advertisememt

Top 10 Will They/Won't They TV Couples

Top 10 Will They/Won't They TV Couples
VOICE OVER: Samantha Clinch WRITTEN BY: Sammie Purcell
They they? Won't they? These couples kept us all guessing! For this list, we'll be looking at the best slow burn television romances. Our countdown includes "The Nanny," "New Girl," "Friends," and more!

Top 10 Will They Won't They TV Couples


Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Will They Won’t They TV Couples

For this list, we’ll be looking at the best slow burn television romances. Plot points will be discussed, so consider this your spoiler alert!

Did we miss any of your preferred couples? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: Fran Fine & Maxwell Sheffield
“The Nanny” (1993-99)


Workplace relationships can be complicated – especially between a boss and employee. So we understand why it took Fran and Max the better part of five seasons to figure themselves out. The tension was palpable! But everything worked out in the end. Throughout “The Nanny,” Max attempts to keep things platonic between him and Fran. He’s a widower, and is afraid of being unable to commit to another woman. But the thing about Fran is, she’s a pretty unstoppable and irresistible force. The fifth season marks the start of a new chapter in their journey, as Max pulls himself together and reveals how he feels – this time, with no take backs.

#9: Leslie Knope & Ben Wyatt
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15; 2020)


Real, long-lasting relationships are built on mutual trust and respect. And also stanning the heck out of your wife, which is exactly what Ben Wyatt does. Ben and Leslie meet during the second season of “Parks and Recreation,” and while they initially butt heads, they quickly become close. While it was pretty obvious to audiences that these two belonged together from the jump, it took them a bit longer to figure that out for themselves. From restrictions on workplace relationships, to election mishaps, it seems there was always something in Leslie and Ben’s way. Luckily for us, this is a sitcom and things always work out. By season five, we were pretty positive they’d be together forever.

#8: Temperance “Bones” Brennan & Seeley Joseph Booth
“Bones” (2005-17)


Sometimes, the “will they/won’t they” question is enough to keep a television show going strong. In the case of “Bones,” it was enough to give substance to six entire seasons. From the very beginning of the series, Temperance Brennan and Seeley Booth clash over almost everything. From religion to science, you’d be hard pressed to find something they do agree on. But despite those differences, the two bond over their shared need to do the right thing – and also a physical attraction that won’t quit. The wild chemistry between actors Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz was enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats for years.

#7: Fox Mulder & Dana Scully
“The X-Files” (1993-2002; 2016-18)


When it comes to slow burn romances, these two might take the cake for keeping us waiting the longest. Mulder and Scully created the mold for so many crime show romances that were to come after them. But to this day, they remain one of our favorites. It took seven seasons for them to initially get together, and some might say their attraction only started in the show’s later years. But we think these two sort of always had a thing for each other. Watching those early episodes, their mutual care for each other becomes more than apparent – and those long yearning looks are more frequent than you think.

#6: Jessica Day & Nick Miller
“New Girl” (2011-18)


These sitcom writers loved to keep us guessing. OG fans of “New Girl” wanted Nick and Jess to get together basically from the jump. As early as the show’s first season, the pair’s individual quirks make them seem like soulmates, weirdly enough. And when it comes to physical attraction? Actors Jake Johnson and Zooey Deschanel really sell it. But while there were high points for our favorite couple throughout “New Girl’s” run, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In fact, leading up to the final season’s time jump, we weren’t sure if Jess and Nick would actually make it work. Luckily for us, they did.

#5: Sam Malone & Diane Chambers
“Cheers” (1982-93)


Most of our favorite unpredictable couples ultimately end up together. But sometimes, things just aren’t meant to be. Throughout most of “Cheers’” run, the chemistry between these two coworkers is off the charts. Constant bickering (read, flirting) defined much of their bond. But after seasons of that, hook ups, and break ups, they decide to tie the knot. Our hopes of them finally making it are shattered fast though, as Diane ends up moving away to focus on becoming a writer. The showrunners fake us out again in the series finale, when Sam and Diane once again get engaged – only to call it off.

#4: Maddie Hayes & David Addison Jr.
“Moonlighting” (1985-89)


“Moonlighting” starred Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd as David Addison Jr. and Maddie Hayes, two private eyes who loved to hate each other. Or is it hated to love each other? We couldn’t say, but that constant tension kept audiences coming back for more. And who can blame them? Willis and Shepherd had some of the hottest chemistry on TV, whether they were fighting or embracing. The show didn’t have a whole lot of episodes, but when Maddie and David finally did get intimate, audiences went wild. Sixty million people tuned in to watch the question of whether or not they would get answered with a resounding yes.

#3: Daphne Moon & Niles Crane
“Frasier” (1993-2004)


Having a good “will they/won’t they” couple can do wonderful things for a show’s viewership. So, it behooves writers to keep the tension going for as long as humanly possible. The “Frasier” team seemingly took that idea to heart! For seven years, we watched raptly as Niles and Daphne danced around their feelings for each other. While Niles was the first to fall (and hard), it was clear that Daphne felt the same before the truth came out. Finally, at the end of season seven, the two’s romantic journey came to a close – or a beginning, you might say. The energy between them is so sweet, and we’re delighted their story ended in a “will they.”

#2: Rachel Green & Ross Geller
“Friends” (1994-2004)


From that coffee shop kiss, to the break, to an unexpected baby and so much more, Rachel and Ross went through the gamut of emotions on “Friends.” And to the writers’ credit, we were left wondering what would happen up until the very end. Things weren’t always easy for this “will they/won’t they” couple — far from it. And sure, maybe they would’ve been content with some of their other love interests. But when you find your lobster, you can’t let them go. And while we hope Rachel got the chance to go to Paris eventually, we’re glad she got off the plane in the meantime.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jeff Winger & Annie Edison, “Community” (2009-15)
Their Journey Was a Wild One

Amy Sosa & Jonah Simms, “Superstore” (2015-21)
Proving Tornados Are the Most Romantic Storms

Mindy Lahiri & Danny Castellano, “The Mindy Project” (2012-17)
Iconic Enemies to Lovers

Elliot Stabler & Olivia Benson, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1999-)
They Certainly Haven’t Been Afraid to Take Their Time

Joey Potter & Pacey Witter, “Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003)
The True Soulmates of the Series

#1: Pam Beesly & Jim Halpert
“The Office” (2005-13)


In true “will they/won’t they” fashion, the first few seasons of this couple’s journey was extremely fraught. But in the seasons after, they continuously proved to us that they were 100% meant to be together. From the very beginning of “The Office,” it was obvious that Pam and Jim really liked each other. But if we’re being honest, they both had a lot of growing up to do before they could commit to each other fully. Three seasons of strife later, they finally did. That moment where Jim pokes his head in through the door and asks Pam on a date is still one of our favorites ever. The look on her face is priceless.
Comments
advertisememt