Dawson's Creek is a show that changed the game for teen television during its run on The WB from 1998-2003, and it kickstarted the careers of some young actors who would go on to become stars in their own right. The series was anchored by some adult characters, however. Gail and Mitch Leery were major presences in the series as Dawson's parents, and Gail's second wedding is what brought everybody back together in the series finale. Actress Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Gail throughout all six seasons, has revealed that she would be on board for a Dawson's Creek revival, saying this:
I would love for them to do a four-episode arc, and tie up some loose ends. I never say never. I know there's rumours. I know everybody talks about it.
Mary-Margaret Humes was pretty clear in her comments to Digital Spy that she's not suggesting a full-on revival, a la Will and Grace or even The X-Files. Four episodes would be enough to check back in with the characters, get a look at their lives 15 years after the finale, and say goodbye to them once more, perhaps with more closure than the first time around. The series finale was initially going through very significant changes in the writing process, even going so far as to switch Joey from ending up with Dawson to ending up with Pacey. Perhaps a revival would enable the show to settle things a bit more.
As it happens, Mary-Margaret Humes has the support of another Dawson's Creek star when it comes to a revival, although his participation might not actually work. John Wesley Shipp played Mitch Leery until early in Season 5, when the character was killed in a car accident. Nevertheless, Shipp--who gained new fame in recent years thanks to roles on The Flash--would be on board for a revival as well:
Having been involved in a highly successful reboot of a project that I was involved in, I would never say no to a Dawson's Creek revival categorically.
John Wesley Shipp certainly does know how successful series can be when brought back to the airwaves, although The CW's The Flash isn't a revival of his original Flash series. Still, it's hard to imagine how he would fit into a revival when his character was killed and his wife remarried on the show. Flashbacks would be a possibility if fewer years had passed. Then again, Roseanne is bringing John Goodman back for the revival despite his character's death. Maybe a Dawson's Creek revival could pull something similar.
All of this said, a revival isn't likely in the cards. The actors who played Dawson's parents may be on board, but a revival almost certainly couldn't happen without at least James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson on board. Katie Holmes has come right out and said that she doesn't think Dawson's Creek could work as a revival nowadays. For his part, James Van Der Beek was super uncomfortable talking about the show back in March, and he more recently said that the show went off the rails back in Season 2. Something tells me he won't be dying to reprise his role as Dawson.
If you're now in the mood for a Dawson's Creek rewatch, you can catch the full series streaming on Hulu. For the shows that are soon to leave the airwaves, take a look at our rundown of all the TV cancellations in 2017. Our midseason TV guide can let you know when your shows will be back in 2018.
