Dawson Leery
James Van Der Beek
Dawson lives in his own world, trying to have a storyboarded life that is played out just like a movie. He idolises Steven Spielberg and is obsessived with making movies. His parents are Gale and Mitch.

Joey Potter
Katie Holmes
Life long friends with Dawson, their friendship is the epiphany of innocence. Joey lives with her sister and her sister's boyfriend due to her mother dieing and her father being in prison.

Pacey Witter
Joshua Jackson
Considered the outsider / loser of the community, Pacey is best friends with Dawson. He has a strict dad but it doesn't stop him acting him. His relationship with a teacher was that could be talked about when the first season of DC first aired.

Jen Lindley
Michelle Williams
The first episode saw new girl Jen arrive in Capeside from New York due to her parents finding her in bed with a guy. Dawon fell in love with her the minute she arrived although there was competition for the fair ladies hand.