Teen drama Dawson's Creek, the most talked-about series of
midseason, quickly became the network's top-rated show,
outperforming the hip Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Though Dawson's ratings are tiny by network TV standards, the
show is a sensation with spinoff books, calendars and Web sites
(57 at last count). Already, the show's young actors are
magazine cover staples.
The coming-of-age serial about four teens in fictional Capeside,
Mass., stars James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua
Jackson and Michelle Williams, all of whom are spending their
summer hiatus making movies (Varsity Blues, Disturbing
Behavior, Urban Legends and the Halloween sequel H20,
respectively).
A guide to what to look for on Dawson's next season:
Where we left things: Joey (Holmes), Dawson's (Van Der
Beek) best friend for years, has declared her love for him. They sealed the season with a kiss.
The season opener: Deals with the ramifications of the kiss and which direction Dawson wants his life to head.
A new night: Starting in September, the show is moving from Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT to Wednesdays at 8 (in the USA). In Canada the show will be moved from Monday at 8:00pm to Friday at 9:00pm(ET).
Cast additions: A sister and brother (not yet cast) from a once wealthy family move to Capeside. The sister begins working at a restaurant with Joey, who later becomes involved with the
brother. Abby (Monica Kina), seen on the episode set in a detention hall that was an homage to The Breakfast Club, will become a recurring character. And look for the return of Tamara(Leann Hunley), a.k.a. Miss Jacobs, the thirtysomething former teacher who romanced Dawson's pal Pacey(Jackson). This time around, she'll be involved with a different Creeker and have a new profession.
Any changes for the family hour?: The edgy story lines and sexually charged chatter "will be the same as last year," says executive producer Paul Stupin. "The time slot change has not
affected a single element."
Held back a year: Last season, the kids were sophomores. This year, they're still 10th-graders and will remain so all season. But Stupin says they'll get to be juniors in the third season.
Why the show clicked with teens: "The subjects they talk about and the confusion and sense of vulnerability they feel are universal," Stupin says. "The writing was right on and the casting turned out wonderfully. We were lucky to find four actors whose faces light up the screen."
By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY
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