Copyright Screen Rant
There's arguably no better place to find a beautiful, well-developed love story than television. While everyone loves a good cheesy rom-com or a more somber dramatic film, the medium of TV allows for a deeper and more meaningful story that goes beyond red roses on Valentine's Day or a chaotic declaration of love at the airport at the end of the story. Major streaming comedies like Netflix's Nobody Wants This have shown that romantic dramas aren't dead, as much as the movie and television landscapes have changed. However, Noah (Adam Brody) and Joanne's (Kristen Bell) isn't the only TV relationship that dives deep into the highs and lows of dating. From clear chemistry to awkward first meetings to raw discussions of commitment and emotions, we want to see the beauty and the pain. Alicia And Will, The Good Wife Alicia Florrick's (Julianna Margulies) desire to kickstart her law career again is the main draw of The Good Wife, but her romance with Will Gardner (Josh Charles) is fun to watch, too. The two have a classic TV love story that starts with chemistry at work and ends with a painful breakup that doesn't even make much sense. Since the couple isn't together as long as other TV drama pairs, they're not as unforgettable, and it's hard to know if they would stay together past the tragedy that strikes in season 5. Still, watching their flirtation and passion in seasons 2 and 3 is entertaining and meaningful. Will's respect for Alicia's intelligence and work ethic is also refreshing and helps her find her confidence again after a shaky marriage to Peter (Chris Noth). Dylan And Kelly, Beverly Hills 90210 There are many great relationships on Beverly Hills 90210, the beloved teen drama that examines love, intimacy, commitment, and the challenging but relatable experience of falling in love with someone with whom you were close friends. No couple comes close to Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) and Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth), though. Since they've known each other for so long, the characters genuinely care about each other, and that makes their romantic connection stronger. The start of their relationship is also a crucial part of TV history. Fans will never forget their affair or the famous Kelly/Dylan/Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) love triangle. Despite their strong feelings, things didn't work. We learn in the reboot 90210 that they still aren't in a mature, adult relationship. Meredith And Derek, Grey’s Anatomy Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) is a rebellious loner, which makes her romance with Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) surprising and impactful. The Grey's Anatomy love story always keeps us guessing, from their first intimate encounter in the pilot episode to their quirky Post-it note wedding and transition into parenthood. This couple is great to follow because of Derek's huge romantic gestures and Meredith's decision to become more authentic and vulnerable, which shows how thrilling and also healthy a mature partnership can be. However, it's hard to know if Meredith would have stayed with Derek if he hadn't passed away. Although they have a family, he's not as supportive of her career as he should be at the end of his character arc, and that makes other couples stronger. Carol And Doug, ER There may be a few memorable couples on ER, but the long-running medical drama's best couple award goes to Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) and Doug Ross (George Clooney). Although it's never a question of whether they'll have a happy ending, they still have an entertaining relationship. Like Meredith and Derek, Carol and Doug have a workplace romance, and their important, stressful careers often threaten to ruin their bond. Even though we swoon when rewatching Meredith and Derek's post-it note scene, it doesn't compare to the moment when Carol and Doug reunite on a dock in ER season 6, episode 21, "Such Sweet Sorrow." This ER couple isn't perfect, though. While they're a staple of pop culture, they do run into common TV problems like miscommunication and failing to be as honest with each other as they should be. Kevin And Nora, The Leftovers Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) and Nora Durst's (Carie Coon) love story is set against the backdrop of the shocking and emotional Sudden Departure event. Whether you're invested in their first date in season 1, their growing bond in season 2, or their separation and reunion in season 3, their relationship is a dark, unique ride. It seems almost unfair to judge Kevin and Nora's love for each other against other TV pairs, given Nora's guilt over her missing family and the high stakes of this strange world. That being said, we know they care about each other, and their bond is sweet. However, it's hard to know if these two would make it in the real world. It's fair to say that they connect during a time when they each need a companion, and perhaps they wouldn't be meant to be if this epic event had never happened. Lorelai And Luke, Gilmore Girls This famous Gilmore Girls relationship is a great example of the saying "opposites attract." Every Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke Danes's (Scott Patterson) moment is magical, from pals to lovers to, finally, a married couple in the Netflix revival A Year in the Life. And who can forget when Luke delayed their wedding when he learns about his daughter, April Nardini (Vanessa Marano). That was definitely a low point for them. Still, sparks fly whenever they chat at the diner or elsewhere in Stars Hollow, and we know Luke and Lorelai are always there for each other, even when they're dating other people. Tami And Eric, Friday Night Lights It's not easy to move to a new place for your partner's job, and that's exactly what the first season of the popular sports drama Friday Night Lights explores. The dramatic teenage storylines and football fun on this show are cool, but let's be honest, we're really watching for Tami (Connie Britton) and Eric Taylor's (Kyle Chandler) sweet relationship. The characters have a realistic relationship that involves work stress, a big move, parenthood disagreements, and compromise. Tami is so beloved because she stands up for herself and wants to have agency in her relationship. The only issue with this TV couple is Eric's stubbornness, which can be frustrating to watch. Bobby And Athena, 9-1-1 Is it possible to enjoy Ryan Murphy's procedural 9-1-1 without Bobby Nash (Peter Krause)? Sure, there are plenty of other great characters, but chances are, many of us have tuned into season 9 and missed watching Bobby and Athena Grant's (Angela Bassett) strong relationship. The couple's love story is packed with big emotions and high-stakes moments, from getting stuck on a cruise ship together to Athena attempting to land a plane before it crashes. Those epic adventures make Bobby and Athena stand out among other long-term TV drama partnerships. Unfortunately, their story ends tragically. Charlie And Nick, Heartstopper The honest and vulnerable relationship between Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) is particularly impressive because of their young age. It's also one of the best and most important LGBTQ+ TV romances. Since Charlie and Nick are figuring out who they are and experiencing first love, they stand out among others who are older and have more dating experience. It will be compelling to see what state their relationship is in when the Heartstopper Forever movie is released in 2026. Even though we can assume the couple will have some problems, it's easy to imagine them getting a sweet, happy ending. Beth And Randall, This Is Us Apologies to Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca Pearson (Mandy Moore), but we would have to say Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and Randall Pearson (Sterling K. Brown) have a more memorable and interesting relationship. It's realistic, compassionate, respectful, and not without its flaws. Whether Randall is struggling with anxiety or Beth is starting her own business, the This Is Us couple is encouraging and honest. Since they've been with each other for so many decades, audiences get a real feel for their dynamic, and we see them choosing to stay together even when they disagree or fight.
