A goodromantic subplot often proves to be one of the most compelling partsof 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 audiencesa couple to truly root forand keep them invested in the TV show as theywatch the highs and lows of loveunfold 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.
10Schitt’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 Patrickare 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.
Schitt’s Creek
Cast
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.
Both David and Patrick helped to challenge, and eventually change each other.Schitt’s Creekis able to offer viewers a truly authentic view of their relationship while also focusing on other subplots at the same time.Theincredible chemistry the two hadon screen has made David and Patrick one of the most celebrated gay couples in TV history, and it’s easy to see why.
9Parks 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 ofParks and Recreation.While Ben and Leslie broke up briefly in season fourdue 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 becomeone 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.
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is a television series that premiered in 2009, focusing on Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana. She encounters various challenges from bureaucrats and citizens while striving to beautify the town through her role in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Their relationship doesn’t detract from the other compelling stories at play inParks 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.
8The Muppet Show
Kermit And Miss Piggy
The love-hate relationship between Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy onThe Muppet Show(and beyond!) has becomeone 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 withKermit’s laid-back demeanorplays a particularly big role in elevatingThe Muppet Show.
The Muppet Show
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.
Miss Piggy’s relentless pursuit of Kermit often provides some of the funniest momentsThe Muppetsfranchise 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, andKermit’s quiet affection for Piggy is genuine, despite the many other imperfections of their romance.
7Brooklyn 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 ofBrooklyn 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.
25 Best Enemies-To-Lovers Couples In Movies & TV, Ranked
The best enemies-to-lovers movies form a long history stretching back for over 80 years, with TV shows offering many popular examples too.
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 makesJake and Amy’s relationship so specialis how it plays such a big role inBrooklyn Nine-Nine’s story without overwhelming the narrative.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
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.
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.
6Game 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’sthe 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 asone of Game of Thrones' more surprising romantic highlights.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
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 typicalRomeo and Julietscenario, 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.
5The Walking Dead
Glenn And Maggie (Played By Steven Yeun And Lauren Cohan)
WhileThe Walking Deadoffers audiences a variety of romantic subplots to get attached to, none is more tender and enduringthan that between Glenn and Maggie. In the second season of the show,Glenn and Maggie are there merely to offer physical comfort to one anotherduring the apocalypse. However, it is clear that Glenn is harboring stronger feelings and begins to fall in love.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on June 17, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
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 humanityin 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.
4Fleabag
Fleabag And The Hot Priest (Played By Andrew Scott And Phoebe Waller-Bridge)
Fans ofFleabagwere 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 ofFleabag’s narrative
The chemistry between Fleabag and the Priest makes their relationship such a compelling part ofFleabag’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.
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.
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. Theirtragic parting of the waysinFleabag’s series finaleis heartbreaking, with the Priest delivering a simple phrase of advice as Fleabag confesses her love for him - “It’ll pass”.
3Modern Family
Jay And Gloria (Played By Ed O’Neill And Sofía Vergara)
Yes,Modern Familyis 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 isone couple that consistently stands the test of timeasone 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.
6 Best Romance TV Shows Of 2024
Halfway through 2024, a few romance TV shows have already captivated audiences with their heartbreaking and delightful love stories.
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.
Modern Family
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.
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 throughoutModern Family’s 11 seasons, and isundoubtedly the strongest romance in the show.
2The Office
Jim And Pam (Played By John Krasinski And Jenna Fischer)
WhileThe Officemay have ended its nine-season run with the wedding of Dwight and Angela, it isthe romantic subplot of Jim and Pamthat 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.
The Office
This mockumentary comedy series observes the mundane and humorous daily lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. It offers insights into office dynamics, personalities, and the eccentric behavior of both management and staff, depicting an ordinary workplace with extraordinary characters.
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 ofThe Officegrew to love.
1Friends
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 ofFriends' narrativeacross 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.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
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 relationshipthe greatest romantic TV subplot of all time.
