In mid-February, the trailer for the highly anticipated Little Fires Everywhere was released.
Starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, the series is based on the novel of the same name by Celeste Ng and billed to be as popular as Witherspoon’s Big Little Lies.
In fact, Witherspoon’s character, the perfectly manicured Shaker Heights housewife Elena is eerily similar to her BLL’s Madeline Martha Mackenzie — stuck up, all about appearances and is a very pushy mother to three teenagers.
But, it’s her husband in Little Fires Everywhere that’s had me doing a double-take.
Playing the role of Bill, Elena’s husband is Dawson’s Creek’s alum (and former co-star of Witherspoon in cult-hit, Cruel Intentions), Joshua Jackson.
Yes, I know.
Jackson has been in plenty since the days he played Pacey, a teen who lost his virginity to a teacher in the 90s teen drama — but for some reason, seeing him in this new TV series has made me feel old. Like, seriously old.
How on earth is Jackson old enough to be playing a character that is a Dad to teenagers? TEENAGERS! My word.
In my eyes, Jackson is still a teenager himself, playing roles about sexual awakening and even finding your sexuality.
He’s still awkward, yet weirdly attractive and plays the sidekick to the brooding lead. Guys, it just doesn’t feel possible.
Upon closer inspection, Dawson’s Creek finished filming in 2003 — a whole seventeen years ago this year. But, doesn’t it feel like only yesterday?
Since the show wrapped, Jackson has been in a plethora of titles, including the hugely successful The Affair, where he played grieving dad, Cole Lockhart.
Before that, he played Peter Bishop in sci-fi mystery, Fringe (2008-2013) — a role that really took him away from his teen drama roots.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see either of these shows — and maybe that’s why it was such a shock for me to a) see him playing a role where he is a dad to teenagers but b) to discover that he was already 41.
In any case, this role is set to be super juicy and I will no doubt come to terms with the fact that Jackson is a middle-aged man now.
As the synopsis reads: “Single mother, Mia Warren (Washington), moves to the suburbs in Ohio with her teenage daughter, where they become involved with Elena Richardson (Witherspoon) and her picture-perfect family. While Mia is a free-spirited artist with a mysterious past, Elena is a stickler for the rules and status quo. The two families find themselves on opposing sides when a custody battle erupts over the adoption of a Chinese-American baby and the plot unfolds to explore the weight of secrets, the struggles of motherhood and the danger of always following the rules no matter the cost.”
Little Fires Everywhere will be available on Hulu on March 18, with no word on how it will hit our shores. Here’s hoping we get it as soon as the US does! Bring on March.
WATCH: The official trailer for Little Fires Everywhere below!