Josephine Lynn Potter (born 1983) is a fictional character in the WB television drama Dawson's Creek, played by Katie Holmes. Joey is the only principal character to appear in all episodes of the series, which ran from 1998 to 2003. Joey, created by Kevin Williamson based on a childhood friend, is a tomboyish teenager growing up in the fictional town of Capeside in Massachusetts. The series chronicles her journey from adolescence into adulthood, focusing in particular on her complex and evolving relationship with childhood friend Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek). Background In an official companion book for the show, Joey Potter is described as "a headstrong, vibrant, wily, sultry, and determined go-getter. And yet, in a gloriously contradictory manner, in spite of her tough-as-nails exterior demeanor, Joey's also a frail, sometimes uncertain, emotionally sensitive, in-need-of-love person." Joey has been best friends with Dawson Leery since they were in third grade, and considers him "her family." She spent much of her early childhood at the Leery house, and Dawson was a constant comforting presence during traumatic events in her childhood. Joey's mother had died of breast cancer when Joey was thirteen and her father, Mike (Gareth Williams), was in prison for drug trafficking. Joey is raised by her unmarried and pregnant sister Bessie (Nina Repeta), who is about ten years older than Joey and runs the Ice House restaurant where Joey works as a waitress. Dawson and Joey spend many nights bonding over films and TV shows in his bedroom, which Joey accesses via a ladder into his room. She has also known Pacey Witter her whole life, though they only tolerate each other due to their friendships with Dawson until high school. Character arc Season 1 In season one, Joey is the "girl next door." She is confused by her growth into a teenager and her developing feelings for her longtime best friend Dawson, who believes he is her soulmate. She immediately becomes jealous when Jen Lindley arrives and steals Dawson's attention. She is intimidated by Jen, who grew up in New York, and feels competitive with her. She lives with her pregnant sister Bessie and works for her at the Ice House, the Potter family restaurant. She is frustrated with having to deal with work and taking care of her sister along with significant helpings of teenage angst. Nonetheless, Joey manages to be helpful with the birth of