James Van Der Beek's Teen Series Is a Streaming Success 28 Years On

When Dawson's Creek premiered in 1998 there was nothing like it on television. The teen drama sparked controversy before the first episode aired because it tackled topics then seen as taboo — sex, teen pregnancies, mental health, religion and sexuality. Created by Kevin Williamson, the series ran six seasons and ended in 2003, but its impact on television remains visible.

Twenty-eight years after the pilot, the show is seeing renewed interest on streaming, especially VOD, with FlixPatrol data showing Dawson's Creek rising up Apple TV's charts. The surge coincides with the sad passing of James Van Der Beek, who played Dawson Leery; the actor died last week after a long battle with colorectal cancer.

Such spikes are common after a major star's death, as seen with Catherine O'Hara's passing a few weeks ago, and may be driving viewers back to Van Der Beek's most famous role.

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