James Van Der Beek recently revisited his time on the iconic television series Dawson’s Creek, reflecting on its cultural resonance and his unique hairstyle that became emblematic of the show. In a recent cover story for Entertainment Weekly, Van Der Beek reminisced about his younger days and the dawning of the series’ groundbreaking and popular 20-year run. He jokingly referenced his season one haircut that looked like “pubescent Jesus.”
Dawson’s Creek first appeared on The WB in 1998 and continued until 2003. It became a launching pad for its lead actors and actresses, including Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps, and Joshua Jackson. The series won the hearts of viewers through its honest storytelling and portrayal of youth characters facing the struggles of coming-of-age. In the 2018 cast reunion, Van Der Beek tried to explain why the show became such a hit with its young audience.
He characterized Dawson’s Creek as a “very well-intentioned show,” emphasizing its role in shaping young viewers’ experiences during their formative years.
A 1996 cover of Entertainment Weekly, starring none other than Brad Pitt. Van Der Beek divulged that he based his character’s haircut on a particular photo. That decision has proven to be one of the most inspired aspects of his tenure.
Michelle Williams contributed to the discussion about the show’s influence, stating, “I loved that we were able to get in there in those formative years for people.” That feeling of nostalgia rings true for many fans who grew up watching the animated series in their formative teenage years.
Despite its small budget, the show’s impact is enormous. Van Der Beek has decided to be careful about exposing it to his own children. He has six kids with his wife, Kimberly Brook, but told EW that he doesn’t want his kids watching Dawson’s Creek.
“It’s a great show, I love the show, I think other kids can watch it. I don’t think my kids need to watch their dad pretend to go through puberty. That’s my stance on it.” – James Van Der Beek
Van Der Beek took to social media in December to announce his own fight with colorectal cancer. This discovery gave a richer texture to all of his observations on life and profession. The actor has indeed faced all these challenges with insane bravery and spirit. Along with these hard-won gains, they still fondly recall the experiences they shared while creating Dawson’s Creek.
At today’s Entertainment Weekly reunion special, stars and creators celebrated the show’s cultural impact. It revealed the intense bonds created between the performers and their audiences.
