By Tom Lowe
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Romance
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A good romantic subplot often proves to be one of the most compelling parts of any TV show. It can elevate the show from being just entertaining to an unforgettable take on the nuances and variety of love out there. These subplots can give audiences a couple to truly root for and keep them invested in the TV show as they watch the highs and lows of love unfold before their very eyes.
These great romantic subplots add an intriguing dynamic to an already compelling narrative, even when the plotline isn't fully centered around it. Each relationship brings with it something unique, whether it's humor, tragedy, or a combination of both. Whether that's the doomed love of two people on opposing sides of a war, or a 10-season-long slow burn, these TV shows truly knew how to write some of the best romantic subplots in history.
10 Schitt's Creek
David And Patrick (Played By Dan Levy And Noah Reid)
The relationship between David Rose (Dan Levy) and Patrick Brewer (Noah Reid) quickly became the beating heart of the comedy series, Schitt's Creek. From their first awkward business meeting, to their wedding in the series finale, Schitt's Creek's David and Patrick are one of the most heartwarming couples in TV history. After years of not truly knowing what he wanted from a relationship, seeing David end up with the right man was a true pleasure to watch.
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9/10
10/10
Schitt's Creek
TV-14
Schitt's Creek is a sitcom series created by and starring Dan and Eugene Levy. When the Rose family's business manager embezzles funds from their fortune, they discover that all of their money is gone except for one last piece of property - a small town called Schitt's Creek that they purchased for fun years ago. Now forced to acclimate to an average, borderline impoverished life, the Rose family will attempt to make due with what they have while trying to revitalize the town.
- Cast
- Catherine O'Hara , Dan Levy , Noah Reid , Emily Hampshire , Tim Rozon , Dustin Milligan , Eugene Levy , Jennifer Robertson , Chris Elliott , Annie Murphy
- Release Date
- January 13, 2015
- Seasons
- 6
- Showrunner
- Dan Levy , Eugene Levy
Both David and Patrick helped to challenge, and eventually change each other. Schitt's Creek is able to offer viewers a truly authentic view of their relationship while also focusing on other subplots at the same time. The incredible chemistry the two had on screen has made David and Patrick one of the most celebrated gay couples in TV history, and it's easy to see why.
9 Parks And Recreation
Ben And Leslie (Played By Adam Scott And Amy Poehler)
The relationship between Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) forms the primary romantic crux of Parks and Recreation. While Ben and Leslie broke up briefly in season four due to Chris' rule of no fraternizing in local government, their relationship was able to survive this bump.
Their defiance of the rules, and their mutual understanding of one another's personal ambitions, is what makes Ben and Leslie's relationship one of the best TV romantic subplots in history.
Their marriage in season five has become one of the best TV weddings of all time, and proved that the politics of local government was no match for their love. Their defiance of the rules, and their mutual understanding of one another's personal ambitions, is what makes Ben and Leslie's relationship one of the best TV romantic subplots in history.
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9/10
8.5/10
Parks and Recreation
This political sitcom full of humor and heart follows the adventures of Leslie Knope, deputy director of the Parks Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Every week holds a new crisis of small-town politics, but Leslie and her friends work tirelessly to make Pawnee — and the world — a better place.
- Cast
- Amy Poehler , Nick Offerman , Chris Pratt2 , Aubrey Plaza , Adam Scott , Rashida Jones , Retta , Jim O'Heir , Aziz Ansari , Rob Lowe
- Release Date
- April 9, 2009
- Seasons
- 7
- Network
- NBC
- Directors
- Michael Schur
Their relationship doesn't detract from the other compelling stories at play in Parks and Recreation, but the audience is constantly aware that they are always there. Their evolution from tense professional partnership to marriage is heartwarming to watch, and is a reflection of the love and joy of their romance.
8 The Muppet Show
Kermit And Miss Piggy
The love-hate relationship between Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show (and beyond!) has become one of the most iconic romances in pop culture history. Their on-again, off-again relationship, coupled with the undeniable chemistry at play, has cemented Kermit and Miss Piggy's relationship as one of the greatest TV has ever seen. The way that Miss Piggy's larger-than-life personality interacts with Kermit's laid-back demeanor plays a particularly big role in elevating The Muppet Show.
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The Muppet Show
TV-G
The Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson, features Kermit the Frog and his quirky ensemble of muppet friends as they attempt to stage a weekly variety show. The series showcases comedic sketches, musical performances, and the backstage antics of its diverse, often chaotic cast of characters.
- Cast
- Jim Henson , Frank Oz , Jerry Nelson , Dave Goelz , Richard Hunt , Eren Ozker , Louise Gold , Kathryn Mullen , Steve Whitmire , Karen Prell , Brian Muehl , Bob Payne
- Release Date
- September 5, 1976
- Seasons
- 5
- Creator(s)
- Jim Henson
Miss Piggy's relentless pursuit of Kermit often provides some of the funniest moments The Muppets franchise has ever seen. Kermit's caution when it comes to Miss Piggy is the perfect foil for this, causing them to become one of the most hilarious, but heartwarming couples in TV history. While they may break up and often reconcile, the core of their relationship is one of true tenderness, and Kermit's quiet affection for Piggy is genuine, despite the many other imperfections of their romance.
7 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Jake And Amy (Played By Andy Samberg And Melissa Fumero)
The relationship between Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) is a slow burn at first, but eventually turns into one of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's most compelling and delightful subplots. While Jake and Amy are initially depicted as rival detectives working for the same police precinct, their dynamic is one built upon mutual respect and friendly competition.
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It is this strong dynamic that sets the foundation for their relationship, which sparks midway through the first season, as Jake takes Amy out on the "worst date ever" as part of a bet. What makes Jake and Amy's relationship so special is how it plays such a big role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine's story without overwhelming the narrative.
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8/10
8.6/10
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
TV-14
From the creative minds of Dan Goor and Michael Schur comes Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a police comedy series set in the NYPD's fictional 99th precinct. Headed by the comedically serious Captain Raymond Holt and protagonist Jake Peralta, the detectives of the 99 deal with burglaries, drug deals, and oddities in New York City, occasionally steering into real-world issues surrounding police perception and social concerns in the 2010s and earlier. Each detective has their own unique personality that makes them stand out, creating endearing dynamics that helped the show thrive for eight seasons.
- Cast
- Stephanie Beatriz , Melissa Fumero , Andy Samberg , Andre Braugher , Joel McKinnon Miller , Dirk Blocker , Terry Crews , Chelsea Peretti , Joe Lo Truglio
- Release Date
- September 17, 2013
- Seasons
- 8
- Network
- FOX , NBC
Jake helps Amy show off her more quirky and childish side, while Amy brings out the hidden maturity of Jake. They are, undeniably, a perfect match for one another. As they navigate their personal and professional lives together, Jake and Amy still maintain that pinch of friendly competition that made the characters so compelling from the pilot.
6 Game Of Thrones
Jon And Ygritte (Played By Kit Harington And Rose Leslie)
At a glance, the world of Westeros depicted in Game of Thrones does not seem like a ripe place to nurture a healthy relationship. Whether that's the incest of Jaime and Cersei, or Joffrey's sadism towards Sansa, it's almost impossible to find a consistently loving couple on the show. However, the relationship between Jon Snow and Ygritte stands out as one of Game of Thrones' more surprising romantic highlights.
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10/10
47 9.4/10
Game Of Thrones
TV-MA
Based on George R.R. Martin's novels, this fantasy series follows the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The series is known for its complex characters, political intrigue, and unexpected plot twists.
- Cast
- Kit Harington , Isaac Hempstead Wright , Iain Glen , Peter Dinklage , Nikolaj Coster-Waldau , Emilia Clarke , Maisie Williams , Sophie Turner , John Bradley , Lena Headey , Liam Cunningham , Aidan Gillen , Alfie Allen , Conleth Hill , Rory McCann , Jerome Flynn , Jacob Anderson , Kristofer Hivju , Gwendoline Christie , Nathalie Emmanuel , Carice Van Houten , Natalie Dormer , Stephen Dillane , Charles Dance , Charlotte Hope , Michelle Fairley , Jack Gleeson , Richard Madden , Hannah Murray , Sibel Kekilli , Julian Glover , Brenock O'Connor , Rose Leslie , Michael McElhatton
- Release Date
- April 17, 2011
- Seasons
- 8
- Directors
- David Nutter , Alan Taylor , D.B. Weiss , David Benioff
- Creator(s)
- David Benioff , D.B. Weiss
They meet north of The Wall in season two, and it is clear from the outset that the two have a spark that will overcome their differences. Jon is a man of the Night's Watch, the sworn enemy of the wildings from whom Ygritte comes. It's a typical Romeo and Juliet scenario, with Jon eventually giving in to his desires and falling in love, despite their relationship being forbidden by the oath that he swore.
Ygritte's iconic line, "You know nothing, Jon Snow" encapsulates the playfulness of their relationship, and their romance stands out as a profoundly romantic subplot amid the chaos of Westeros. However, like Romeo and Juliet, their relationship ends in tragedy when Ygritte is struck by an arrow and dies in Jon's arms.
5 The Walking Dead
Glenn And Maggie (Played By Steven Yeun And Lauren Cohan)
While The Walking Dead offers audiences a variety of romantic subplots to get attached to, none is more tender and enduring than that between Glenn and Maggie. In the second season of the show, Glenn and Maggie are there merely to offer physical comfort to one another during the apocalypse. However, it is clear that Glenn is harboring stronger feelings and begins to fall in love.
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8/10
13 8.8/10
The Walking Dead
Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
- Cast
- Steven Yeun , Andrew Lincoln , Chandler Riggs , Laurie Holden , Jeffrey DeMunn , Sarah Wayne Callies , Melissa McBride , Norman Reedus , Jon Bernthal , Iron E. Singleton
- Release Date
- October 31, 2010
- Seasons
- 11
- Network
- AMC
- Directors
- Greg Nicotero
This is a romantic subplot that offers a glimpse of what true love would like in a world overrun by the undead. It is a rare portrayal of hope and humanity in a world that seems to have no need for either of these. Glenn's death at the hands of Negan in season seven is tragic to watch, particularly Maggie's gut-wrenching reaction, and his final line, "Maggie, I'll find you". However, their love endures beyond this, as Maggie is portrayed as a grieving widow, who eventually forgives Negan for his actions, but never forgets how strong her love for Glenn was.
4 Fleabag
Fleabag And The Hot Priest (Played By Andrew Scott And Phoebe Waller-Bridge)
Fans of Fleabag were thrown into the deep end when the second season introduced a love interest for the titular character. While out for dinner with her obnoxious family, Fleabag is sat next to the Hot Priest, the man who will be officiating the upcoming wedding of Fleabag's father. The episode where Fleabag and the Hot Priest meet is one of the best TV episodes of all time, and sets up a romantic subplot for the ages.
The chemistry between Fleabag and the Priest makes their relationship such a compelling part of Fleabag's narrative
The chemistry between Fleabag and the Priest makes their relationship such a compelling part of Fleabag's narrative. Amid the swirling themes of feminism, trauma, and guilt, a love story could have derailed the entire show. Instead, it made it one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
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9/10
9.8/10
Fleabag
Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern-day London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag's grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business, and her complicated relationships with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge's award-winning one-woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.
- Cast
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge , Sian Clifford , Andrew Scott , Brett Gelman
- Release Date
- June 21, 2016
- Seasons
- 2
- Network
- BBC
- Directors
- Harry Bradbeer
The Priest's attempts to grapple between his love for Fleabag and his religious teachings is one of the most unique takes on love ever, and emphasizes the human desire for connection. Their tragic parting of the ways in Fleabag's series finale is heartbreaking, with the Priest delivering a simple phrase of advice as Fleabag confesses her love for him - "It'll pass".
3 Modern Family
Jay And Gloria (Played By Ed O'Neill And Sofía Vergara)
Yes, Modern Family is a sitcom that has some particularly egregious romance subplots, such as Dylan and Hayley ending up together, or Cam's toxicity towards Mitch. However, there is one couple that consistently stands the test of time as one of the best TV romances ever - Jay and Gloria. Jay is a grumpy man, set in his ways, and Gloria is a vibrant young woman with a fiery personality.
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At a glance their relationship may seem like a stereotypical pairing of a rich man with a younger woman, but Modern Family flips this trope on its head. It becomes apparent very quickly that Gloria is not interested in Jay for his money, but for who he is as a person.
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9/10
Modern Family
TV-PG
Modern Family is a comedy series that follows the unconventional Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family as they redefine what makes a family in their modern age. Broken into sub-families, the three diverse groups shake up the nuclear formula with empty nesters, adopted children, gender neutrality, and more as they attempt to navigate the various pitfalls and comedic misadventures of their dysfunctional but warm-hearted family dynamic.
- Cast
- Ed O'Neill , Sofia Vergara , Julie Bowen , Ty Burrell , Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Eric Stonestreet , Sarah Hyland , Ariel Winter , Nolan Gould , Rico Rodriguez
- Release Date
- September 23, 2009
- Seasons
- 11
- Network
- ABC
Despite their deeply embedded cultural differences, their relationship is built on mutual respect, love, and affection. Gloria brings out Jay's spontaneity and passion, while Jay embraces Gloria's culture, going so far as to learn Spanish in the series finale. This subplot exists throughout Modern Family's 11 seasons, and is undoubtedly the strongest romance in the show.
2 The Office
Jim And Pam (Played By John Krasinski And Jenna Fischer)
While The Office may have ended its nine-season run with the wedding of Dwight and Angela, it is the romantic subplot of Jim and Pam that provides the sitcom with one of its best overarching narratives. It is obvious from the outset that there is something more than friendship between Dunder Mifflin Scranton's receptionist and sales representative, but this relationship seems to be going nowhere as Pam is engaged.
It's clear to audiences that Jim and Pam are meant to be together, and the buildup to their relationship is often more compelling than their relationship itself. The stolen glances and inside jokes of the earlier seasons are some of the most subtle moments of romantic foreshadowing in TV history, and helped to lay the foundations for Jim and Pam's relationship.
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9/10
11 9.1/10
The Office
The Office is the U.S. remake of the British comedy mockumentary series of the same name. The show follows the misadventures of a Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, led by their unconventional and clueless boss, Michael Scott. The series covers nine years of footage as they find themselves recorded through their work days and off times.
- Cast
- Mindy Kaling , Jenna Fischer , Kate Flannery , Ed Helms , Craig Robinson , Paul Lieberstein , Ellie Kemper , B.J. Novak , Angela Kinsey , Oscar Nunez , Rainn Wilson , Brian Baumgartner , Phyllis Smith , Leslie David Baker , Creed Bratton , Steve Carell , John Krasinski
- Release Date
- March 24, 2005
- Seasons
- 9
- Network
- NBC
- Directors
- Greg Daniels , Paul Lieberstein , Paul Feig , Randall Einhorn , Ken Kwapis
From the emotion of their wedding, to the birth of their child, Jim and Pam are a perfect blend of humor and heart. While the subplot about their long-distance challenges may be unnecessary, this does very little to detract from the strong romantic narrative that fans of The Office grew to love.
1 Friends
Ross And Rachel (Played By David Schwimmer And Jennifer Aniston)
Undeniably the most iconic sitcom romance of all time, and a masterclass in how to execute a TV slow burn, the relationship between Ross and Rachel forms a major part of Friends' narrative across all 10 of its seasons. Ross and Rachel are a couple that have become a cultural phenomenon, with their relationship being filled with countless memorable moments that have cemented their places in TV history.
Ross and Rachel are a couple that have become a cultural phenomenon
Ross has an unrequited crush on Rachel. They get together. They go on a break. Ross cheats. They break up. They have a baby together. They finally reconcile in the series finale. Their chemistry is undeniable, and is a major part of what makes Ross and Rachel so endearing to audiences.
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9/10
8/10
Friends
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
- Cast
- Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , Matt LeBlanc , Matthew Perry , David Schwimmer
- Release Date
- September 22, 1994
- Seasons
- 10
- Network
- NBC
- Directors
- David Crane , Marta Kauffman
Friends creates a sense that, despite the ups and downs, despite the break, despite their numerous romantic partners, Ross and Rachel are meant to be together. It's an impressive feat of TV writing to keep audiences hooked on a potential relationship for 10 seasons, and makes their relationship the greatest romantic TV subplot of all time.
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