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.

The future Pacey Witter said he wasn't even clear which role he had auditioned for.Joshua Jackson remembers his audition for Dawson's Creek was more dramatic as the gang's life on the teen show — and even as brutal as the main event depicted in The Hunger Games movies.