A Nostalgic Look at Dawson's Creek
Kevin Williamson Launches Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams
A Fresh Look At The Teen Genre
Ten years ago, audiences were introduced to the eternally optimistic fifteen year old Dawson Leery in the television series "Dawson’s Creek". The series, created by Kevin Williamson, also famous for his films, "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer," was a coming of age depiction of teenagers living in a small New England community. The series was not a cookie cutter, sugar coated ensemble with campy ideas and comedy. It was not afraid to tackle hard hitting issues and was notorious for overstepping the bounds of comfort on more than one occasion.
Tackling Serious Issues
Through the duration of its run on television (1998-2003), the series dealt with very real issues such as depression, drug abuse and death in a serious manner while not "preaching" to its viewers. One plot was even edgier and much criticized, ripped straight from the headlines of the times with a main character engaging in an affair with his English teacher.
The world now knows Katie Holmes as the wife of Tom Cruise and mother to Suri Cruise. However, to the die-hard fans of the series, Katie was simply Joey Potter, the girl next door who would eventually have two friends vying for her affections. Oscar nominated actress Michelle Williams, recognized for her role in "Brokeback Mountain" portrayed New York wild child Jen Lindley. Joshua Jackson portrayed the sarcastic and self deprecating Pacey Witter, the guy who was nicer than he wanted to admit. Last but not least, James Van Der Beek was Dawson Leery, the aspiring filmmaker who refused to give up hope and optimism against all odds. A wonderful cast of supporting characters would come and go as the series progressed and add to the powerful impact that the series would have on its audience.
A Pop Culture Phenomenon
All in all, the cast of characters brought wit, sarcasm and a whole new level of intelligence to the teen genre. The writers were even criticized for the intellectual dialogue claiming that "no teenager talks like that." However, despite the complaints, the series flourished for six seasons on The WB Network and was a pioneer for the television channel, aiding in its large success.
The intelligent writing and acting brought these characters into the homes and hearts of millions of viewers each week. The television series and its loyal fan base even contributed to the spike in tourism revenue for Wilmington, North Carolina, the location in which the series was filmed. The popularity of the series is still the subject of pop culture references and made a significant impact on the teen genre. The show is now syndicated on network television, inviting a new generation to enjoy the trials and triumphs of Dawson Leery and his friends.
