Image via Netflix
Published Feb 12, 2026, 8:57 AM EST
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK.
In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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When it comes to romance, television knows how to do it right. The beauty of a TV series is the chance to watch love blossom. Maybe they're a couple we know will come to fruition at some point. Perhaps it's a will-they-won't-they arc that runs through multiple seasons. Or maybe they were our favorite couple from the first episode. Whatever way they began their romance, watching their relationship evolve has been a joy.
With so many great couples in television history, the past five years have given us some extraordinary pairs that have entered the couple hall of fame. From sitcom pairings to drama’s finest, these duos are giving couple goals. For this list, we're specifically focusing on shows that began within the last five years. While some romances have blossomed before that goalpost and are still running today, these couples fall within this window of conversation.
10 Bill and Frank
'The Last of Us' (2023–Present)
Image via HBOThe beauty of building upon source material is giving smaller characters or plot an opportunity to flourish in ways unimaginable. The Last of Us, inspired by the video game franchise, is about the collapse of society following a mass fungal infection that turns humans into zombie-like creatures. As Season 1 invited audiences to see the threat of these creatures through Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie's (Bella Ramsey) journey west, taking a pit stop in the past allowed the depths of this killer plague to resonate through a heartbreaking exploration of loss and love. In the very exploratory and risky third episode, The Last of Us journeys to the past to tell the story of Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett). By telling the story of undying love and devotion of two men pulled apart by circumstance, it heightened the stakes of The Last of Us while offering a tonal departure.
Thanks in part to the brilliant performances by Offerman and Barlett, "Long, Long Time" can be considered one of the greatest singular episodes of television in recent memory. By richly enhancing the scope of the series, this episode provided a rare moment of levity within the apocalyptic story. Having such an immediate connection to Frank and Bill gave audiences a reason to want to learn more. Their love was genuine. The ups and downs of their relationship were quickly put on display, but at its core was a genuine connection between two people who held each other up through romantic exploration to their devastating deaths. This was the love we aspired toward.
9 Tai Turner and Van Palmer
'Yellowjackets' (2021–Present)
Image via ShowtimeOne might think that a story about a girls' soccer team stranded in the wild that turns to cannibalism to survive couldn't have a romantic subplot. In fact, that's the intrigue of the survival thriller. Sometimes it's the emotional connections built upon trauma that bring two individuals closer together and further apart simultaneously. Yellowjackets is a lot of things, and a brilliant character study is one of them. Spanning from their 1996 plane crash and into the present, Tai Turner (Jasmin Savoy Brown and Tawny Cypress) and Van Palmer (Liv Hewson and Lauren Ambrose) start the series in a secret romance prior to survival. But as Tai develops a psychogenic fugue, their relationship becomes tattered. It's only in the present after an emotional reconnection that their spark ignites again.
Though Tai has a wife in Simone (Rukiya Bernard), there's no denying the love Tai and Van have for one another. There is a soulmate element to their love. Having a shared experience before and during the crash makes the second chance so emotionally gripping for viewers. Though they could be seen as codependent or borderline toxic, regardless, they know each other in a manner that no one else in the universe does. Trauma-bonded for life, these "cosmically connected" women, as Ambrose puts it, will do whatever it takes to remain in each other's lives, even if terminal cancer for Van impedes that possibility. Having the chance to see the past and the present makes you root for this pair, despite the dark side of Tai arriving once again. They're a complicated couple, but the complexity is what makes them so fascinating on screen.
8 Hawk Fuller and Tim Laughlin
'Fellow Travelers' (2023)
Image via ShowtimeThough it may seem like a minor success, when a mainstream television series offers two out gay men the chance to portray two gay characters, a slight intrigue is developed. Such was the case with the 2023 miniseries Fellow Travelers. Based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon, the series is part political thriller, part historical romance. Following the volatile romance between Hawk Fuller (Matt Bomer), a World War II veteran and official at the State Department, and Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey), a young and idealistic congressional staffer. Spanning the Vietnam War through the AIDS crisis, these obstacles serve as a backdrop to the stability of their romantic entanglement.
Fellow Travelers became a critically acclaimed and award-winning series, thanks in part to the two men leading it. Both Bomer and Bailey brought an inherently natural essence to their characters, understanding the root of each character. Rather than giving us a period piece in which a gay couple finds love, Fellow Travelers invites audiences to understand the difficulties of being a gay man across various decades. Whether it was the political turmoil that kept them out of the political realm or the hardships of a disease ravaging an entire community, Hawk and Tim fought through those troubles to find each other.
7 Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov
'Heated Rivalry' (2025–Present)
Image via CraveIf there's one series that is heating up the globe, look no further than Heated Rivalry. Lifted from the book series by Rachel Reid, the steamy series brings the story of Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) to life. From rivals on the ice to lovers at the cottage, audiences have been completely taken by the queer hockey couple. What seems to have made this duo so instantly beloved is the honesty of their journey. Instead of instantly making them a couple, Heated Rivalry brought a wonderful romance to life through its season-long slow burn.
The smut has been the invitation into the series, but the intimacy, emotional connection, and intense chemistry are what you ultimately find. From the small gesture of ginger ale and a tuna melt to an invitation to a holiday away at the cottage, though an elongated timeline, Ilya and Shane had a natural progression toward becoming official boyfriends. With a highly anticipated Season 2 on its way, audiences cannot wait to see, if the series follows the novels, an eventual "I do."
6 Penelope and Colin Bridgerton
'Bridgerton' (2020–Present)
Image via NetflixDepending on who writes this list will absolutely determine which couple is the ultimate couple of Bridgerton. As much as I would love to be romanced by Lord Anthony Bridgerton (Bailey), his second season romance with Kathani Sharma (Simone Ashley) was just sweet. Season 1 defined the show, but we’ve seldom seen or heard from Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Bassett (Regé-Jean Page). And then, of course, Season 4 gives us Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), but Benedict is a complicated fellow. So that leaves us with the longest-running friends-to-lovers dynamic: Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). These two are the definition of slow burn.
Whether you're still miffed at her identity as Lady Whistledown or not, Coughlin makes you adore the underdog that is Penelope. She longed forever for Colin, and when it finally happened, it gave us all who might not be the stunning swan that there is hope that unrequited love might become required when the timing is right. Polin is proof that a long-lasting friendship built on admiration and understanding can evolve into a passionate and profound romantic entanglement. Penelope was forever head over heels for Colin, who always appreciated Penelope's wit and intellect. From platonic to fiery, it took personal growth, exploration, and time to understand that their connection was more than just friendship. Everyone has a soft spot for these two!
5 Belly Conklin and Conrad Fisher
'The Summer I Turned Pretty' (2022–2025)
In this year of 2026, the overwhelmingly beloved The Summer I Turned Pretty is over and we simply await a movie. And, unless something mindblowing happens in the interim, it's Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) and Conrad Fisher (Christopher Birney) forever. If you loved the series for its flippancy or loved to hate it for the young love whiplash of a young girl who simply can't decide between two overtly attractive brothers, what we can say is we have a final decision. It was always going to be Bonrad. It's what Susanna (Rachel Blanchard) wanted. As much as Jelly, or Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), and Belly were fun at times, there was no way he was going to be mature enough for a healthy relationship. Though Belly has her own faults, no one brought out her true self better than Conrad.
Conrad was occasionally rough around the edges, but he was simply in love with a girl unable to fully grasp her own feelings. We consider this couple great because of our enduring passion and investment in them. Yes, they may have had lows where they fought and vowed to never speak again, but when they were on the same page, it was everlasting love we aspired to achieve. The Summer I Turned Pretty is the young, modern version of flying across the world for love. Through growth and maturity, their long history will simply be a story to tell the grandkids when they summer in Cousins. If creator Jenny Han pulls a fast one in the movie, well, then love isn’t real!
4 Joanne Williams and Noah Roklov
'Nobody Wants This' (2024–Present)
Image via NetflixWhen Nobody Wants This debuted on Netflix in 2024, it emerged as a sleeper hit. The charming comedy follows the unlikely romance of two individuals divided by faith. Joanne Williams (Kristen Bell) is an agnostic podcaster about sex and dating. Noah Roklov (Adam Brody) is an outspoken, handsome rabbi. With outside forces and beliefs pulling them apart, Nobody Wants This shows how two people so deeply in love can overcome anything when they truly want to be together. Through two seasons, the series has served as a resurgence for both Bell and Brody, whose chemistry with one another shines brightly.
There are certainly complexities within this compelling pairing. It was another example of not if, but when. They're persistent thanks in part to their electric, magnetic chemistry and honest, vulnerable communication that bridges their two very different worlds. What makes them a healthy combo and a potentially inspiring couple is that, despite their differing perspectives, they choose love and each other over conflicts about faith and lifestyle. They might represent the most modern and raw couple out of any on this list. It's a major factor that has drawn audiences to Nobody Wants This, which the title is entirely untrue at this point. There is so much more room for growth should the series carry on for seasons to come.
3 Wanda Maximoff & Vision
'WandaVision' (2021)
Image via Disney+The MCU is often about big action sequences and seeing your favorite characters on the big screen. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for some romance here and there. First meeting Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) during their run in the films, they were both brought to Disney+ for a highly experimental MCU series: WandaVision. The result was an extraordinary series that followed their romance, albeit via a spell, through a decades-spanning homage to sitcoms. And, through each trope, we were given the chance to see their relationship shine in uniquely stereotypical episodes. And we wouldn't have it any other way!
The overall scope of Wanda and Vision's relationship is perfect, though extremely tragic. Their deep, soul-level connection is rooted in the Mind Stone, which powers Vision and was used in HYDRA experiments on Wanda. By the time we arrive in Westview, we're championing success. Because the films never took enough time to celebrate them, the series made up for lost time. They have extraordinary chemistry. Not just as characters, but as actors. Even playing into the archetypes of the times, there is still that spark that makes us believe in true love. Though their story together may only live on through their children, Wanda and Vision will forever live in our hearts.
2 Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring
'Heartstopper' (2022–Present)
Image via NetflixWhen it comes to queer visibility and representation, no show has become more important than Heartstopper. The beloved Netflix series, inspired by Alice Oseman's graphic novel of the same name, follows the life of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a gay teen boy who falls in love with classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), whom he sits next to in his new form. By displaying the highs and lows of teenage love through a queer lens, Heartstopper has made every young LGBTQ+ individual today believe there's hope out there. Though for many older generations of gay people, what Heartstopper shows isn't reality, we sure do wish that dream could have come true.
Nick and Charlie present how two teenagers can navigate the discovery of identity individually and, as a pair, benefit from it. Having an ally, confidant, and close partner can be the one thing you need to survive the world. Charlie and Nick are sickly sweet. They're absolutely charming and endearing. Their little romantic gestures and nuances are adorable to observe. By bringing out the best in one another, they prove that empathy is a key to relationship success. Nick provides protection while Charlie provides patience. They truly do complete each other. While we do have a movie to look forward to as their final on-screen chapter, their journey together has been immensely impactful, changing how young, queer characters on television are portrayed.
1 Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie
'Abbott Elementary' (2021–Present)
Image via ABCMaybe when she began writing Abbott Elementary, creator and star Quinta Brunson knew her character would eventually fall in love. It’s doubtful she expected her creation to become the blueprint for how sitcoms should handle their love stories. It was inevitable, since the first episode, that Jeanine Teagues (Brunson) and Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) would become the premier pair on Abbott Elementary. While there certainly were some roadblocks early on, it was only a matter of time before Jeanine ditched Tariq Temple (Zack Fox) to embark on the perfect romance. While Jeanine and Gregory initially kept their relationship secret, it could only last so long before the entire staff found out. And let's just say, they're absolutely adorable. If you like your loves sappy and sweet, Janine and Gregory check that box and then some.
What makes them the perfect couple is that they're just so simpatico. They complete one another. There are genuine emotions attached. They are willing to go the extra mile to make their partner happy. They're an example of a healthy couple. Now, being coworkers certainly isn't ideal, but they're making it work. Many television couples are meant to have tension for dramatic purposes; this couple was a moment to realize reality is reflected through two individuals who have mutual admiration and respect. Though it was still a slow-burning relationship, Abbott Elementary showed how to do it right.
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