Fans of romance and drama will agree that the friends-to-lovers trope is one of the best ones to follow, especially on the TV screen. There’s just something about watching the evolution of platonic love into something deeper that strikes a chord with romantics’ hearts each time. Here are some of the best on-screen friends-to-lovers couples that featured onpopular teen drama series.
10Caroline and Stefan - The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diariesis asupernatural dramathat follows the life of Elena Gilbert. The story unfolds in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, where Elena becomes entangled with two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Caroline is Elena’s best friend, who gets caught up in the supernatural world as well.
They Were Destined to be Together
While Caroline’s romantic endeavors were plentiful throughout the eight seasons of the show, her relationship with Stefan was healthy and wholesome. They started as best friends when Stefan was constantly there for her and her mom, allowing her to trust him when she had no one else in her corner. Their romance bloomed in the last few seasons, finally leading up to a wedding with Damon officiating it. The scene during their vows, when Stefan tells Caroline she saved him from despair, is the ultimate reason why this ship sailed so well!
Vampire Diaries
9Brittany and Santana - Glee
Gleeis a musical comedy series that revolves around the fictional William McKinley High School club, New Directions. The show explores the lives of a diverse group of high school students who come together to express themselves through music. Santana and Brittany were both part of the club and got together later in the show as one of the show’s first same-sex couples.
They Made it Against All Odds
Their couple made it to the screens when same-sex couples were still a controversial subject to introduce in mainstream media, which is why it’s so iconic. It was heartwarming to watch how the two went from a complicated situation to publicly dating and then getting married despite their differences. They helped each other discover their sexuality and deal with the fallout. The scene where Brittany tells Santana that she voted for her as prom queen and that she believed in her when no one else did, explains their dynamic so well. They got each other in a way that no one else did, which is why it makes sense that they belonged together.
8Nate and Serena - Gossip Girl
Gossip Girlis centeredaround the lives of privileged teensresiding on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The series unfolds through the eyes of an anonymous blogger, Gossip Girl, who dishes out scandalous information about the characters. The primary focus is on a group of friends, including Serena, Blair, Nate, and Chuck, as they navigate the challenges of wealth, love, power, and friendship.
Their Compassion Made Way for Their Future
While Nate and Serena’s romance was short-lived, it was one of the best friend-to-lover relationships to see. They started as close friends during their childhoods and were always woven together given the surrounding drama. In season three, they have an adorable moment where Nate confesses he has been crazy about her all this time, finally getting them into a relationship. While they dated, they were titled the golden couple by The Gossip Girl, which is right given their compassion and happiness together.
Gossip Girl
7Allison and Scott - Teen Wolf
Teen Wolffollows the life of Scott McCall, a high school student living in Beacon Hills. The series starts with Scott getting bit by a werewolf and subsequently turning into one. As he struggles with his new identity, he learns to deal with the challenges and powers that come with being a werewolf.
How They Fell at First Sight
While Allison and Scott start as friendly neighbors, their chemistry is instant as they develop feelings for each other and begin dating. Even as they discover they can’t be together, since Scott is a werewolf and Allison belongs to a line of hunters, the two fight to keep their romance alive. When Allison breaks up with Scott, he tells her he will wait for her even if she doesn’t want him to, because he loves her. It’s as romantic as it gets!
Related:10 Teen Shows Like Heartstopper to Watch Next
6Joey and Pacey - Dawson’s Creek
Dawson’s Creekis a coming-of-age drama that revolves around the lives and relationships of a group of friends living in Capeside, Massachusetts. It centers around Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker with a passion for movies. It follows him and his friends as they journey from teen to adulthood, navigating relationships and life choices along the way.
The Most Awaited Couple That Stayed Together
While Joey and Pacey start as mere neighbors who can’t always stand each other, they evolve into a close friendship based on understanding and being there for each other. Their friendship has adorable moments along with quirky banter that has the audience rooting for them. When they finally give romance a chance in season 6, it’s cute and comforting to watch. The scene where Pacey buys Joey a wall after her Mural is ruined depicts why the duo are so compatible with each other.
Dawson’s Creek
5Hanna and Caleb - Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liarsis a mystery-thriller TV series. It begins with the disappearance of Alison DiLaurentis, the queen bee of a close-knit group of friends consisting of Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily. A year later, after their friend’s makeshift funeral, the remaining four friends start receivingmysterious messages from a figure known as “A,“who seems to know their deepest, darkest secrets.
There Was Drama, but Not Enough for Them to Drift Apart
The duo gets close as Hanna feels sorry for Caleb and offers him a place to stay at her house. Later, they develop feelings for each other but drift apart due to the drama surrounding A. They have a lot of on-again, off-again moments due to all the lies and secrets getting in the way; giving the audience just enough to ship them all along. In season 7, they finally realize they can’t be apart and get engaged. Caleb tells Hanna’s mother that Hanna is the best thing to ever happen to him, and he can’t spend his life without her.
Pretty Little Liars
4Seth and Summer - The O.C
The O.C.follows the life of Ryan, a troubled teen from Chino. Ryan is taken in by the wealthy but kind-hearted Cohen family in the upscale community of Newport Beach. The series follows Ryan as he navigates his life in Orange County after being adopted by the Cohen family.
When The Two Opposites Attract
Seth and Summer couldn’t be more different, given Summer’s popular girl reputation and Seth’s geeky guy reputation. But as the two befriend each other and then, later, get together; their romance is reliable and functional to witness. They helped humble each other and grow into better people. One of the most iconic scenes in the show is when Summer tells Seth he’s her destiny before leaving for a job she accepted.
3Magnus and Alec - Shadowhunters
Shadowhuntersis afantasy TV show based onThe Mortal Instrumentsbook series by Cassandra Clare. The show follows Clary Fray, who discovers on her 18th birthday that she is not entirely human but rather a Shadowhunter, a human-angel hybrid who has to hunt demons. As Clary deals with this newfound world, she forms alliances with other Shadowhunters; Jace, Alec, and Isabelle. Together, they navigate the dangerous supernatural world of demons, warlocks, vampires, and other magical beings.
Their Love Was Hinted at from the Very Beginning
Even though they belong to different worlds, since Magnus is a warlock, their attraction towards each other is evident from the very beginning. The two remain cordial initially until Alec finally confronts his feelings in front of everyone and leaves Lydia at the altar, kissing Magnus in front of the crowd.
Shadowhunters
Related:10 Best TV Shows About Being a Teenager
2Rory and Jess - Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girlsis a dramedy that revolves around the close-knit relationship between a mother and daughter, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. The series explores the ups and downs of their lives, relationships, and dreams as they go through them together.
They Have a Textbook Love Story That Stayed
What started as a mutual interest in books and occasional banter, Rory and Jess soon evolved into one of the most-rooted couples on the show. From their first kiss to the moment when Jess shows up in Stars Hallow after his disappearance and tells Rory he loves her, all their scenes will have the audience swooning.
Gilmore Girls
1Nathan and Haley - One Tree Hill
One Tree Hillrevolves around the lives of a group of young people living in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina. Spanning multiple characters and generations, the series depicts their evolving relationships, career aspirations, and the bonds forged in Tree Hill.
The Love That Made It Through All Seasons
Nathan and Haley were inarguably one of the best couples on the show. From being friends to falling in love and getting married at 16, the couple went through everything together and made it work no matter what came their way. In one of their initial scenes, Nathan tells Haley that if they can love each other forever, they should start now (at 16) by getting married. The audience will concur; loving each other is what they did all through the nine seasons of the show.
One Tree Hill
