Skip to main content

The 5 best romantic relationships on TV right now: Our top picks

We can't get enough of the tension of these couples, even the ones that aren't really together yet

It’s the season for romance, and is there really a better place to look for some relationship drama than our favorite shows? Television’s long-form storytelling allows for romantic relationships to develop, grow, or even decline in satisfying ways. When a romantic pairing is well-written and the actors bring a realistic chemistry to the partnership, it makes us think about our own love livesin completely new ways.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve decided to look at the five best romances on TV right now. Some of these couples are complicated, others are awkward, and some aren’t even together yet (and may never be). We think they’re still the best TV couples anyway.

Gregory Eddie and Janine Teagues (Abbott Elementary)

"Should we go out there and be normal together?" Gregory & Janine S02E10 [4/7] | Abbott Elementary

The 1990s had Ross and Rachel. The 2000s had Jim and Pam. Now the 2020s have Greg and Janine. There’s nothing quite like a “will they, won’t they” relationship to draw TV viewers to the edge of their seats every week, patiently awaiting the first kiss or “I love you” from a couple. These two elementary school teachers are spectacularly cringy yet adorable when they interact every week with the sexual tension seeping through their dialogue and their actions. Workplace romance adds yet another layer to the proceedings, as it’s always an interesting decision to date a coworker. Here’s to hoping Greg and Janine admit their feelings for each other sooner rather than later!

Mike Wheeler and Will Byers (Stranger Things)

stranger things: 4x04 mike and will heart-to-heart scene

The adorable friendship from the early seasons of Stranger Things between Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has started evolving into something potentially much deeper in the most recent episodes of the Netflix mega-hit. If it wasn’t already clear that Will was gay after watching him awkwardly fawn over Mike for much of the fourth season, the actor confirmed Will’s sexuality to the public in the aftermath of it airing.

Will is constantly hanging off of Mike’s every word, desperately seeking a deeper friendship than ever before and even creating elaborate paintings of Mike as a hero. The interesting wrench in this pairing is Mike has been in a relationship with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) for much of the show’s run. Barring a gay sexual awakening from Mike, it seems this romance might end up being unrequited. Regardless, that Netflix and creators Matt and Ross Duffer are even exploring a potential same-sex relationship in a show of this magnitude and popularity is vital. It has a chance to push the boundaries of LGBTQ+ storytelling and open doors for more mainstream queer representation on TV in the years to come.

Prince Wilhelm and Simon Eriksson (Young Royals)

Prince Wilhelm's Life-Changing Speech | Young Royals | Netflix Philippines

The most intimate, daring, and sensual relationship on TV belongs to a tiny production from Sweden. Young Royals tells the story of a crown prince and his lower-class schoolmate, two teenagers just trying to overcome their social divide to live happily ever after. The fact that theirs is a same-sex relationship is often secondary to the commentary on rich and poor, pulling back several layers on the struggles couples have when they come from different parts of the civic hierarchy. Prince Wilhelm’s coming out scene at the end of the second season is also one of the best in recent memory, a highwater mark for all other queer characters to strive for.

Hughie Campbell and Annie January (The Boys)

Hughie And Annie (Starlight) Singing Billy Joel - We Didn't Start the Fire | The Boys (2020) Scene

There’s nothing that feels all that genuine in Amazon Prime Video’s hilariously dark superhero satire, but the love between Hughie Campbell and Annie January is as real as it gets. Hughie immediately saw that Annie wasn’t like the rest of the superheroes employed by Vought, and Annie was thrilled to be treated like a normal person rather than a commodity for the first time in her life. The playfulness and innocence to this partnership is something that will continue to flourish when The Boys returns to our screens because Annie has officially dropped her role as Starlight and joined Hughie’s team of vigilantes once and for all.

Tom Wambsgans and Shiv Roy (Succession)

Tom finally confronts Shiv - Succession S02E10

The cut-throat, despicable world of Succession isn’t much of a hotbed for warm, fuzzy feelings between the main characters, yet toxic marriages are just as compelling as healthy ones on TV. When we look at a couple like Tom and Shiv, it allows us to contemplate the ways we use our own partners for selfish reasons. Shiv is the daughter of a multi-billion-dollar corporate stiff, and Tom is desperately trying to keep his head above the quicksand of the Roy family dumpster fire. After three seasons of a façade, Tom finally fought back against Shiv’s two-faced love in the third season finale, siding with her father in a battle for the family company.

Editors' Recommendations

Shawn Laib
Shawn Laib is a freelance writer with publications such as Den of Geek, Quote.com, Edge Media Network, diaTribe, SUPERJUMP…
Cigar humidor 101: What they are, how they work, and our top picks
A guide to all things cigar humidors
Cigar humidor

Some things get better as they age, including red wines, good high-quality cigars, and George Clooney. Ah, but that red wine will swill if stored upright in a warm, sunny room. And if you leave George Clooney out in the rain, he's probably not going to look his best. And if your cigars suffer overexposure to heat or cold, a glut of humidity, or even overly dry conditions, your prized Montecristo or Highclere stogie will soon taste like ash.

Let's talk about good cigars for a hot minute, specifically proper cigar storage, which depends on having a great humidor. Cigars need precisely controlled temperature and moisture levels to keep them fresh for long-term storage, and without a humidor, you won't be able to keep them at the proper humidity. A cigar will lose quality in less than two weeks without proper storage. With proper storage, however, cigars can improve with age. A smaller, paler cigar may be at its peak flavor profile after six months of careful storage, while a larger, darker, and more robust cigar may be at its best after two or three years.

Read more
Is It Cake?, Best Leftovers Ever!, Cooked, and more: The best food shows to stream on Netflix right now
Foodie options worth a watching binge
The Chef Show

It's probably for the best that the magical television from Willy Wonka doesn't exist, the one that delivers tasty food through the monitor. If that were the case, we'd be overeating as there are so many great food shows out there. Netflix especially has gone all-in with the culinary arts, streaming everything from hilarious shows about fake cake to educational programs about specific cuisines.

With spring in the air, it's time to get excited about food again. Gardens are blooming to life, ingredients are becoming available, and we're rightfully cleaning our grills as better weather sets in. And if that's not enough to make you hungry, we'll let the Michelin star chefs and others featured on these great Netflix food shows do the inspiring.

Read more
The best sci-fi movies on Hulu to stream right now
If sci-fi is your thing, you need to watch these Hulu movies
Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti in Palm Springs

Although you may know Hulu first and foremost for the many TV series it hosts, if you're looking for movies to watch, Hulu has also got you covered. The movies on Hulu are a mix of originals and titles that were originally released in theaters, but there are plenty worth exploring. In particular, Hulu has some of the best sci-fi movies you're likely to find on any service. Between original Hulu movies and other titles, Hulu's sci-fi movie selection can compete with those on any streamer. Here are nine of the best titles worth checking out now.

No One Will Save You (2023)

Read more