Why ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Has the Most Successful TV Teen Cast Ever

originally posted at http://tv.yahoo.com/news/why–dawson-s-creek–has-the-most-successful-tv-teen-cast-ever-214326474.html

It’s been 10 years since Joey chose Pacey, since Jen passed away, since Dawson made a TV show about them all — since “Dawson’s Creek” wrapped everything up in a satisfying, sentimental bow.

If the 2003 series finale, a flash-forward that let the teens of Capeside grow up and make adult decisions, has held up well — except to those still aggrieved that Joey didn’t choose Dawson — then so has its cast.

James Van Der Beek, the Spielberg-aspiring Dawson Leery, just wrapped up a fine, ironic turn as uber-James Van Der Beek on “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.” Joshua Jackson, the cougar-admiring, ultimately steadfast Pacey Witter, will never want for an invite to Comic-Con thanks to the recently concluded cult favorite “Fringe.” Michelle Williams, the tragic Jen Lindley, is a three-time Oscar nominee (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Blue Valentine,” “My Week With Marilyn”). Katie Holmes, our dear Joey Potter, has starred in film (“Batman Begins”), on Broadway (“Dead Accounts”) and, yes, in a six-year marriage to Tom Cruise. (And, yes, Williams had a child with the late Heath Ledger.)