend Holmes on “such an iconic show was very, very cool.”
“I had so much fun. I lived in Wilmington, North Carolina. I lived right on the beach,” he recalled in December 2025. “I was fishing and surfing, and I had a basketball court right behind me, so there was that part of it.”
Two months later, news broke that Van Der Beek died at age 48 following a battle with cancer, with several members of his Dawson’s Creek family reminiscing on the time they spent together.
Scroll down to see some of the biggest stars you forgot were on Dawson’s Creek:
Scott Foley
Scott Foley had a five-episode arc on season 1 of The WB series, playing Cliff Elliott. Fans may remember that Jen’s grandma — a.k.a. Grams (Mary Beth Peil) — endearingly called him “Clifford,” as the school jock attempted to win Jen’s heart and take her away from Dawson.
The same year Foley appeared on Dawson’s Creek, his show Felicity premiered. He played Noel Crane, one of the two main male characters, for four seasons.
Melissa McBride
Melissa McBride popped up on Dawson’s Creek in two separate seasons. Viewers were introduced to her character Nina during season 1 of the series when she met up with Dawson at CLUB (yes, that was the name of the club) and the pair shared a kiss.
The Walking Dead alum was spotted during season 6 as well, this time playing Melanie. Her second character was Joey’s coworker, who convinced her to skip Dawson’s mom Gale’s (Mary-Margaret Humes) wedding and go away for the weekend with her boyfriend instead.
Rachael Leigh Cook
The same year that She’s All That came out in 1999, Rachael Leigh Cook had a three-episode arc on season 2 of Dawson’s Creek. She played Devon, a model who was eventually cast in the lead of Dawson’s short film after meeting at her college library.
Alexandra Breckenridge
Long before she starred on Virgin River, Alexandra Breckenridge played Jack’s ex-girlfriend Kate during season 2. She had a small role, briefly visiting Capeside after Jack came out as gay — although she was in the dark about his sexuality.
Ali Larter
During season 2, Pacey had a major crush on popular high school classmate Kristy, played by Ali Later. She appeared on two episodes in 1998 before turning heads with her whipped cream bikini in 1999’s Varsity Blues.
Julie Bowen
Julie Bowen played Dawson’s fun and cool aunt Gwen during season 3. She famously hosted Dawson and his teenage pals for a weekend away where she caught Joey and Pacey kissing.
Tony Hale
If you blinked, you might have missed Tony Hale’s season 4 cameo when he played Mr. Brooks’ (Harve Presnell) doctor, who put Dawson on the spot when asking him about life support for his patient.
Sasha Alexander
Sasha Alexander is best known for her roles on crime shows including NCIS and Rizzoli & Isles, but she once played Pacey’s older sister on Dawson’s Creek. Alexander’s Gretchen Witter was a big character on season 4 of the series while dating Pacey’s BFF Dawson throughout his senior year.
Jane Lynch
During season 4, fans were introduced to Pacey’s mom, played by Jane Lynch, during a dysfunctional family birthday dinner.
Chad Michael Murray
After playing Tristin Dugray on Gilmore Girls, Chad Michael Murray was a recurring character on Dawson’s Creek.
During season 5, he portrayed Charlie Todd, a musician who dated Jen until she discovered he had another girlfriend. Charlie later romanced Joey, but she dumped him before he went on tour.
Murray went on to lead his own CW series, One Tree Hill, as Lucas Scott.
Jennifer Morrison
Pacey romanced many women throughout his time on the show, including Jennifer Morrison’s Melanie. During season 5, Morrison portrayed the rich law student on two episodes, who had a summer-at-sea fling with Pacey before they both went back to reality.
Pauley Perrette
NCIS alum Pauley Perrette popped up on Dawson’s Creek during a hard time for Dawson in season 5. Spoiler alert: Following the death of his father, Mitch Leery (John Wesley Shipp), Dawson went to a therapist, played by Perrette.
Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles was a recurring character for 12 episodes during season 6, portraying C.J., a teen helpline counselor. His character caused a stir after first being drawn to Jen, whom he dated, but later sleeping with her college friend Audrey, a move that caused Pacey to punch him.
Ackles went on to be a big name for The WB and The CW, with roles on Smallville and Supernatural.
Seth Rogen
During season 6, Seth Rogen played a stoner named Bob who slept with Audrey and took a road trip with her to rehab in Los Angeles. The cameo was a reunion for Rogen and Philipps, who previously costarred on Freaks and Geeks.
Oliver Hudson
Oliver Hudson was a recurring character on season 6, playing Joey’s on-again, off-again college boyfriend, Eddie Doling. The pair called it quits for good after a trip to Europe.
Jack Osbourne
During season 6, Jack Osbourne played himself. He was supposed to be a longtime family friend of Audrey.
Jeremy Sisto
Nearly a decade after playing Elton in 1995’s Clueless, Jeremy Sisto had a cameo on the series finale of Dawson’s Creek. He played Joey’s boyfriend Christopher in a flash-forward scene.
