As we come to the end of 2024, we start to look at all the best and worst moments. What about the best and worst TV couples? After all, there have been a lot on both sides.
Not all TV couples can and even should work out. They have no chemistry, or they just have too much baggage from the past to allow them to work out effectively. Then there are others that we find ourselves rooting for, especially when they finally get together after a long build-up.
Let’s take a look back at the best and worst TV couples. These aren’t all necessarily in romance shows, and we’re covering broadcast and streaming shows.
Best TV couple: Colin and Penelope in Bridgerton
Of course, book fans knew what was going to happen here. Each season of Bridgerton follows the story of one Bridigerton sibling falling in love and getting married. For season 3, it was all about Colin and Penelope.
We knew the season would bring highs and lows. Colin had to realize that he does love Penelope after all this time of her just being a friend. Then he had to find out that she was Lady Whistledown and figure out what to do with that news. Penelope had to decide whether she was going to give Colin a chance after he ignored her for so long—well, of course she would!
The two made it clear that they have the sparks we needed for the season. They are also a great couple worth rooting for. We’re here for it.
Worst TV couple: Lucas and Simone in Grey’s Anatomy
I initially put Teddy and Owen on this list, but at least the two of them have chemistry at times. Sometimes, I have to wonder if Simone even likes Lucas. There’s so much wrong with this Grey’s Anatomy pairing, and I can’t tell if it’s the acting or the writing.
Simone made it clear that she resents Lucas for being part of the Shepherd family, claiming that he uses his name to get ahead. He’s never done that, and he’s even behind Simone having to repeat his intern year. While there’s nothing wrong with her being disappointed in not getting a surgery, the way she treats Lucas instead of supporting him is deplorable.
Best TV couple: Jane and Guildford in My Lady Jane
I’m still salty that this series was canceled, but at least we got an amazing couple on TV. My Lady Jane brought us a retelling of Lady Jane Grey’s story, and it was a chance to see what could have been for Jane and Guildford.
Sparks flew immediately for the two of them, although neither would like to admit it. They ended up protecting and supporting each other. While Guildford thought Jane was just another royal lady, he admitted he was wrong once he realized it. Jane was there when Guildford needed her, hiding his supernatural abilities and somewhat of a curse while he figured out how to control his power. This is everything we need in a couple to show what love really means.
Worst TV couple: Carmy and Claire in The Bear
One of the worst things about TV shows is when they dig their heals into a failing romance. Grey’s Anatomy has done it time and time again, and now The Bear is doing it. Carmy and Claire just don’t work. This is no shade to the actors as they’re doing a great job with their characters in other parts of the show, but they don’t have the chemistry to make this romance believable.
It also doesn’t help that Claire is in the way of Carmy getting to what we would like his endgame romance to be. They two don’t have the spark that make us look forward to a love triangle. Does anyone else feel like skipping through their scenes together?
Best TV couple: Ruby and James in Maxton Hall
The trope of two people from different classes hating each other and then falling in love is one of the most overdone things in TV. If you initially rolled your eyes at the idea of it in Maxton Hall, you’re not alone. And yet, this one worked extremely well.
Ruby and James had the chemistry needed to pull this one off and find us rooting for them. Okay, the actors had the chemistry, and most of the time, that is what makes or breaks a romance. We got to see the couple as they went from antagonists to lovers, and it didn’t feel rushed or unbelievable. Now they need to fight against the odds to stay together, and we’ll get to see that in season 2!