It was a bob extravaganza at the Chanel and Tribeca Film Festival luncheon celebrating women filmmakers, led by Katie Holmes and her freshly cut lob.

Over the past month, the actor and filmmaker has been making subtle seasonal hair changes—just in time for summer. In May, she showed up at the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala with chocolate brown hair, a shift from her brief try with a dark honey blonde balayage. Holmes had let her “clavi-cut”—a versatile, celebrity-favored long bob that hits right at the collarbone—grow out, but yesterday she debuted a sharp, fresh lob. Her new hairstyle landed right at the collarbone, styled stick straight. The color was also richer, with a dark roasted espresso shade all over and almost reddish highlights for extra depth and dimension.

Celebrating another year of the groundbreaking Through Her Lens program for women and non-binary filmmakers, Holmes was in great company: Meg Ryan, Maggie Rogers, Debi Mazar, Supriya Ganesh, and Myha’la, among others. Many were carrying Matthieu’s latest Chanel pieces and more classic bags. And Holmes wasn’t the only one with a summer hair refresh: Jodie Foster also went for a bob, styled soft and straight, just above her shoulders.

A quick look at her now darker shade earlier this week, spotted out and about in New York.

The debut of Katie Holmes’s honey blonde “clavi-cut.”

Her new look matched her low-key yet classic and polished outfit: a plain white t-shirt, straight-leg gray-blue jeans, Chanel pumps, and a white purse.

Holmes had let her brunette hair grow almost to her hip before going for the big cut, but she’s no stranger to a chin-length chop. Way back in 2007, the young Dawson’s Creek actor cut a jaw-length bob with blunt bangs and kept some version of a short style until the mid-2010s. As with her enviable sense of style, Holmes tends to be an early adopter with her own unique approach, never jumping on a trend she wouldn’t be happy to live in and make her own.

The bob community only grows stronger in 2026: Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz, and Gracie Abrams have all cut their hair. And if trendsetter Katie Holmes can do anything, it’s inspire a legion of fans to get into the salon chair in time for summer, too.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Katie Holmes returning with Bob and her brunette hair color

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 Wait is Katie Holmes actually getting back together with Bob
No not the person Bob refers to her character Joey Potter from the TV show Dawsons Creek Shes reprising the role for a new project

2 So is this a new season of Dawsons Creek
No its not a full reboot or new season Its a oneoff commercial or short film for a brand where she plays Joey again

3 Why is she brunette again
Joey Potter was known for her dark brown hair Katie Holmes has been blonde for years but she dyed it back to brunette to look exactly like the character from the show

4 Is this just a rumor or is it confirmed
Its confirmed Photos of her on set with the brunette hair and classic Joeystyle outfits were widely published

5 When will I be able to see this
The specific project is expected to be released in late 2024 or early 2025 Keep an eye out on social media and news outlets for the official drop date

AdvancedLevel Questions

6 Whats the actual project shes working on with the Bob character
Its a commercial for the home organization brand The Container Store Shes reuniting with her Dawsons Creek costar James Van Der Beek for the ad

7 Is this the first time shes played Joey since the show ended in 2003
Yes this is her first time officially playing the character in over 20 years She has rarely referenced the role publicly

8 Why did she choose The Container Store for this comeback
Katie Holmes is a cocreative director for the brand She sees the characters obsession with organization as a perfect humorous fit for a storage and organization ad