Television’s best couples

Relationships in television shows may be fictional, but that’s never stopped us from getting emotionally invested. Across seasons, sometimes entire series, the dynamic between two characters can slowly build tension, anticipation, and longing, until a perfectly timed payoff finally blossoms into romance. With the best television couples, we root for them obsessively, watching every glance, argument, and miscommunication with bated breath. The edit compilations on TikTok, the comment-section debates, and the collective outrage when writers get it wrong all prove just how powerful these on-screen romances can be. Television thrives on familiar tropes, and no matter how many times we see the same ones just mildly reworked, they still hit hard. Whether it be an enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, or coworkers-to-lovers trope, if the chemistry is undeniable and the writers get it right, I will be front row waiting for the end-of-season feelings confession. Because of my admittedly unhealthy investment in these fictional relationships, I’ve rounded up some of the best television couples to ever grace our screens.

Chandler and Monica – Friends

Probably my favourite television couple ever. I love seeing their friends-to-lovers trope play out on my annual Friends rewatch and how natural and genuine the love they have for each other is. The fact that they were not originally intended to be a long-term couple makes me love them even more, since it just means their chemistry was so undeniable. What makes Chandler and Monica endure isn’t just nostalgia – it’s how unexpectedly healthy they are. Chandler learns emotional honesty; Monica softens her need for control. My favourite episode of the show, ‘The One Where Everybody Finds Out’, revolves around their relationship. Their proposal episodes – one fake, one heartbreakingly real – remain some of Friends’ most tender moments.

Nick and Jess – New Girl

Nick and Jess arguably have one of the best television kisses ever. The whole sequence in the season six finale to Lorde’s ‘Green Light’ is permanently etched into my brain. They thrive on contrast: optimism versus cynicism, ambition versus inertia. Their chemistry is chaotic, loud, and deeply affectionate, culminating in one of the most iconic first kisses in sitcom history. While their on-again-off-again arc frustrates at times, their relationship always feels rooted in friendship. Nick’s eventual emotional maturity and Jess’s willingness to accept imperfection make their endgame feel earned – messy, but sincere.

Nathan and Haley – One Tree Hill

Honestly, I didn’t support these two from the start. I was firmly team Lucas in season one. However, they did quickly grow on me – I just couldn’t believe that Nathan was genuine at the start. In a show built on melodrama, Nathan and Haley stand out for their commitment to growth. From teenage marriage and pregnancy to long-distance strain and cheating storylines, they weather almost every hardship imaginable. Their relationship matures alongside them, transforming from a rushed high school romance into a partnership built on sacrifice and trust.

Jay and Gloria – Modern Family

Jay and Gloria flip expectations at every turn. What begins as a punchline – rich, older man, younger woman – quickly reveals surprising emotional depth. Gloria’s fierce loyalty and Jay’s gradual vulnerability challenge assumptions about masculinity, ageing, and power. Their relationship works because it refuses cynicism: together they create one of the show’s most grounded love stories.

Jackson and April – Grey’s Anatomy

This couple is a close second to Jo and Alex in my Grey’s Anatomy couple rankings. The only reason I can’t put Jo and Alex on here is because of how the writers destroyed them. Jackson and April have such a heart-wrenching story, from their first baby, Samuel, their divorce, April’s crisis-of-faith plot, to shared custody of Harriet, and to eventually getting together in season 17. I remember watching April’s first wedding to Matthew and thinking that Jackson’s interruption of the wedding was a dream sequence on Jackson’s part. While they struggle to sustain happiness, their connection is undeniable, driven by shared trauma and deeply held beliefs. Japril’s best moments – raw, impulsive, emotional – capture Grey’s Anatomy at its most operatic.

Luke and Lorelai – Gilmore Girls

Probably one of the most frustrating slow-burns in TV. While I would have been okay with Lorelai ending up with Max, I’m so glad she ended up with Luke. His pining in the early seasons is unmatched. Their romance is built on coffee, banter, and years of unspoken devotion. Their slow burn is so effective because it’s rooted in routine: Luke’s diner is Lorelai’s safe haven, and Luke quietly shows up, again and again.

Jake and Amy – Brooklyn 99

Jake and Amy prove that romance doesn’t have to undermine comedy. Starting their relationship with a bet, the missed double-tuck from Amy, Jake letting her catch up in the Jimmy Jab games, them finally getting together felt well-developed and well-earned. Their competitive flirting evolves into mutual respect, with their relationship strengthening rather than softening their characters. From the undercover kiss to the wedding amid a bomb threat, their love thrives in chaos.

Ian and Mickey – Shameless US

Messy, brutal, and deeply human, Ian and Mickey’s relationship reflects the harsh realities of Shameless itself. Their journey from secrecy and violence to open commitment is slow and painful, but transformative. Mickey’s evolution – learning to love without shame – makes their wedding feel monumental. Gallavich isn’t tidy or idealised; it’s earned.