The 2024 Emmy Awards were a night of celebration, honoring the best in television, but for actor Joshua Jackson, it also became a moment of unexpected nostalgia. As Jackson, 46, took the stage alongside fellow actor Matt Bomer to present the Governors Award to iconic producer Greg Berlanti, he was surprised by a familiar song playing in the background: “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole, the theme song to Dawson’s Creek, the show that made him a household name.
The Emmy Awards, held on September 15 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, brought out TV’s biggest stars, but for Jackson, it also became a personal blast from the past. With a smile, Jackson quipped, “Ah, yes, this song,” acknowledging the soundtrack that fans still associate with his role as Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003).
While presenting Berlanti with the prestigious Governors Award, Jackson took a moment to reflect on his own experience working on Dawson’s Creek, particularly highlighting Berlanti’s groundbreaking work. “TV history was made on Dawson’s Creek as Greg was the first writer-producer to show a gay kiss on primetime between two teenagers, and that was back in 2000,” Jackson said, referencing the landmark moment in television history.
He continued, “I remember being so proud to be part of that show, and at the same time, I didn’t understand how big it was. Greg gave us a beautiful, relatable, and, yes, the first portrait of a gay teen, who acted on his desires with the same anxiety everyone has over their first kiss.”
The scene Jackson referred to, between characters Jack (Kerr Smith) and Ethan (Adam Kaufman) during the third season, was a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation on TV, something that Berlanti has been celebrated for throughout his career.
“Like all visionary producers, he is one step ahead of the audience with his shows,” Jackson continued. “He opens the door, and as we go through, we realize we are more comfortable with characters having real-life experiences than we ever could have imagined.”
Greg Berlanti has since gone on to become a force in television, known for his work on Brothers & Sisters, Everwood, Political Animals, Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and You. His influence on modern television, particularly his dedication to inclusive storytelling, earned him the prestigious recognition at the Emmys.
The moment between Jackson, Bomer, and Berlanti was a beautiful intersection of past and present, as Jackson reflected on how far television has come since the days of Dawson’s Creek, all while acknowledging the iconic work Berlanti has done to shape its future.