Dawson's Creek

Dawson's Creek follows a tight circle of friends growing up in a small coastal town as they move from high school into college. Dawson Leery is an idealistic aspiring filmmaker whose long friendship with Joey Potter gets complicated by romantic feelings and rivalries. Jen Lindley arrives from New York as an outsider wrestling with her past, while Pacey Witter provides comic relief and unexpected depth, and Jack McPhee's story brings issues of sexuality into the group's dynamic. Episodes focus on relationships, family tensions, sexual identity, and the choices that steer each character's future, mixing soap-style plot twists with moments of honest conversation. Set in the fictional New England town of Capeside, the series pairs teen angst with earnest, talky moments.

Created by Kevin Williamson, Dawson's Creek debuted on The WB in 1998 and ran for six seasons, shaping late 1990s teen television and helping launch its young cast's careers. It helped define The WB's teen brand and influenced later programming.

The series attracted widespread attention at youth-focused awards and among television critics, with several cast members earning early-career nominations. The exposure helped raise profiles and led to further industry recognition as the actors moved into film and adult television roles.

Dawson's Creek influenced a generation of teen dramas by foregrounding articulate, self-aware teen dialogue and by tackling topics like sexuality and family conflict on network television. Its stars went on to major film and TV careers, and the show remains a frequent reference in reunion pieces, retrospectives, and online nostalgia.

Critics and viewers vary on its tone, with many praising the sharp, talky scripts while others pointed to soapier plotting. The series' 7.321/10 user vote average reflects enduring fan interest, maintaining a devoted audience among 90s nostalgia fans. Major themes include friendship, identity, first love, ambition, and sexual coming out.