Joshua Jackson Katie Holmes reunion moments don’t come along often — so when the former Dawson’s Creek co-stars walked arm-in-arm down a New York City red carpet on April 14, 2026, the internet had exactly the reaction you’d expect: complete and utter joy. Fans who spent the late ’90s and early 2000s rooting for Joey and Pacey collectively lost their minds, and honestly? Understandable.
The occasion was the gala screening of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, a documentary about Italian luxury fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli, held at the prestigious David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Neither star needed to be there together — yet there they were, side by side, laughing and posing like no time had passed at all.
For a generation of millennials who practically grew up in Capeside, this wasn’t just a celebrity sighting. It was a full-on emotional event.
The Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes Reunion That Broke the Internet
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Both Jackson and Holmes are 47 years old, and judging by the red carpet photos, they are absolutely thriving. Holmes turned up in a shimmering silver sequined maxi skirt paired with a white collared shirt draped stylishly off one shoulder, finishing the look with a sleek long bob and a simple black clutch. Effortless doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Jackson, meanwhile, arrived in a deep burgundy suit jacket, crisp white shirt, grey trousers, and a grey bow tie — his now-silver hair adding exactly the distinguished energy that has fans calling him the most well-aged man in Hollywood. When he glanced over at Holmes mid-photo and she broke into a beaming smile, the cameras caught something genuinely warm. Not staged, not performative — just two old friends who clearly still enjoy each other’s company.
Page Six reporters on the scene noted the pair laughed together consistently throughout the evening. That easy, natural chemistry? Still completely intact after nearly three decades.
Why the Joshua Jackson Katie Holmes Reunion Hits So Much Harder Right Now
This wasn’t just any celebrity sighting. Context matters enormously here. April 14th marked the first time Holmes and Jackson had been photographed together publicly since the devastating passing of their Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek on February 11, 2026. The beloved actor, who played the titular Dawson Leery throughout the show’s six-season run, died at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer — a diagnosis he had kept private since 2023 before going public in November 2024.
His loss sent shockwaves through Hollywood, and the Dawson’s Creek family felt it deeply. Holmes had shared a heartfelt handwritten letter on Instagram following his death, expressing how grateful she was to have shared in a piece of his journey. Seeing her and Jackson together now — smiling, healing, and moving forward — feels like a tribute in its own quiet way.
For fans keeping track of the latest celebrity news, this reunion also lands just ahead of the 25th anniversary of one of the most iconic Dawson’s Creek episodes ever: Season 4’s “Promicide,” which originally aired on May 2, 2001, and featured the gut-wrenching breakup of Pacey and Joey. The timing feels almost poetic.
Before Dawson’s Creek — The Real-Life Romance Nobody Forgot
Here’s the thing about the Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes dynamic that makes every reunion feel loaded with subtext: they actually dated in real life. Early in the show’s run, back in 1998, the two young stars briefly fell for each other on set. Holmes later spoke about it openly in a Rolling Stone interview, describing it as her first love — something she said she would treasure always. She also made it clear that the relationship had evolved into a deep, lasting friendship.
That foundation of genuine history is exactly what makes their bond feel so different from typical Hollywood co-star friendships. These two aren’t keeping in touch out of obligation. They clearly like each other, and they’ve made real choices to stay in each other’s lives.
Dawson’s Creek itself aired on The WB network from 1998 to 2003, building a fiercely loyal fanbase that has never quite let go of the show’s emotional core. Holmes played Joey Potter, the girl-next-door with depth to spare. Jackson brought Pacey Witter — the underdog with a big heart — to life in a way that made him one of TV’s most beloved characters of that era.
What’s Next: The Joshua Jackson Katie Holmes Reunion on the Big Screen
If one red carpet appearance wasn’t enough to send fans into a spiral, there’s actually a full film in the works — and it stars both of them. Holmes has written, directed, and produced a project called Happy Hours, an ambitious trilogy that traces the three phases of a romantic relationship. Jackson is her leading man.
Speaking about the film during an appearance on Today in March 2026, Jackson described it simply: a love story told across three separate films, covering falling in love, the middle years, and whatever comes after. The first installment — the falling-in-love chapter — has already been shot, with Holmes currently in post-production. Jackson noted how meaningful it was to finally be back on camera with her after all these years of friendship but no professional overlap.
Holmes had announced the project on Instagram in July 2025, writing that working with Jackson again was “a testament to friendship.” That’s not PR language — that’s someone who means it. The film is expected to make its debut sometime in 2026, and if this red carpet moment is any preview of the chemistry audiences are in for, the wait will absolutely be worth it.
Want to stay on top of what this duo does next? Follow all the trending now coverage right here as their film gets closer to release.
Dawson’s Creek Fans Respond to the Joshua Jackson Katie Holmes Reunion
Social media had very little chill about the whole thing. The moment photos dropped from the Lincoln Center red carpet, the reactions came flooding in — a mix of nostalgia, delight, and the kind of emotional investment that only a truly beloved piece of pop culture can generate.
“Pacey and Joey forever” trended within hours. Fan accounts that hadn’t posted in years suddenly had something to say. Clips from the show’s most iconic moments started circulating again, particularly from Season 3, when Pacey and Joey’s relationship shifted from banter to something real.
For fans who grew up watching this show, Holmes and Jackson aren’t just actors — they represent a very specific, very formative chapter of their lives. Seeing them together, genuinely happy and still clearly close, touches something that goes well beyond celebrity gossip. It’s a reminder that some connections simply don’t expire.
A Tribute to James Van Der Beek Within the Joshua Jackson Katie Holmes Reunion Moment
It would be incomplete to talk about this reunion without returning to Van Der Beek. Just months before April 14, the entire surviving cast had gathered in New York for a live table read of the Dawson’s Creek pilot in September 2025 — a charity event organized to support the F Cancer organization while Van Der Beek was still alive. That gathering was the last time the group came together with him still in the world.
Tuesday’s outing was the first step forward without him, and the weight of that isn’t lost on anyone paying attention. The fact that Holmes and Jackson showed up, dressed beautifully, and smiled for the cameras isn’t erasure — it’s continuation. It’s what people who loved someone do when they choose to keep living and keep showing up.
Van Der Beek left behind his wife Kimberly and their six children. He was, by every account, a devoted father and a man who faced his final chapter with exceptional grace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsDid Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes date in real life?
Yes, they did. The two briefly dated in 1998, early in the production of Dawson’s Creek. Holmes later described it as her first love in a Rolling Stone interview, and both have maintained that the relationship evolved into a deep, lasting friendship that has endured for nearly three decades.
Why did Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes attend the NYC screening together in April 2026?
Both stars attended the gala screening of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, a documentary about Italian fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli, at David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on April 14, 2026. The appearance was their first public outing together since the February 2026 death of Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek.
What is the Happy Hours film that Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson are making together?
Happy Hours is a film trilogy written and directed by Katie Holmes, in which she and Jackson star as romantic leads. The project is structured as three separate films tracing the phases of a love story. The first installment — covering the early, falling-in-love stage — has been filmed and is currently in post-production, with a 2026 release expected.
How long did Dawson’s Creek run, and what characters did Holmes and Jackson play?
Dawson’s Creek ran for six seasons on The WB network, from 1998 to 2003. Katie Holmes played Joey Potter, and Joshua Jackson played Pacey Witter. Their characters famously became one of the show’s central romantic pairings, a storyline that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
The Joshua Jackson Katie Holmes reunion at Lincoln Center gave fans of the iconic ’90s drama exactly the kind of feel-good moment 2026 needed. Whether they’re walking red carpets, filming love stories together, or simply showing up for each other after loss, these two have built something that clearly stands the test of time — both on screen and off.
What do you think? Are you excited for Happy Hours, or does this reunion just make you want to rewatch all six seasons of Dawson’s Creek? Drop a comment below and let us know.