In what feels like a perfectly scripted manifestation of late-90s pop culture nostalgia, actors Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson have sent the internet into an absolute frenzy. The former Dawson’s Creek co-stars, whose on-screen chemistry as Joey Potter and Pacey Witter defined a generation of teen television, are not only reuniting for a brand-new cinematic project, but are also actively fueling rumors of a real-life romantic rekindling. The speculative firestorm began in earnest this week when eagle-eyed fans noticed that Holmes, 47, was quietly “liking” several social media comments suggesting that she and Jackson, 45, “should be a couple.” This subtle digital endorsement of a potential romance comes as the pair ramps up their press tour, having recently been photographed looking incredibly comfortable together on the red carpet at the New York Gala screening of Brunello: The Gracious Visionary on April 14, 2026.
The professional catalyst for this highly anticipated reunion is Happy Hours, an upcoming New York City-set drama slated to premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival on June 6. The film represents a major creative milestone for Holmes, who not only stars in the feature but also wrote and directed it. The plot, appropriately enough, centers on two former lovers who unexpectedly cross paths and are forced to navigate the emotional fallout of a relationship that ended years ago without proper closure. According to industry insiders, Holmes specifically tailored the male lead for Jackson. Jackson himself enthusiastically confirmed this during a March appearance on the Today show, raving about the script and stating, “Katie wrote this beautiful story for the two of us. There are these people in your life—she’s a lifelong friend now—and for us to be able to go back and do this again, and play these characters, is an absolute gift.” The film boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Mary-Louise Parker, Constance Wu, and Joe Tippett.
What makes the current rumor mill so captivating is the couple’s deeply intertwined history. Holmes and Jackson briefly, but famously, dated in real life for about a year during the early seasons of Dawson’s Creek between 1998 and 1999. Holmes once famously referred to Jackson as her “first love” in a vintage Rolling Stone interview. They managed to remain amicable co-stars until the WB drama wrapped in 2003, subsequently embarking on highly publicized separate paths—Holmes’s high-profile marriage to Tom Cruise and subsequent relationship with Jamie Foxx, and Jackson’s long-term relationships with Diane Kruger and marriage to Jodie Turner-Smith. Now, both actors find themselves single in their late 40s, collaborating on a deeply intimate, romantic project. While their representatives have steadfastly declined to comment on their official relationship status, the undeniable chemistry and Holmes’s cheeky Instagram activity have thoroughly convinced fans that Joey and Pacey might finally be endgame in the real world.
