10 TV Couples Who Kept Their Appeal After The “Will They, Won’t They” Stage Ended

There is often a couple in a TV show with a will-they-won’t-they dynamic that lends itself to the drama and stakes of the show, but only the best relationships can stay relevant after the conflict comes to an end. The chemistry between the central couple must be strong enough that the interactions between the characters remain charged and full of intrigue, even if the relationship is safe and sound. A key indicator that a relationship is working is if the complications that arise after the couple commits to each other are just as compelling as whether or not they’ll get together.

In a series, romance between characters may not be the driving force of the plot, but it can add a lot to the story. Interpersonal relationships are the backbone of development, conflict, and how interested the audience is in the characters onscreen. A lot can be learned from how a character presents themselves in a relationship, and having a couple to root for, or against, is a relatable way to communicate the themes and tone of a show. Not every partnership will make it to the end of a series, but the ones that do aren’t just good for the story but are also good for each other.

Related

10 Best Will They/Won’t They Romances On TV Ranked

Television has introduced many iconic romances over the years, but no couple can compete with the 10 will they/won’t they relationships on this list.

10 Amy & Jake – Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013 – 2021)

Get together in season 3

Not just will-they-won’t-they, but also enemies to lovers, Amy (Melissa Fumero) and Jake (Andy Samberg) might be an unlikely couple on paper, but they remained a compelling pair until the end of the series. After they realized they had feelings for each other, there were a few false starts as they adapted to being both coworkers and in a relationship, but once they got going, nothing would tear them apart. Jake and Amy make it work because the competitive edge between them tinges their romance, keeping things interesting. Additionally, their different outlooks and approaches to life lead to domestic conflicts that would play out similarly in the real world.

9 Ben & Leslie – Parks And Recreation (2009 – 2015)

Get together in season 3

Though their relationship officially starts in season 3, Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) hit some roadblocks because of their ambitions and the bureaucracy of the local government. When Leslie decides to run for office, they must end their relationship to avoid a scandal, but this pause doesn’t last because they’re miserable without each other. Throughout the series, they each sacrifice a lot for each other because the foundation of mutual respect between them is so strong, and they want to see the other succeed. Thanks to the strong personalities of both characters, there’s never any shortage of miscommunications or new goals to keep things interesting.

Related

Parks And Recreation: 10 Most Important Ben & Leslie Episodes

With a loving relationship developed over the course of Parks & Recreation, there are some important Ben and Leslie episodes that shouldn’t be missed.

8 Nathan & Haley – One Tree Hill (2003 – 2012)

Get together season 1

Though Nathan (James Lafferty) is first introduced as an antagonist in One Tree Hill, his relationship with Haley (Bethany Joy Lenz) becomes the beating heart of the series. The couple makes the shocking decision to get married at the end of season 1, and though many roadblocks lie ahead, the love they have for each other never falters. What makes their relationship so compelling is the external drama of Tree Hill and that they are an example of stability in contrast to their friend’s love lives. Additionally, since they get together so early, the audience gets to watch them experience all the happy milestones a couple goes through.

7 Emma & Killian – Once Upon A Time (2011 – 2018)

Get together season 4

It takes a moment for Emma (Jennifer Morrison) to bring down her walls and let Killian aka Captain Hook (Colin O’Donoghue) in on Once Upon A Time. Being the savior has been no easy task, and Emma has faced a good deal of abandonment, so deciding to see through their relationship is a big step for her. Killian proved himself and his love for Emma and that can be seen through all the best Hook and Emma quotes about their love for each other.

Of course, in Storybrooke there’s always one catastrophe after another, so after learning to trust each other, fate keeps getting in the way. Luckily, the resounding theme of the series is that love is worth fighting for, and the love between them is. Their story is appealing because within the relationship they both still have growing to do.

6 Aria & Ezra – Pretty Little Liars (2010 – 2017)

Get together season 1

Although an altogether problematic relationship, the nature of Pretty Little Liars made for compelling TV when it came to Aria (Lucy Hale) and Ezra (Ian Harding). The pair start dating when Ezra is Aria’s high school English teacher, a terrible beginning, but it does keep a significant amount of intrigue. The situation requires that they grapple with first how to keep their relationship a secret, and then how to get people to accept them when they go public.

Throughout all of this, “A”, Aria’s blackmailer, does everything in their power to complicate their relationship and put Aria’s life in jeopardy. As with the other girls in the series, Aria is kept so busy trying to track down “A” and solve numerous mysteries, that she only has time for one significant relationship. Even if it’s obvious that the pair could never have eyes for anyone but each other, it’s still a fun ride to see how they get there.

5 Damon & Elena – The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)

Get together season 4

Damon (Ian Somerhalder) might start as the bad boy who turns Elena’s (Nina Dobrev) head, but their relationship quickly blossoms into one of deep commitment, trust, and love. The love triangle between Damon, Elena, and Damon’s brother Stefan (Paul Wesley) is full of twists and complications. However, it’s clear to see that Elena and Damon have a chemistry that stands the test of time.

Despite this, once Elena puts an end to the tension and officially chooses Damon, they have a rough road ahead. Damon must learn to be a better man for Elena, and Elena undergoes terrible losses that leave her uncertain about the future. Though this is difficult, these external factors keep the relationship an integral part of the series.

4 Rachel & Finn – Glee (2009 – 2015)

Get together season 1

In Glee, Finn (Cory Monteith) does not immediately see Rachel (Lea Michelle) as a viable romantic partner, but once he does, there’s no going back. Though an unexpected pair, they bring out the best in each other, and prove their love time and again. What often comes between them is Rachel’s insecurities that Finn doesn’t find her attractive or desirable, and Finn’s confusion about his direction and purpose in life. These conflicts of interest frequently come to a head in their relationship, adding drama while they are committed to each other.

3 Cory & Topanga – Boy Meets World (1993 – 2000)

Get together season 3

Boy Meets World was in the unique position to track the growth of its characters from childhood to adulthood realistically and truthfully. Part of this is due to the development of Cory’s (Ben Savage) and Topanga’s (Danielle Fishel) relationship that blossoms before the eyes of the viewers. Though they get together quite early in the series, the growing pains of young love are far from easy and rife with conflict for the series to mine. Seeing their affection for each other mature from puppy love to adult commitment is a captivating portion of the show.

2 Mike & Rachel – Suits (2011 – 2019)

Get together season 3

Though Donna (Sarah Rafferty) and Harvey (Gabriel Macht) have some of the longest slow-burn romantic tension in Suits, Mike (Patrick J. Adams) and Rachel (Meghan Markle) get most of the spotlight. This is for good reason, as even after they admit their feelings and fall deeply in love, there are plenty of obstacles standing between them and their happily ever after. The biggest conflict on the show, Mike’s false law credentials, is a frequent blockage to their ultimate happiness, and Rachel has ambitions of her own that are sometimes diminished by Mike’s drama. Fortunately, even these issues cannot stop the couple from being together, as their love is true.

1 Meredith & Derek – Grey’s Anatomy (2005 – )

Get together season 1

On Grey’s Anatomy, there are many amazing couples, and plenty of drama to keep Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) busy. However, it’s hard to argue against the fact that Meredith and Derek are the best couple on Grey’s Anatomy. Only Derek had the patience and devotion to wait for Meredith to be ready for every step of their relationship, and he is the only man for whom Meredith could have been able to overcome her issues. In the hospital, there are plenty of personal and professional complications that come between them, but only the tragedy of Derek’s passing could have brought an end to their epic romance.