Unpopular opinion alert: I’m not happy about Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson’s new project.
After it was announced last month that the “Dawson’s Creek” stars are reuniting to star in a film trilogy called Happy Hours, which Holmes is also producing, writing and directing, my reaction was… I don’t want this.
And now that that I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about it and seeing all the media coverage, my reaction is… I really don’t want this.
I don’t want to see Holmes and Jackson together not playing Joey and Pacey (though, to be clear, I definitely don’t want a “Dawson’s Creek” revival, either). At the same time, I don’t think I can watch them together on-screen and buy them as other characters.
Past projects Holmes has jointly produced, written, directed, and starred in are also contributing to my pessimism. All We Had, her directorial debut, has a mere 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. Alone Together, which Holmes directed and wrote, has an even worse 30%. Her most recent effort, another directing-writing combo, Rare Objects, also scored 40%. Embarking on a trilogy and promising to deliver a three-film series is a huge endeavor. It will be incredibly embarrassing for both her and Jackson if the first Happy Hours movie flops and they don’t end up completing the trilogy. It was also tarnish their “Dawson’s Creek” legacy.
This years-long project is also going to fuel incessant tabloid stories about the nature of Holmes and Jackson’s relationship: romantic or platonic? In fact, the National Enquirer, Star, and other gossip rags are already peddling bullshit about the one-time couple being a couple again. I have no patience for this and it’s just getting started.
As you’ll see in “Listicle Links” below, I’m not the only one anxious about how all this will play out. Jerrica Tisdale writes in Cinemablend:
“I will admit, I am a tiny bit nervous about seeing Holmes and Jackson on-screen together after 20+ years. What if the magic is gone? What if it feels forced? Teen me will never recover if they can’t recapture the spark in these movies.”
…
“Fortunately, these movies are not Dawson’s Creek reboots or continuations. I can live in peace knowing the perfect Creek finale will remain untouched (which were also some of the Pacey and Joey episodes I rewatched). However, Jackson and Holmes on screen together has a nostalgic quality to it.
Therefore, watching them together could make me more nostalgic and rewatch even more Pacey and Joey episodes, or it could make me not want to see them on screen together ever again. The latter would probably never happen, even if they lost all of their previous magic. I am fully committed to the Happy Hours trilogy, whether it’s good or bad.
However, there is a chance these films will haunt me if they’re not actually good, or if it becomes like one of those heartbreaking breakup movies. These things could kill my nostalgia buzz.”
Tisdale’s full article makes clear she is way more excited than I am — I am, actually, not excited at all — and she seems ready to watch with an open mind. I know I should be giving Holmes and Jackson the benefit of the doubt here. And I’d be lying if I said I haven’t liked some of the social media memes about Holmes and Jackson working together again. But knowing how Holmes’ past films have gone and how co-star reunions often disappoint, it’s hard.
I’m usually in the minority in not wanting revivals and reboots. I know I’m in the minority here, too. I just prefer leaving well enough alone. Reliving Joey and Pacey by rewatching “Dawson’s Creek” is enough. It’s enough.
I put most of this edition together before recent health issues prevented me from finishing it in the way that I normally would. I haven’t proofread this. I haven’t double-checked all the links. I haven’t done last-minute news, interview, and social media checks. I didn’t do all the things I normally spend hours doing the night before publication. I just wanted to get it out, instead of it continuing to sit. I’m sure there are mistakes — typos, incorrect links, etc. It’s not perfect, the standard to which I hold myself, because I can’t be perfect right now.
I actually can’t do much of anything right now, so I am going to take the next few weeks off and return as soon as I am able. TDW on Substack will mark its fifth anniversary in October, and I am looking forward to celebrating that milestone. I’m sorry that right now I can’t deliver the weekly teen drama news you’ve come to expect, but I know our fandom will remain strong.
In the meantime, should any breaking news warrant it, I’ll share in the TDW Substack Chat (join below), on Notes, and/or on Twitter.
Teen Drama Links for August 13, 2025
Listicle Links
Reminder: All lists and articles relate to the teen dramas or teen drama stars in some way.
“With The Joshua Jackson And Katie Holmes Movie Reunion, I Rewatched My Favorite Dawson’s Creek Episodes, And I Need To Talk About It” (Cinemablend)
“Joshua Jackson & Katie Holmes’ Reunion Proves That Iconic Ships Are Forever” (TV Fanatic)
“James Van Der Beek’s Cancer Journey: Everything the Actor Has Said About His Health” (People)
“All the Chanel Bags in Marissa Cooper’s Closet on ‘The O.C.’” (L’OFFICIEL)
“Chad Michael Murray’s Most Unforgettable Roles” (L’OFFICIEL)
“Chad Michael Murray’s Transformation: See Before and After Photos” (OK!)
“Chad Michael Murray Is Still My Dream Man” (Harper’s Bazaar)
“All About Chad Michael Murray’s Wife, Sarah Roemer” (People)
“The 10 Most Iconic Songs Featured in ‘Gossip Girl,’ Ranked” (Collider)
“15 TV Couples That Were Ruined in Their Final Seasons” (Swooon)
“21 TV shows that brought back dead love interests, from Grey's Anatomy to Teen Wolf” (Entertainment Weekly)
“20 iconic love interests who don't live happy ever after” (Yardbarker)
“20 actors written off of shows because of on-set problems” (Yardbarker)
Related: Teen Drama Actors Who Left Their Series (TDW)
“27 Things That TV Actors Loved or Hated About Their Shows’ (Cracked)
They talk about Penn Badgley (Dan, Gossip Girl) here but use a picture of Chace Crawford (Nate, Gossip Girl)…
“20 TV Shows That Were Nonstop Drama Behind the Scenes” (Cracked)
“10 classic shows on Stan that you need to watch before you die” (Mamamia)
“10 TV Show Twists That Fooled No One” (ComicBook.com)
“10 Most Exciting Upcoming TV Reboots & Revivals” (ComicBook.com)
Contrary to what this says, the “One Tree Hill” sequel series is not “official” yet.
Related: I’m Begging: No More Spinoffs, Reboots, or Revivals (TDW)
“27 of the most brilliant literary TV adaptations ever made — prepare to binge” (HELLO!)
“11 of the Most Iconic Beauty Looks in 21st Century TV Shows + Movies (So Far)” (Byrdie)
“38 Actors Who Almost Played Your Favorite Characters (Including Who Nearly Starred as Jack and Rose in Titanic!)” (People)
“10 TV Plot Twists I’m Still In Denial About” (Screen Rant)
“10 Episodes Of Network TV That Never Aired Because They Were So Controversial” (Screen Rant)
“All the angst, all the tea: The 22 best teen dramas to stream right now” (Entertainment Weekly)
“No One Can Deny The Power Of These 8 2000s TV Shows” (Screen Rant)
“Clocking in With Their Exes: Celebrity Couples Who Had to Work Together After Breaking Up” (OK!)
“Binge-worthy shows with even better music” (Melodic Magazine)
“‘Wednesday’ Creators Break Down Season 2 Part 1: The Origins of Lois, Morticia and Hester’s Psychic Trauma and Whether Tyler Can Be Rehabilitated” (Variety)
“‘Freakier Friday’ Cast and Character Guide: Who’s Who in the Long-Awaited Sequel?” (The Wrap)
“Freakier Friday cast: See their transformations from 2003 film to now” (HELLO!)
“Today in History: Tuesday, August 5, 2025” (Programming Insider)
“13 creative campaigns to know about today” (Ad Age)
Best of the Rest
Spelling Manor, famously built by Aaron Spelling (executive producer, Beverly Hills, 90210), was sold for $110 million to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. (The Wall Street Journal)
Elisa Donovan (Ginger, Beverly Hills, 90210) was on the “Pod Meets World” podcast. (Apple Podcasts)
Eva Longoria, who appeared on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” did interviews to promote “Necaxa.”
“LISTEN: Eva Longoria on Investing in Soccer and Immersing in Mexican Football Culture With Her New FX Docuseries ‘Necaxa’” (Variety)
“Why Eva Longoria Bet on ‘Necaxa’ & Why You Should Too” (Remezcla)
“Eva Longoria explains ‘no brainer’ Necaxa investment” (ESPN)
“Eva Longoria says drama of Mexican soccer team Necaxa is ‘something you can’t script’” (NBC News)
“Eva Longoria kicks it as "the boss" with 'Necaxa’” (ABC11)
Longoria will star in Amazon’s adaptation of The Last Sunrise. (Deadline)
Mike Chessler (co-creator, BH90210) is adapting his upcoming novel Mess into a TV series in collaboration with Chris Alberghini (co-creator, BH90210). (Deadline)
James Van Der Beek “reveals what colorectal cancer taught him about self-love.” (USA Today)
The aforementioned Holmes will star in a new production of Hedda Gabler next year. (TheaterMania)
Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek) will participate in a live reading of “Beverly Hills,” a daytime soap opera written by TVLine’s Michael Ausiello. (Deadline)
Seth Rogen (Bob, Dawson’s Creek) did a bunch more interviews tied to “The Studio” and “Platonic.”
“Seth Rogen Accidentally Tripped on Shrooms During Marc Maron's Podcast; Talks Platonic” (The Tonight Show)
“Seth Rogen Reacts to 'The Studio’s’ 23 Emmy Noms & Teases ‘Platonic’ S2 Mess” (Extra)
“Seth Rogen ‘Saved a Lot’ of His First Big Acting Paycheck Because He Was ‘Unconvinced’ He’d Get Another” (People)
“‘The Studio’: Seth Rogen on Why Record Emmy Noms Might Make His Life Easier and Adding Sarah Polley to Next Season’s Writers Room” (The Hollywood Reporter)
“‘Platonic’ Stars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne Break Down Will and Jenna’s Relationship and Season 2’s Bathroom Scene” (Variety)
“Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne Unpack ‘Platonic’ Season 2 Relationship Dynamic Shifts: ‘It’s a Constant Balance’” (The Wrap)
“Will Sylvia & Will End Up Together in ‘Platonic’? Cast & Creators Weigh In” (TV Insider)
“‘Platonic’s Seth Rogen On Will’s Wild Season 2 Wardrobe, His ‘Jenny from the Block’ Rap, And Wanting Rose Byrne On ‘The Studio’” (Decider)
“Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen's Platonic Partnership Could Expand to The Studio” (CBR)
“Seth Rogen’s 5 Favorite Places in L.A.” (The New York Times)
“Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne tease what is to come in ‘Platonic’ season 2” (ABC Audio)
“Seth Rogen & Rose Byrne on ‘Platonic’ perfection” (NBC New York)
“‘Platonic’ returns: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne talk season 2” (FOX32)
“Seth Rogen reveals the one storyline he pushed for most in Platonic season 2” (Radio Times)
“Seth Rogen on ‘Platonic’ Season 2, Mental Health & the Power of Real Friendship” (Muscle and Fitness)
…and more.
Jack Osbourne, who appeared as himself on “Dawson’s Creek,” broke his silence on the death of his father, Ozzy Osbourne. (Instagram)
Adam Brody (Seth, The O.C.) was the first guest on Deadline’s new video series, “Take Ten.” (Deadline)
Logan Marshall-Green (Trey, The O.C.) will star in the “Yellowstone” spinoff, “Y: Marshalls.” (Deadline)
It’s still not yet known if Kesley Asbille (Gigi, One Tree Hill) will be reprising her “Yellowstone” role on the new show.
Chris Pratt (Che, The O.C.) did interviews for the upcoming “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf” premiere.
“‘Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ Stars Share Real Veteran Involvement” (Today)
“Chris Pratt Tastes Jimmy’s Beefmaster Tomato; Talks Veterans Writing The Terminal List: Dark Wolf” (The Tonight Show)
There’s an additional clip.
“Chris Pratt Reveals If His Kids Liked His Beard On ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’” (Access Hollywood)
“Chris Pratt Reveals How He’s Celebrating Daughter Lyla’s Milestone 5th Birthday — and the Adorable Party Theme He Planned” (People)
“Chris Pratt Details ‘Beautiful Chaos’ at Home With Baby No. 4” (E! Online)
“Chris Pratt spotlights veterans behind ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’” (Associated Press)
“Chris Pratt and Luke Hemsworth break down ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf: From de-aging to brotherhood” (HOLA!)
Erin Foster (Heather, The O.C.) and Sara Foster (Jen, 90210) were on “The Bright Side” podcast. (Apple Podcasts)
Chris Brown (Will, The O.C.) received an MTV VMA nomination for Best R&B. (Deadline)
Brian Robbins (executive producer, One Tree Hill) has officially exited as co-CEO of Paramount Global and president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon following the closure of Skydance’s acquisition. (Deadline)
Chad Michael Murray (Lucas, One Tree Hill) did a ton more press for Freakier Friday.
“Chad Michael Murray Recalls Being Lindsay Lohan’s First Onscreen Kiss in Freaky Friday: ‘Nerve-Racking’” (People)
“Chad Michael Murray Shares Nostalgic Cast Memories from ‘Gilmore Girls,’ ‘One Tree Hill’ & More” (People)
“Chad Michael Murray Reveals He Prayed ‘Every Single Night’ for 2 Years for Sullivan’s Crossing Gig” (People)
“What Chad Michael Murray Watches (and Plays) With His Kids” (Vulture)
Also: “The Best Part of Freakier Friday Is Chad Michael Murray’s Broken Psyche” (Vulture)
“Chad Michael Murray Is Embracing His Dad Era” (Glamour)
“Chad Michael Murray Is Trying to Make Good Choices” (The New York Times)
This is one of the only times Murray has spoken explicitly about Mark Schwahn (creator, One Tree Hill) and his misconduct.
“Chad Michael Murray has a teen heartthrob legacy. He says its a ‘blessing’” (The Independent)
“Freakier Friday Confirms A Theory I Always Had About Jake, And Chad Michael Murray Told Me His True Thoughts About It” (Cinemablend)
“Chad Michael Murray: I Tried To Be Someone I Wasn’t” (Great Company)
“Agent Carter’s Chad Michael Murray Reveals What Happened to His Marvel Character” (ComicBook.com)
“Freakier Friday's Chad Michael Murray & Manny Jacinto Have More Franchises To Revive” (Screen Rant)
“Chad Michael Murray Reveals ‘Freakier Friday’ Includes a ‘Dirty Dancing’ Tribute — Thanks to This Star Wars Alum” (Collider)
“Freakier Friday’s Chad Michael Murray and Manny Jacinto take on a chaotic mystery interview” (CapitalFM)
“Chad Michael Murray & Manny Jacinto Take The Big Freakier Friday Cast Quiz” (Hits Radio)
“Manny Jacinto & Chad Michael Murray’s 00s Memories” (ITN)
“‘Gilmore Girls!’ Chad Michael Murray and Manny Jacinto | Freakier Friday | Perfect Pairings” (Metro)
“Freakier Friday’s Chad Michael Murray & Manny Jacinto Talk Gen-Z Slangs, Nostalgia, Jamie” (SHOWSHA)
“The Freakier Friday Cast Guess Gen Z Slang Words” (VT)
“The ‘Freakier Friday’ Cast Just Found Out Which Characters They’re Most Like, And Now You Can, Too” (BuzzFeed)
Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) was on the “My Legacy Podcast.” (Apple Podcasts)
Brittany Snow (Young Lily, Gossip Girl) did more interviews for “The Hunting Party” and a Yankee Candles partnership.
“Brittany Snow on Her Mom's The Hunting Wives Watch Party and Unwinding with Murder Mystery Podcasts” (Late Night)
“‘The Hunting Wives’: Brittany Snow, Katie Lowes and Rebecca Cutter Answer Burning Season 1 Questions” (Entertainment Tonight)
“‘We Wanted to Shock People’: Brittany Snow on Making The Hunting Wives” (Glamour)
“What Brittany Snow Can’t Live Without” (New York)
Krysten Ritter (Young Carol, Gossip Girl) did interviews tied to “Dexter: Resurrection.”
“Krysten Ritter Talks ‘Slipping Back Into Character’ As Jessica Jones & ‘Hitting It Off Immediately’ With Michael C. Hall” (Deadline)
“Krysten Ritter Talks ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ Surprise Reveal & Observing Michael C. Hall At Work: ‘What A Masterclass’” (Deadline)
“Latest ‘Dexter’ Victim Teases Another Resurrection: ‘I Wouldn’t Count Anything Out’” (The Hollywood Reporter)
“‘Dexter: Resurrection’ Stars Michael C. Hall, Krysten Ritter and More on That Serial Killer Party and Dexter’s ‘Buffet of Worthy Victims’” (Variety)
“Dexter: Resurrection’s Michael C. Hall and Krysten Ritter Detail Killer Dinner Party, Dexter and Mia’s Instant Connection” (TVLine)
“‘Dexter: Resurrection’: Krysten Ritter, Eric Stonestreet & David Dastmalchian on the New Serial Killer Crew” (TV Insider)
“‘Dexter: Resurrection’: Michael C. Hall & Krysten Ritter On The Return Of Dexter, Dinner Party Killers, & Jessica Jones’ MCU Comeback” (The Playlist)
“Krysten Ritter Was Originally Cast In Dexter 19 Years Before Resurrection – Why She Turned Down Her OG Role” (Screen Rant)
“‘Dexter: Resurrection’s Krysten Ritter Teases Mia’s Fate After Episode 6’s Wild Twist: ‘I Wouldn’t Count Me Out Yet’” (Collider)
Adam Chanler-Berat (Jordan, Gossip Girl spinoff) will star in a dinner show called Slanted Floors this fall. (Playbill)
Keke Palmer (Elizabeth, 90210) is making the media rounds for The Pickup, which also features the aforementioned Longoria.
“Keke Palmer Says Her Career Evolved from Child Star to a ‘Meme’ — and That’s Just the Start: (People)
“Keke Palmer Recalls Meeting Eddie Murphy in Pajamas Playing Guitar: ‘The Sickest Thing’” (People)
“Keke Palmer was ‘comfortable’ filming steamy scenes with Pete Davidson: ‘He’ pretty well-liked in the female world’” (Entertainment Weekly)
“Keke Palmer reflects on working with Eddie Murphy: ‘Definitely a dream come true’” (REVOLT)
“Keke Palmer Is a Good Vibe” (Parents)
“Keke Palmer on working with Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett comparisons, and being a working mom” (Audacy)
“‘Pickup’ stars Murphy, Palmer bonded over ‘Nutty Professor’” (UPI)
“‘The Pickup’s Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer reveal what it was like to work with Eddie Murphy” (Mashable)
“Pete Davidson & Keke Palmer Dish On The Pickup’s WWE Cameo” (Screen Rant)
Meghan Markle, who appeared on “90210,” and husband Prince Harry have extended their production deal with Netflix. (Deadline)
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