Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson reunited on screen for the romantic-comedy film “Happy Hours,” which premiered June 5, 2026 [4], at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City [1].
The reunion marks the first time the two actors have worked together in 25 years [2], bringing back the chemistry of their iconic characters from the TV series "Dawson's Creek." The project also serves as a tribute to their late castmate, James Van Der Beek [1].
Homes, who is 47 years old [3], served as the director for the film. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Holmes said it felt like the perfect moment to bring the characters Joey and Pacey back together, especially after everything they had been through and to honor James [1].
Jackson praised the collaboration and the environment Holmes created for the production. He said she made the space for them to be able to play together again after all those years [5].
Despite the nostalgia surrounding the pairing, Holmes noted that the public reaction to the reunion was not what she expected. She said, "To be honest, it was unexpected" [6].
The film's premiere at Tribeca highlights Holmes's transition into directing and her desire to celebrate a long-standing friendship with Jackson. The collaboration bridges a gap of over two decades [3] since the pair first rose to fame as a central couple in the teen drama series.
“"It felt like the perfect moment to bring Joey and Pacey back together... and to honor James."”
This reunion leverages the enduring legacy of 'Dawson's Creek' to create a meta-narrative about aging and friendship. By directing the project, Holmes is not only revisiting her early career but is also using her platform to memorialize James Van Der Beek, turning a commercial romantic comedy into a personal tribute to the original cast's shared history.
