Two decades after Dawson’s Creek captivated audiences, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson are reuniting for the romantic film trilogy Happy Hours, igniting nostalgia and speculation among fans. Announced on July 21, 2025, the project sees Holmes, 46, writing, directing, and starring alongside Jackson, 47, as former lovers reconnecting in a “character-driven dramedy.” But it’s their off-screen chemistry—spotted during late-night rehearsals and cozy coffee breaks in New York City—that has fans wondering if this on-screen reunion could hint at a real-life love story restart.
Holmes and Jackson, beloved as Joey Potter and Pacey Witter, were a fan-favorite couple on Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003), with their slow-burn romance defining the show. Their real-life relationship during the first season added authenticity, with Holmes telling Rolling Stone in 1998, “I fell in love… it was something so incredible.” Though their romance ended, they remained friends, and their recent collaboration has reignited excitement. Photos of the duo laughing on set, shared widely on X, show Holmes’ signature Joey smile and Jackson’s Pacey-esque smirk, prompting posts like, “Joey and Pacey are back! Is this real life too?” and “Their chemistry is unreal!”
Happy Hours follows two people navigating love, careers, and family, a premise that echoes Joey and Pacey’s journey. Holmes, who has directed films like Rare Objects (2023), called the project a “testament to friendship” in an Instagram post, while Jackson, recently divorced from Jodie Turner-Smith, praised their bond on a 2025 podcast. Their single status—Holmes split from Tom Cruise in 2012—has fueled speculation, with X users noting, “Both single, working closely… something’s brewing.” Sightings of them grabbing coffee and working late have only amplified the buzz.
Fans are divided: some see their dynamic as professional, others hope for romance. “They’re just good friends,” one X post argued, while another countered, “That spark isn’t just acting!” Pop culture expert Zorianna Zurba told CBC News the reunion taps into millennial nostalgia, offering “hope for the future” as fans relive their youth. The trilogy’s cast, including Mary-Louise Parker and Constance Wu, adds star power, but it’s Holmes and Jackson’s history that drives the hype.
As Happy Hours films in NYC, the question lingers: is this just a movie, or could their past spark a new chapter? For now, fans are glued to every update, eager for both the trilogy and any hint of real-life romance.
