Summary
Certain couples on TV shows are obviously meant to be, and when they get together, their relationship becomes the best part of the series. Whilemost series incorporate some kind of romantic entanglement,there are certain genres and show types that elevate the romances above all other plotlines. Sometimes, this can be to the detriment of the show’s overall quality, but it also means that the love stories are all the more well-paced and satisfying. However, one of the deciding factors of how well-received a couple will be is the chemistry between the actors.
Ideally, there will be a natural balance between romance arcs and other aspects of a series that make it compelling, but sometimes, the romance wins out for the best part of the show.
On the opposite end of the spectrum,there are theworst TV couples that shouldn’t have happened, who bring down the overall qualityof the series. These involve characters with inappropriate age gaps or relationships that feel forced in order to create drama. Ideally, there will be a natural balance between romance arcs and other aspects of a series that make it compelling, but sometimes, the romance wins out for the best part of the show. If this is the case, it’s clear that the series has a dynamic couple on its hands.
10 Best Opposites-Attract Couples In TV Shows, Ranked
TV couples sometimes take their time to find each other and finally connect, which can often be kept engaging when the couple are opposites.
8Anthony & Kate - Bridgerton (2020–Present)
Played by Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley
Not only do they begin their relationship as one between equals, but they challenge and excite each other with everything they do.
Bridgertonseason 2 is the best season of the period drama so far,and this is inarguably due to the fact that Anthony and Kate are the show’s best couple. Not only do they begin their relationship as one between equals, but they challenge and excite each other with everything they do. WhileBridgertonseason 3 created a great love story for Penelope and Colin, it was difficult not to miss the slow-burn enemies-to-lovers relationship between Kate and Anthony. It helps that Bailey and Ashely are two of the best actors inBridgerton.
While it would be great ifAnthony and Kate return forBridgertonseason 4, it wouldn’t be out of the question for the characters to disappear from the series entirely. It’s been a pattern onBridgertonthat as soon as a sibling’s arc is completed, the actor decides to phase out of the series to focus on other projects. This makes sense, but it’s hard to see such great couples leave the show, like Kate and Anthony.Even though they’re happily married, there’s still more the series could explorewith their relationship.
Bridgerton
Cast
Bridgerton, released on July 01, 2025, is set in Regency-era England and follows the lives of the influential Bridgerton family. The series explores themes of wealth, lust, and betrayal, portraying societal dynamics through a blend of romance and intrigue.
7Seth & Summer - The O.C. (2003–2007)
Played by Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson
Despite the epic highs and lows of Ryan and Marissa’s relationship onThe O.C., it wasn’t hard for Seth and Summer’s romance to steal the show.Seth has had a longtime crush on Summer,who barely knows he exists until suddenly she can’t believe she ever lived her life without him. Though they have different likes and interests, Seth and Summer make a point of connecting about what they care about and listening to what they’re passionate about. This dynamic is a great foundation for any relationship, especially in high school.
The O.C.received some flack for the melodrama of its plot points, but few can say anything negative about the relationship between Seth and Summer. They both make mistakes, but this is due to immaturity and inexperience rather than a lack of love and respect. Although Ryan and Marissa never make it to their happy ending,it’s gratifying to see Seth and Summer stand the test of timeand make it out of the dramas in Orange County.
The O.C.
When troubled teen Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) is taken in by his public defender (Peter Gallagher), he suddenly finds himself on the right side of the tracks. The O.C. follows as Ryan tries his best to fit into the affluent California community while navigating the relentless drama of teen life, but his new home of Newport Beach is a town filled to the brim with secrets and scandal.
6Pacey & Joey - Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003)
Played by Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes
WhileDawson’s Creekinitially set up Joey and Dawson to be the central will-they-won’t-they couple of the series, their relationship has nothing on Pacey and Joey. It takes a few seasons before the long-time frenemies begin to realize that there are other feelings buried deep beneath their bickering. Throughout the series,Joey and Pacey drift apart many times, but they always find their way backto one another. Holmes and Jackson portray their relationship with surprising nuance, considering the overall tone ofDawson’s Creek.
Overall, it’s easy to excuse some ofDawson’s Creek’s most outlandish plot points after Joey and Pacey get together because they make watching the entire show worth it.
For a teen TV show,Dawson’s Creekpushed the envelope for what topics could be shown on mainstream television,dealing with sex, abuse, drug addiction, and many other serious topics. While the series didn’t always have a handle on the way it portrayed these things, it was a step in the right direction. Overall, it’s easy to excuse some ofDawson’s Creek’s most outlandish plot points after Joey and Pacey get together because they make watching the entire show worth it.
Dawson’s Creek
In the small town of Capeside, Massachusetts, fifteen-year-old Dawson Leery and his friends — tomboy Joey, class clown Pacey, and many more — experience the highs and lows of teenage life and coming of age.
5Nathan & Haley - One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
Played by James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz
While Lucas' many complicated relationships are often at the heart of the plots inOne Tree Hillfor the first several seasons, it’s Nathan and Haley who anchor the show from the start. What starts as Nathan trying to mess with Lucas by going after Haley develops into the most enduring relationship of the series that sees the couple go through enormous changes.The pair end up getting married, having kids, and weathering loss,all while in their young adult years. However, they’re just happy to be together.
ManyOne Tree Hillmoments that made fans cryinvolve heartbreaking or emotionally moving scenes between Haley and Nathan as they grow up together and start their family. Other characters hurt and betray each other many times over trying to find their one true love, but even at their lowest,there’s no question that Nathan and Haley won’t make it through.This is all the more prevalent in the later seasons when their problems grow bigger and harder to navigate.
One Tree Hill
Set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, One Tree Hill chronicles the complicated and intertwined lives of its residents. Following half-brothers and rivals Lucas and Nathan Scott as they compete both for positions on their school basketball team and for the affection of their fellow students, Tree Hill’s community is built around community spirit and the complex workings of the ever-growing Scott family.
4Alice & Dana - The L Word (2004–2009)
Played by Leisha Hailey and Erin Daniels
While Alice and Dana didn’t get the happily-ever-after they deserved, they’re still a standout couple on the show.
The L Wordwas a revolutionary show and is credited with bringing LGBTQ+ relationships and issues into mainstream television in a new way. However, that doesn’t mean the series was afraid to let its characters be messy, complicated, and sometimes downright evil. The relationships between the women on the show are rarely healthy and often end in disaster. While Alice and Dana didn’t get the happily-ever-after they deserved, they’re still a standout couple on the show.They began as friends and soon realized that their love was blossominginto something more.
Alice and Dana were already amazing friends and hilarious characters onThe L Word, but it didn’t take long for the series to capitalize on their undeniable chemistry.It’s hard to argue that Alice and Dana deserved better,as their relationship ended up going down in flames, and they only begin to rebuild their friendship when Dana is in the hospital. Still, their love story is a memorable part of the show and depicts one of the most loving relationships of any couple.
The L Word
Created by Kathy Greenberg, Ilene Chaiken, and Michele Abbot, The L Word is a Drama created for the Showtime Network and ran for six seasons between 2004 to 2009. It’s considered the pioneer show for shining a light on lesbianism in television.
3Hannah & Caleb - Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)
Played by Ashely Benson and Tyler Blackburn
Caleb and Hanna are one of the few couples onPretty Little Liarsthat fans can root for without too many scruples, as their relationship is age-appropriate and loving, and they’re some of the best characters on the show.Pretty Little Liarsis well-known for toeing the line of healthy relationships onscreen,going so far as to depict quite a few that would never fly in real life. However, Caleb and Hanna are never one of those, even if they do have their problems. Thankfully, they end up together despite some hiccups along the way.
Of all the endgame couples in the show, Hanna and Caleb are the best,as they are both interesting as people on their own and when they’re together. Seeing them grow from teenagers in love to adults who share a difficult history and carry so much compassion is one of the most nuanced story arcs in the series.Pretty Little Liarsis a classic teen soap opera with many interweaving romantic arcs, but Hanna and Caleb always seem meant to be.
Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is a Teen Drama and Mystery series based on the novel by Sara Shepard. The show was created by Marlene King and stars Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, and Holly Marie Combs. The series revolves around four friends who meet back up with one another and begin to receive strange threats from an unknown source simply labeled “A.”
2Jane & Guildford - My Lady Jane (2024–Present)
Played by Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel
My Lady Janeis a love story through and through, and like any great period romance, it delivers on the intimate moments and the emotional moments in equal measure.The lead couple, Jane and Guildford, have incredible chemistryas well as one of the best enemies-to-lovers arcs seen on television. If there’s a fault to be found inMy Lady Jane, it’s that the show leans into some cringe-worthy humor that makes the audience squirm. However, this doesn’t detract from the developing connection between Jane and Guildford.
It’s not just desire that drives their wish to be together, but the genuine development of trust and friendship as a foundation for a deep love.
Thebest Jane and Guildford scenes inMy Lady Janedemonstrate that what they have goes far beyond their physical attraction. It’s not just desire that drives their wish to be together, but the genuine development of trust and friendship as a foundation for a deep love. In the end,it’s their relationship that drives the plot forwardand spurs the most exciting moments inMy Lady Jane, making it clear that the show couldn’t function without them.
My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane is a Prime Video original series created by Gemma Burgess. The story is a “what if” style story of English royal history where King Henry VIII’s son Edward, Lady Jane Grey, and her husband Guildford all survive their real-life deaths. In the retelling of history, Jane Grey takes center stage, becoming queen and immediately finding herself facing nefarious villains.
10 TV Couples That Only Got Together Because Fans Demanded It
Sometimes, when it isn’t in the original plan for a series, two characters will get together because fans are so outspoken about their chemistry.
1Nick & Charlie - Heartstopper (2022–Present)
Played by Nick Nelson and Joe Locke
In many ways,Heartstopperis a great show, as it’s a sweet and accessible depiction of LGBTQ+ young people discovering themselves and their sexuality.This kind of representation is vital for queer children growing upand being able to see themselves reflected in the TV shows they watch. However,Heartstopperis not prestige television, nor is it trying to be, which makes the relationship between Nick and Charlie even more impactful. They have the kind of love story that would be expected in a show intended for older audiences because of its emotional nuance.
It’s Nick and Charlie who make the show worth watchingand transcend the teen TV genre, displaying an aspirational yet realistic connection. While the dialogue can lean into cheesy territory, and the plot has been accused of being formulaic, this doesn’t stop the audience from rooting for Nick and Charlie every step of the way. However, this isn’t to say that the other characters aren’t just as rich and interesting, but the show is at its best when Nick and Charlie are allowed to be themselves and be together.
Heartstopper
Heartstopper is an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age teen romantic comedy based on the webcomic/graphic novel created by Alice Oseman. The show is viewed through the eyes of a young gay British teen named Charlie Spring, whose crush on a classmate grows into something more meaningful as they slowly get closer throughout the series. The show navigates the challenges of LGBTQ+ youth during tumultuous adolescent years.
