Joshua Jackson and Busy Philipps stunned fans on Monday night when they locked lips during a live Dawson’s Creek reunion, more than two decades after their on-screen romance first played out on the iconic teen drama.
The 47-year-old actor, beloved as Pacey Witter, and Philipps, 45, who joined the series in season five as Audrey Liddell, sent the audience at New York City’s Richard Rodgers Theatre into a frenzy as they passionately kissed on stage.
Although Philipps originally played Joey’s college roommate and Pacey’s girlfriend, for the reunion she stepped into the role of Pacey’s scandalous first lover: his high school English teacher, Tamara Jacobs.
Reenacting one of the show’s most controversial storylines, Jackson teased in character: ‘You fantasize about what it would be like to be with that young boy on the verge of manhood. Cause it helps you stay feeling attractive. Well, let me tell you something. You blew it lady, because I’m the best sex you’ll never have!’
Philipps delivered the infamous comeback line — ‘You’re wrong about one thing, Pacey. You’re not a boy’ — before dramatically pulling him in for a steamy kiss that had fans gasping, shrieking, and cheering in disbelief.
Social media exploded immediately after, with one fan calling the moment ‘every millennial’s dream.’Â
Joshua Jackson and Busy Philipps stunned fans on Monday night when they locked lips during a live Dawson’s Creek reunion; seen on September 22, 2025
Philipps, meanwhile, admitted her own family wasn’t as impressed, joking on Instagram that her ‘children in the audience were not thrilled.’
The kiss overshadowed nearly everything else from the nostalgic night, which reunited Jackson with original co-stars Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams for a staged reading of the pilot episode.Â
The event benefitted James Van Der Beek’s F Cancer initiative, as the actor battles stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Van Der Beek, who was too ill to attend, introduced the performance via video while Lin-Manuel Miranda filled in to read Dawson’s role.Â
‘I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,’ James — who portrayed the character of Dawson Leery in the teen drama — shared in the video.
‘I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.’
Even Steven Spielberg popped up in a surprise cameo message to Dawson, quipping: ‘Maybe someday, I will get to have a Dawson’s closet.’
Dawson’s Creek aired from 1998 through 2003 on The WB and garnered a number of accolades during its time on the air, such as a Teen Choice Award in 2000 for TV – Choice Drama.Â
The 47-year-old actor and Philipps, 45, who joined the series in season five as Audrey Liddell, sent the audience at Richard Rodgers Theatre into a frenzy as they kissed on stage (pictured during their Dawson’s Creek days)
Although Philipps originally played Joey’s college roommate and Pacey’s girlfriend, for the reunion she stepped into the role of Pacey’s scandalous first lover: his high school teacher
Social media exploded immediately after, with one fan calling the moment ‘every millennial’s dream’
The show followed the group from high school through college in the sleepy town of Capeside.
Last year in November, James revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis.
At the time, the star said that he had been ‘privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it with the support’ from his loved ones.
‘I have colorectal cancer. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,’ he told People.
A few months earlier in July, the star gave an update amid his cancer battle during an interview on Today.
He explained that he has made major lifestyle changes such as focusing on a healthier diet and doing yoga.
‘The beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job, I’m just on the journey.’
The Hollywood actor added: ‘it’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.’
The event benefitted James Van Der Beek’s F Cancer initiative, as the actor battles stage 3 colorectal cancerÂ
The entire cast of Dawson’s Creek reunited for the first time in 22 years at the Richard Rodgers Theatre for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer (seen in 1997)
The in March, the star opened up about his cancer journey as he marked his 48th birthday, telling his followers that the last year ‘has been the hardest of my life’.Â
Labeling the clip ‘What Cancer Taught Me,’ the Dawson’s Creek alum described how coming ‘nose to nose with Death,’ had helped him redefine who he is.
He said being away from his family for treatment and living alone in an apartment had forced him to ‘look my own mortality in the eye’.
As he was contemplating his identity, the Vampirina voice actor said, ‘I was faced with the question, “If I am just a too-skinny, weak guy, alone in an apartment with cancer, what am I?”‘
The Downsizing actor said he was meditating on that question, when he got an answer regarding what he considered his diminished status.
‘I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own?’ he asked.
The Varsity Blues star then encouraged those watching the video to try to incorporate the message into their own lives, regardless of their beliefs.
