The 'Pacey And Joey' Comeback: Inside Katie Holmes And Joshua Jackson's Professional Reunion And Rekindled Romance Rumors In 2025
The ultimate ’90s nostalgia bomb has officially exploded in Hollywood, igniting a firestorm of speculation about a rekindled romance between two of the decade’s most beloved stars. As of late 2024 and throughout 2025, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson—forever known to fans as the iconic "Pacey and Joey" from Dawson's Creek—are not just reuniting; they are collaborating intensely on a major new professional project. This highly anticipated on-set reunion comes at a pivotal time, especially following Jackson’s recent high-profile divorce, leading to widespread rumors that their decades-long, close friendship has casually blossomed back into something more, decades after they first dated on the set of the hit teen drama.
The core of this current frenzy centers on the production of Happy Hours, an upcoming romantic dramedy that Katie Holmes is writing, directing, and starring in, with Joshua Jackson as her co-star. This fresh collaboration is a significant professional step for both actors, but it’s the on-screen chemistry—and the palpable connection off-screen—that has the media and fans alike in a nostalgic chokehold. For many, this isn't just a movie; it’s the real-life resolution to the famous *Dawson's Creek* love triangle that defined a generation.
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson: A Dual Biography and Career Snapshot
To fully appreciate the significance of their 2025 reunion, one must understand the individual journeys that brought these two stars back together. Both Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson have maintained successful careers that balance blockbuster appeal with critically acclaimed independent projects, often pivoting between television and film.
Katie Holmes (Kate Noelle Holmes)
- Born: December 18, 1978 (Toledo, Ohio, USA).
- Key Role: Joey Potter on *Dawson's Creek* (1998–2003).
- Major Film Roles: Jackie Kennedy in *The Kennedys*, Rachel Dawes in *Batman Begins*, *Disturbing Behavior*, *Go*, and her directorial efforts like *Alone Together* and *Rare Objects*.
- Notable Relationships: Joshua Jackson (first love on *Dawson's Creek* set), actor Chris Klein (engaged 2003-2005), actor Tom Cruise (married 2006-2012, mother to Suri Cruise), actor/musician Jamie Foxx, chef Emilio Vitolo Jr., and musician Bobby Wooten III.
- Current Focus: Filmmaker—writing, directing, and starring in her own independent projects, including the upcoming *Happy Hours*.
Joshua Jackson (Joshua Carter Jackson)
- Born: June 11, 1978 (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada).
- Key Role: Pacey Witter on *Dawson's Creek* (1998–2003).
- Major TV Roles: Peter Bishop on the Fox sci-fi series *Fringe* (2008–2013), Cole Lockhart on *The Affair*, and Bill Richardson in *Little Fires Everywhere*.
- Major Film Roles: The *Mighty Ducks* trilogy, *Cruel Intentions*, *The Skulls*, and *Urban Legend*.
- Notable Relationships: Katie Holmes, actress Brittany Daniel, actress Diane Kruger (long-term relationship 2006-2016), and actress/model Jodie Turner-Smith (married 2019, divorced 2025, father to daughter Juno Jackson).
- Current Focus: Leading man in prestige television and film, with a recent focus on complex, dramatic roles.
The 'Happy Hours' Project: Decades of Chemistry on Full Display
The news of their on-screen collaboration for the film *Happy Hours* broke in late 2024 and immediately captivated the entertainment world. This is not a simple cameo; Jackson is co-starring in a film that Holmes has spearheaded as the creative force.
The movie is described as a romantic dramedy about a couple navigating the complexities of their relationship amidst the pressures of careers and family life. The plot itself mirrors a mature, real-world version of a Pacey and Joey narrative, which is a key element fueling the current buzz. The production has been underway in New York City, and sources close to the stars suggest the chemistry is undeniable, bringing decades of shared history and professional respect to the set.
For fans of *Dawson's Creek*, this reunion is particularly poignant. The characters they played, Joey Potter and Pacey Witter, were defined by their intense, slow-burn romance that ultimately triumphed over the show's titular character, Dawson Leery. Seeing Holmes and Jackson together again, playing a couple facing adult challenges, feels like a poetic continuation of their fictional love story.
The Context: Divorce, Friendship, and the 'Rekindled Romance' Rumors
The timing of the *Happy Hours* production is crucial to the rumors. Joshua Jackson’s divorce from his wife, actress Jodie Turner-Smith, was finalized in May 2025. The former couple, who share a daughter, Juno Jackson, reached a settlement that included child support payments. This return to single status for Jackson, coinciding with his intense professional collaboration with Holmes, immediately set the rumor mill into overdrive.
Jackson himself has been open about his enduring connection with Holmes. In a 2025 podcast appearance, he confirmed that he and Katie are "very close," a statement that only amplified the reconciliation speculation. Their relationship began as a real-life romance during the first season of *Dawson's Creek* in the late 1990s, with Holmes often referring to Jackson as her first love. This deep, shared history provides a foundation that few celebrity exes can claim.
Are Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson Dating Again?
While the professional collaboration is confirmed, the status of a romantic relationship remains in the realm of speculation, albeit very strong speculation. Multiple reports in late 2024 and early 2025 suggested that the former couple were enjoying a "casual romance" or a "rekindled connection" while filming in New York City.
Sources indicate that the reunion is "fun" for Holmes, who has maintained a relatively private dating life since her divorce from Tom Cruise and subsequent relationships with Jamie Foxx and others. The narrative is less about a dramatic, committed comeback and more about two established professionals—and lifelong friends—enjoying a lighthearted, familiar connection at a moment when both are single.
The idea of a "casual romance" is a compelling, mature twist on their original young love. It suggests a bond that transcends the pressures of Hollywood, rooted in a shared past and a deep, mutual understanding. Fans are hopeful that the on-screen chemistry in *Happy Hours* is a direct reflection of the real-life sparks flying between the two stars.
The Impact of the 'Pacey and Joey' Legacy
The enduring popularity of *Dawson's Creek*, and specifically the Pacey and Joey storyline, is a testament to the power of their original chemistry. The show, which ran on The WB network, was a cultural phenomenon that launched the careers of not only Holmes and Jackson but also James Van Der Beek (Dawson Leery) and Michelle Williams (Jen Lindley). The debate over who Joey should end up with—Dawson or Pacey—remains one of television's most famous love triangles.
Their reunion on *Happy Hours* is a gift to this dedicated fanbase. It allows viewers to project their long-held hopes for Pacey and Joey onto the real-life actors, providing a sense of closure and continuity that is rare in television history. The film's subject matter—a couple navigating their relationship—is essentially a meta-commentary on their own journey, from young co-stars and first loves to mature artists collaborating decades later.
Whether the rumors of a rekindled romance prove to be true or not, the professional partnership between Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson is the biggest celebrity story of 2025. It is a powerful narrative about second chances, enduring friendship, and the cyclical nature of life and love in the spotlight. The release of *Happy Hours* is poised to be an event not just for film lovers, but for anyone who ever believed that Pacey Witter was the right choice for Joey Potter.
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