10 TV Shows With Good, Consistent Romance Subplots

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.