Katie Holmes Directing ‘Happy Hours’ and Reuniting With Joshua Jackson After ‘Dawson’s Creek’

The Tribeca Festival premiere of Happy Hours on June 6, 2026, marked a significant professional milestone for Katie Holmes, who wrote, directed, and starred in the romantic dramedy. 

The project has garnered intense industry interest primarily for the reunion of Holmes and her former Dawson’s Creek co-star Joshua Jackson, marking the first time the pair has worked together in 25 years. Far from a nostalgia-driven reboot, the film explores the complexities of adult reconnection as newly divorced photographer Liz, played by Holmes, encounters travel writer Andrew McCloud, portrayed by Jackson. The film is intended to be the first entry in a trilogy that charts the evolving dynamics of its central characters across different stages of life.  

Quick Facts

• Director: Katie Holmes  

• Release Date: June 6, 2026 (Tribeca Festival)  

• Lead Cast: Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary-Louise Parker, Constance Wu, Joe Tippett  

• Genre: Romantic Dramedy  

• Runtime: 90 Minutes  

• Production Companies: Maven Screen Media, Bond Street Station, STX Films  

While the public narrative centers on the Dawson’s Creek connection, the project’s actual tension lies in the shift from adolescent archetypes to the grounded, often messy realities of late-thirty-something intimacy. Holmes has been vocal about the necessity of this creative distance, noting that she and Jackson were deliberate about avoiding a character echo of their past roles. The shorthand between the two actors remains evident in their performance, yet the film positions itself as a distinct departure from the teen-drama genre that originally defined their careers. By anchoring the story in a contemporary New York City setting, Holmes attempts to strip away the gloss of the "reunion" trope to focus on the vulnerability of middle-aged romance.

The film’s broader appeal is bolstered by an ensemble cast including Mary-Louise Parker and Constance Wu, who serve as comedic and emotional anchors for the central narrative. Despite the high-profile nature of the production, the film’s ultimate success hinges on whether audiences can move past the inevitable comparisons to the Capeside era. The genuine artistic risk here is not the reunion itself—it is the challenge of establishing a new, coherent cinematic language for characters who are already burdened by the baggage of the actors' collective history.  

FAQs

Is Happy Hours a sequel to Dawson’s Creek?

No, Happy Hours is an entirely original romantic dramedy written and directed by Katie Holmes and is not related to Dawson’s Creek. While the film features a reunion between former co-stars Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, it serves as the first entry in a new, independent film trilogy.  

Who directed the film Happy Hours?

Happy Hours was written and directed by Katie Holmes, who also stars in the lead role of Liz.  

What is the plot of Happy Hours?

Happy Hours follows Liz, a newly divorced professional photographer living in New York City, who unexpectedly reconnects with her high school boyfriend, Andrew McCloud, played by Joshua Jackson. The film explores their attempt to reconcile their past connection while navigating the realities of their current lives as adults.  

Where can I watch Happy Hours?

Happy Hours premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Festival on June 6, 2026, and is currently navigating its initial festival circuit and release strategy.  

Which other actors are in the cast of Happy Hours?

In addition to Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, the film features performances from Mary-Louise Parker, Constance Wu, Joe Tippett, John McGinty, and Jack Martin.