While most romantic relationships in TV shows are planned well in advance, some couples only get together because fans want them to be together. This results in varying degrees of success, as these relationships might develop into a strong story element that elevates the show or can become a failed experiment. Regardless, it’s proof of how much power audiences have over the shows they love, as the writers take what the viewers think very seriously. When fans are dedicated enough to root for a TV couple, it’s a flattering representation of how much they care about the series.

Some might call the act of creating these romances fan service, and this can be the case, but it’s extremely satisfying when two actors with a great dynamic have more scenes together. There are many popular non-canon TV ships, but there’s often a reason why they’re never made a reality. Additionally, audiences rarely put two incompatible characters together, as they can see the palpable chemistry between performers. In some cases, viewers merely encourage writers to follow a path to its likely conclusion, developing an existing relationship into something new that’s better than it was before.

10

Lucy Chen & Tim Bradford – The Rookie (2018–Present)

Though it takes a few seasons, Lucy and Tim prove they’re a solid and loving couple.

The Rookie stars Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, but one of the most beloved ships of the series is between Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford, played by Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter. In procedural dramas like The Rookie​​​​​​, it can be difficult to pull off a slow-burn romance. This is because each episode is driven by a new villain of the week, leaving less time for character development and relationship building. Additionally, Lucy and Tim were never meant to be together, making it all the more impressive that fans were so dedicated to the ship.

If there hadn’t been audience calls and numerous examples of fan fiction and fan art putting Lucy and Tim together, The Rookie would likely have put the characters in opposite romantic directions. However, writers and creators of TV series like The Rookie are aware that if fans are calling for something long enough, it means that there might be some truth to it. This was overwhelmingly the case with Lucy and Tim, who let their work dynamic blossom into a loving relationship, which seems to only be growing stronger.

9

The Thirteenth Doctor & Yaz – Doctor Who (1963–Present)

Romances with the Doctor have been attempted many times, but almost always fail.

There are many ways that the writers and producers of Doctor Who failed the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker, as the series attempted to completely reinvent itself at a delicate time. Though the show is known for being progressive, Whittaker was the first woman to take on the role of the Doctor, and changing the formula of the show when she took the reigns was a mistake. These missteps are also reflected in the relationship between the Doctor and Yaz (Mandip Gill), which was inserted toward the end of Whittaker’s tenure to mixed reviews.

One of the newest episodes of Doctor Who, “Rogue,” shows that a queer romance is possible with the Doctor and can be an amazing source of romance and representation. However, a love story between the Doctor and one of their companions can rarely work, as the companion almost always works better as a friend and partner-in-crime. It’s been stated that the showrunner and writers never intended to have Yaz and the Doctor be anything but friends, which accounts for the rushed and abrupt end to their romance.

8

Dean & Castiel – Supernatural (2005–2020)

The headcanon ship for many viewers finally came to life, but not in the way audiences imagined.

Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Cas/Castiel (Misha Collins) were one of the many couples on Supernatural that fans shipped loudly and passionately. It’s not uncommon for audiences to hope for LGBTQ+ representation in shows where there are little to no queer couples. In many ways, a relationship between Dean and Cas made sense, as their character arcs mirrored each other as foils in many ways, and the pair grew to rely on and trust each other. Many audience members felt that if Cas had been a woman, a romance would have quickly developed with Dean.

The way “Destiel” finally became canon was massively disappointing for fans of the couple, as it saw Cas admit his feelings in one of the last episodes of the series, with Dean unable to reciprocate. It could be argued that it would have been better for these feelings to go unsaid rather than have the series staunchly refuse to acknowledge any nuance or love in Dean’s relationship with Cas. It was a moment the writers felt they had to include for the audience’s sake. However, it was executed poorly, making it more difficult to ship the characters.

7

Oliver Queen & Felicity Smoak – Arrow (2012–2020)

Despite being a character invented for the show, Felicity makes her mark on Oliver and Starling City.

Oliver Queen, played by Stephen Amell in the series Arrow, is a DC Comics character who is frequently romantically entangled with the Black Canary, AKA Laurel Lance. However, the TV show based on the comics took many liberties with the source material, going so far as to invent a new character for the series that ended up being Oliver’s true love. This was Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), the side character promoted continuously to increase her screen time and who audiences couldn’t get enough of, especially when she had scenes with Oliver.

Many comic fans wondered why Oliver ended up with Felicity instead of Laurel in Arrow. Unfortunately, Katie Cassidy, who plays Laurel, never had the same chemistry with Amell that Rickards did. Deciding to phase out Laurel and develop the relationship with Felicity was controversial in the sense that there was no basis for it in the comics. However, it would have been impossible to ignore the growing fanbase that wanted to see Felicity and Oliver pair off, even after just one moment together.

6

Klaus & Caroline – The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)

Klaus’ interest in Caroline was mostly one-sided until the series gave the audience what they wanted.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is one that The Vampire Diaries is never afraid to use between its characters. It often leads to some of the most interesting character relationships and fan-favorite dynamics in the series. While Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) are an epic pairing, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Caroline (Candice King) are an unexpected hit. Klaus is initially framed as one of the worst villains of the series, but he has a soft spot for Caroline. Though she claims to hate him, viewers can tell that the attraction between them isn’t one-sided.

In one of the best Klaus and Caroline episodes of The Vampire Diaries, Klaus returns to Mystic Falls on unfinished business after leaving for New Orleans. It’s then that Caroline admits she has feelings for him, and they have an intensely passionate love scene in the woods. There’s no reason for this development in terms of plot or character, as Klaus had already departed for his spinoff show, The Originals. This makes it clear that the writers threw in a bit of fan service for “Klaroline” shippers, as they had been waiting for this moment for years.

5

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

In classic anti-fairytale tradition, Once Upon A Time gives a Princess and a Pirate their happily-ever-after.

If there’s one character who’s a skeptic about the fairytale world and the power of true love’s kiss from the beginning of Once Upon A Time, it’s Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison). Having been abandoned from a young age, Emma has a hard time trusting others and letting people in. When she first encountered Captain Hook, AKA Killian Jones (Colin O’Donoghue), in the Enchanted Forest, they had a combative, if obviously electric, bond. However, their relationship wasn’t always planned to be the grand love story it became.

Hook’s character was quickly recognized for his potential, and O’Donoghue for his chemistry with Morrison. Promoted to series regular soon after joining the show, it was clear that the writers always had big plans for Hook. However, the course of his connection with Emma was helped along by the audience. It wasn’t uncommon for Once Upon A Time to put characters together who weren’t even in the same fairytale, so fans felt justified in supporting the ship between Emma and Hook.

4

Jess & Nick – New Girl (2011–2018)

Though their chemistry was obvious, writers tried to fight it for a long time.

It could be argued that one of the failings of the beloved sitcom New Girl is that it allowed its central couple, Nick (Jake Johnson) and Jess (Zooey Deschanel), to get together too soon. To be fair, it was nearly impossible to put off their inevitable relationship any longer, as fans had been calling for the couple to be together since the pilot. While Jess has great chemistry with all the guys in the loft, things are different with Nick. Their connection was so palpable that the writers actively tried to diffuse their romantic tension throughout season 1.

In one of the best TV kisses of all time, Nick pulls Jess in for a romantic and passionate moment that leaves fans on the edge of their seats. In another universe, it’s possible that the writers held out longer against the viewers’ pleas for Nick and Jess to be together. However, the series managed to keep the tension by letting their relationship take its natural course. Although they initially go their separate ways the first time they date, it’s clear that Nick and Jess are endgame in New Girl.

3

Chandler & Monica – Friends (1994–2004)

What was supposed to be a one-off plotline turned into the show’s greatest love story.

David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston got the most onscreen drama in portraying the rocky Ross and Rachel relationship in Friends. However, many fans of the show agree that Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) were the real star couple of the series. When the writers have the pair sleep together in London, it wasn’t supposed to be the start of an epic love story. The decision to have them cross this romantic line was made with the intention that it would be a funny one-off moment, and then the characters would return to the status quo.

However, the audience response to the couple was overwhelming. Perry and Cox had always had good platonic chemistry in their scenes together, but it hadn’t occurred to anyone that they would be such a strong couple until it was clear that was the direction the show needed to take. While they had their ups and downs like any other romance, Monica and Chandler never fought and betrayed each other like other couples on Friends did, making their love stand out in the story.

2

Peggy & Stan – Mad Men (2007–2015)

It wasn’t just the audience that wanted these two to end up together.

Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) and Stan (Jay R. Ferguson) were a classic case of opposites attract, having more in common than they thought and immediate chemistry from the time that Stan was brought onto the show. Their fairytale ending in the series finale of Mad Men was somewhat divisive, as there were audience members who felt that Peggy should end up alone. However, there were just as many viewers who were thrilled to see that Peggy found some romantic happiness in the end after failing for so many years.

Initially, the creator of Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, was strongly opposed to the matchup, content to leave their connection at not-so-subtle flirting and a tension-filled working dynamic. However, Ferguson has discussed that he, like the audience, was a firm believer in Peggy and Stan getting together. He claims he even tried to include hints of what he believed to be Stan’s true romantic feelings in his scenes with Moss. A surprisingly large amount of characters got a happy ending in Mad Men, but after many seasons of heartbreak, it was nice to see.

1

David & Patrick – Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020)

It took a long time for the writers to keep them together.

While Noah Reid, who played Patrick on the hit Canadian comedy Schitt’s Creek, was cast as a love interest for David (Dan Levy), he wasn’t supposed to stay as long as he did. The writers and producers on the show, which include Levy, weren’t looking for the multi-season arc that eventually led to the marriage of the two characters. A large part of Patrick’s longevity can be attributed to Reid and his chemistry with Levy. However, Schitt’s Creek is known for not having fan-favorite couples end up together, as was the case with Alexis (Annie Murphy) and Ted (Dustin Milligan).

Thankfully, fans could see from the start that there was no one else for David but Patrick and rallied support for the pairing throughout the show. Without the overwhelming audience response, Patrick might have been written off the very same season he was introduced. Thankfully, no viewer has to live in a world where David and Patrick don’t happily walk down the aisle and start their lives together. It helped Patrick’s case that his introduction spurred some amazing character development in David as well.