Joshua Jackson Reflects on His “Hunger Games”Audition for Dawson’s Creek
Joshua Jackson recently shared his intriguing experience of auditioning for the iconic TV show Dawson’s Creek, likening the process to a contest reminiscent of The Hunger Games. This revelation came during his appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast.
Intense Audition Process
In recounting his journey, Jackson revealed that he underwent a series of nine auditions, moving from the role of Dawson to Pacey and back again. Ultimately, he secured the role of Pacey Witter, while James Van Der Beek was cast as Dawson Leery. The audition experience, he noted, was anything but typical.
A Unique Audition Setting
During the final audition phase, Jackson found himself at the Warner Brothers Ranch, a venue he questioned whether still exists. He described entering a Quonset hut where a quirky scene unfolded: “There’s a giant gong and a woman at the desk whose job it is to say, ‘W, W, WB,’ every time she answers the phone,” he nostalgically recalled, humorously imitating the network’s jingle.
The Contest Atmosphere
Jackson emphasized the surreal nature of the auditions, claiming, “You spend literally the entire day getting called in groups.” He described the tension as a kind of “Hunger Games moment,” where actors exited the audition only to find that some were no longer present, eliminated from contention. He spent hours waiting, immersed in a tense yet strange atmosphere until he eventually heard the fateful gong.
A Memorable Moment
As he exited the restroom, he was met with an unexpected sight: a crowd of Warner Brothers executives staring at him, Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams. “I joked that this must be where they eat us,” he said, but thankfully, they delivered the news all actors hoped for: “Congratulations. You just got the job.”
Gratitude and Reflection
After receiving the casting news, Jackson admitted to being oblivious to which role he had secured initially, feeling somewhat uneasy in the environment. “That’s how they used to do their castings,” he explained. He humorously noted how bizarre it was, suggesting that someone at the studio might have realized, “This is not great. This is weird.”
Impact of Dawson’s Creek
Dawson’s Creek, which aired for six seasons from 1998 to 2003, followed a group of friends navigating the complexities of adolescence and early adulthood in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts. Reflecting on his time in the series, Jackson acknowledged the significant impact it had on his life, stating, “I was astonishingly appreciative of the paycheck and the change that that made in my life.” He expressed his gratitude for being afforded the opportunity to pursue his passion for acting every day.