Since 1983, more than 400 film-related projects have been filmed in Wilmington & North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast, often affectionately referred to as "Hollywood East."  DAWSON'S CREEK, Sony Pictures Television's popular hour-long drama that airs on The WB and other cable stations, is among the many productions made in this region. Filmed in historic Wilmington and nearby island beaches (Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure) and Southport, North Carolina, DAWSON'S CREEK chronicles with wry humor the undeniably intense period of awakening known as the teenage years. A startlingly fresh and realistic portrayal of this passage from adolescence to young adulthood, "Dawson's Creek" wrapped its sixth and final season in 2003. On the show, NC's Cape Fear Coast doubles as "Capeside," a small fictitious coastal town in Massachusetts, as well as for other locales.  During the show's fifth and sixth seasons (2001-2003), filming also took place in the Durham and Raleigh, North Carolina.

DAWSON'S CREEK starred six of Hollywood's brightest young stars: James Van Der Beek, (Rules of Attraction, Varsity Blues); Katie Holmes (First Daughter, Pieces of April, Wonder Boys); Michelle Williams (Me Without You, Dick, Prozac Nation); and Joshua Jackson (The Laramie Project, The Mighty Ducks trilogy, Skulls); Kerr Smith (Final Destination); and Busy Phillipps (Freaks & Geeks).

The show was created by NC native Kevin Williamson (Scream; Scream II; I Know What You Did Last Summer; Teaching Mrs. Tingle). DAWSON'S CREEK is loosely based on Williamson's real-life experiences growing up in rural North Carolina. Fans of DAWSON'S CREEK can watch the show and see familiar sights of the Cape Fear Coast when it airs on television. The first season is now available on DVD. Paul Stupin, Tom Kapinos and Greg Prange are executive producers of DAWSON'S CREEK for Sony Pictures Television.

In 2003, another weekly television series "One Tree Hill," which airs on the CW Network, began filming in Wilmington. In 2005, NBC's one-season sci-fi series "Surface" lensed in Wilmington.

Frequently Asked Questions about DAWSON'S CREEK:

1.  Can I see the show being filmed?

DAWSON'S CREEK wrapped its final season in April 2003, however, fans can visit EUE/Screen Gems Studios (1223 N. 23^rd Street, Wilmington), the largest production facility east of Hollywood where offices for DAWSON'S CREEK were based. While guided studio tours no longer include DAWSON'S CREEK sets, visitors can sometimes peek in at sets from another weekly teen series, ONE TREE HILL (often included in the tours). Walking tours are offered most weekends (hours and dates vary, call for details or check http://www.screengemsstudios.com/. Contact Screen Gems Studio Tours at (910) 343-3433 to confirm times. Large groups need reservations. Admission charge applies (cost and tour availability subject to change without notice). There's also a guided walking tour of downtown movie locations, Hollywood Location Walk of Old Wilmington, that includes some of the locations used in Dawson's Creek: http://www.hollywoodnc.com/.

2.  Self-guided Tour: Filming also took place at various locations along the Cape Fear Coast. You'll see familiar sites along the Cape Fear Riverwalk (located at the foot of Market Street) and Riverfront Park (Water Street, across from the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse - where Andie and Pacey first kissed). Fans are welcome to take a self-guided tour of businesses and attractions in Wilmington's Downtown Historic District that are frequently used as locations, including:  Riverboat Landing (2 Market St.--appears as a coffeehouse); Island Passage Elixir (4 Market St.--the boutique in the episode "Full Moon Rising"); Black Cat Shoppe (8 Market St., a Capeside CD shop); Mixto Restaurant (5 S. Water St.--Leery's Fresh Fish); the Riverfront Visitor Information Booth (riverside at Market and Water streets -- appeared as a hot dog stand and as a snack bar); Blue Post Billiards (15 S. Water St.--must be 21 to enter); Reel Café (100 S. Front St.); Charley Brownz (21 S. Front St.); Diesel Downtown (15 S. Front St.--where Joey made her singing debut--must be 21 to enter); Elijah's Restaurant (2 Ann St.); Crow Hill Café (35 N. Front St., various episodes); Pender's Luncheonette (205 N. Front St.); and N Salo (former location of Screen Play Video, 212 N. Front St.--Pacey's after-school workplace); The Cotton Exchange (300 N. Front St.) parking lot and courtyard. The Schwartz Center at Cape Fear Community College (610 N. Front St.) appeared as a film festival lobby. "Hell's Kitchen" (118 Princess Street) was a temporary set that is now a pub with the same name. At Third and Princess streets is historic Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts (310 Chestnut Street--interior of the "Rialto Theatre") and the Old New Hanover County Courthouse (24 N. Third Street--train station interior. This is also the Visitor Center.). A few blocks south on Third Street is the historic Graystone Inn (100 S. 3^rd Street).

Locations outside the Historic District, but worth the drive: Just across the river, there's Battleship Park (on Eagle's Island, beside the Battleship NC--site of "The Winter Fair" in the "Psychic Friends" episode). Other filming locations in New Hanover County include:  Airlie Gardens (Airlie Rd., 2 mi. west of Wrightsville Beach); New Hanover County Arboretum (6206 Oleander Dr.-where Jen said her final episode ‘goodbye'); Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park (5320 Oleander Dr.--filmed in the main arcade and in Big Splash Café); UNC-Wilmington (601 S. College Road--doubled as the Capeside High School campus); Kenan Auditorium (UNCW campus, 601 S. College Rd.); Greenfield Lake (1702 Burnett Blvd.--appears as "Burham Lake" in the show); Banks Channel (across from Blockade Runner Resort) and various docks at Wrightsville Beach, among other locations, including the Dockside Restaurant (1308 Airlie Rd.--appeared as "The Icehouse" when the camera was facing the water). On Pleasure Island, the Carolina Beach Marina (the Winner Queen--at Carl Winner Blvd.), Carolina Beach Boardwalk (Carolina Blvd.) and Carolina Beach State Park (off Hwy. 421 S.) in Carolina Beach appeared in the show's early episodes. The beach around the Kure Beach Fishing Pier (K Ave. off Fort Fisher Blvd.) doubled as the Maine coastline during season 5; and in season 6, the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (900 Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach) stood in as the New England Aquarium in Boston. The Cape Fear Shoals exhibit with its quarter-million gallon saltwater tank doubles as "Cape Cod Shoals." Filming has also taken place at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site (1610 Fort Fisher Blvd. S., Kure Beach) and the Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry (Ft. Fisher Blvd. S.). The quaint village of Southport (30 mi. south of Wilmington) is also used as a location.

3.  How can I see movie/TV stars?

During filming of a movie or television production, security is very tight both on location and at the studios. The only way to see the stars in person is a chance celebrity sighting at a public place such as a restaurant, shopping mall, boutique, video store, etc. Although TV and movie stars appreciate their fans, please respect their privacy. You may request photos of "Dawson's Creek" cast by writing: The WB, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522.

4. Where can I buy DAWSON'S CREEK memorabilia?

DAWSON'S CREEK t-shirts, hats and other memorabilia can be purchased in Wilmington at Poodle's Island Wear (18 S. Water Street, 910-763-4523). Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11am-6pm; Fri.-Sat. 10:30am-8pm. Hours subject to change without notice. Or you may order t-shirts, hats, etc. at http://www.dawsonscreek.com/. TV/movie-related memorabilia is also available at the Black Cat Shoppe (8 Market St, Wilmington, NC. Phone: 910-251-6663).

5. How can I find out more about the show and its stars?

You may visit the Official DAWSON'S CREEK website at http://www.dawsonscreek.com/ or at http://www.thewb.com/. 

6. How can I be an extra on a TV show or movie?

Fincannon & Associates, a Wilmington-based casting company, casts extras for local productions. If you are interested in being considered as an extra, please contact their offices in advance, which are located at 1235 N. 23^rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28405. (U.S. citizenship may be required.) Before visitors travel any distance to be an extra they are encouraged to call Fincannon & Associates at 910-251-1500 to find out about casting needs and employment requirements.

For more info about Wilmington & NC's Cape Fear Coast (where DAWSON'S CREEK was filmed) please call 1-866-266-9690, or stop by the year-round Visitor Information Center located in the old New Hanover County Courthouse at 24 North Third Street in downtown Wilmington, or the Riverfront Visitors Booth (April-October) at the foot of Market Street.  You may also visit the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau website at http://www.gocapefearcoast.com/.

NOTE: Studio, tours, and individual businesses are individually operated. Hours of operation, fees and availability subject to change without notice.