This award-winning series that became the template for teen dramas chronicles the coming-of-age journey of four friends in a small New England town. The series focuses on the lifelong friendship between Dawson (James Van Der Beek), an aspiring filmmaker, and Joey (Katie Holmes), whose difficult childhood forced her to grow up too quickly. As their relationship swings between longtime companions and love interests, their bond is tested by Joey's relationship with Dawson's best friend Pacey (Joshua Jackson), and later by Dawson's dalliance with Jen (Michele Williams), the beautiful new girl in town. In its final seasons, the friends move on into life after high school, as a show that set out to capture adolescent anxiety and first kisses goes on to confront issues including mortality, infidelity, homosexuality and betrayal.