Joshua Jackson endured an exhausting and surreal audition process to play Pacey Witter on the 2000s WB series Dawson’s Creek, judging by what he shared with Jesse Tyler Ferguson. In the April 21 episode of Ferguson’s Dinner on Me podcast, Jackson recalled auditioning for Pacey — and for Dawson Leery, the role that went to James Van Der Beek.

Joshua Jackson recalls the audition process for Dawson’s Creek, likening it to The Hunger Games. The Doctor Odyssey star was ultimately cast as Pacey Witter, Dawson’s wisecracking best friend, but Jackson said he also auditioned for the titled character in The WB drama.

Joshua Jackson ‘s audition for Dawson’s Creek was a competition, to say the least. During a recent appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast, the Doctor Odyssey actor recalled auditioning for the hit drama series, comparing it to The Hunger Games.