10 TV Co-Stars Who Didn't Get Along In Real Life

At the end of the day, regardless if they're portraying TV siblings, best friends, or colleagues, the actors in these shows are co-workers. Long filming hours and stressful days on set can cultivate years-long resentment among co-stars.

10 Ed O'Neill & Amanda Bearse

Married... with Children (1987-1997)

Married... with Children is one of the longest-running sitcoms whose depiction of the dysfunctional Bundy family was refreshing to some and unpalatable to others. Working for 11 seasons, tensions are bound to rise among the cast, with the most notable feud between Ed O'Neill and Amanda Bearse. At the beginning of 2024, O'Neill spoke with Modern Family co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the Dinner's On Me podcast, explaining the harsh feelings between the two came out after O'Neill didn't push for Bearse and David Garrison to be on a TV Guide magazine cover with the rest of the main cast.

9 Nina Dobrev & Paul Wesley

The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)

In The Vampire Diaries, Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) had a complicated relationship that had audiences hooked. Dobrev and Wesley have since become close friends following the series' ending, but they didn't always get along. In 2019, Dobrev went on the Directionally Challenged podcast and discussed how there was a bit of tension between her and Wesley. Dobrev said, "I respected Paul Wesley, I didn’t like Paul Wesley... We really just didn’t get along the first maybe five months of shooting."

8 Mark Harmon & Pauley Perrette

NCIS (2003-Present)

NCIS is a beloved series because of its procedural format and the on-screen family formed among its main characters. However, the ongoing series is not without its behind-the-scenes drama. A series regular for 15 seasons as forensic specialist Abby Sciuto, Pauley Perrette left NCIS following a falling out with lead actor Mark Harmon. In 2019, Perrette took to social media to clarify she's not returning to the show, saying she's "terrified of Harmon" (via USA Today). Most reports suggest their falling out came after Harmon's dog bit someone on set and Perrette's request to keep his pet off-set was ignored.

7 Shannen Doherty & Alyssa Milano

Charmed (1998-2006)

Starring in Charmed as two of three witch sisters, Prue and Phoebe, Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano's relationship behind the scenes was vastly different. Doherty left the show after the third season, with her contentious relationship with Milano playing as a factor. However, in 2017, Milano said she and Doherty had recently spoken and put the past behind them, saying, "I think we're just at ages now that what happens 15 years ago, or however long ago that was, it's irrelevant" (via Vulture).

6 William Shatner & George Takei

Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

When Star Trek: The Original Series is not being discussed for its impact on pop culture, people are likely talking about the enduring conflict between two of its stars, William Shatner and George Takei. For years, the actors have been going back and forth, with Takei praising Shatner for his talent but taking issues with his treatment of others on set, claiming he was "not a team player" (via ABC News). In 2022, Shatner spoke with The Times UK and said his Star Trek co-stars were speaking poorly of him years later because they were "embittered."

5 Bea Arthur & Betty White

The Golden Girls (1985-1992)

The stories of four single elderly women have continued to make audiences laugh throughout the years. The women of The Golden Girls represented a group of people not often highlighted on TV. However, despite what was seen on screen, The Golden Girls did not have a drama-free set. In 2011, Betty White spoke with The Village Voice and admitted her co-star, Bea Arthur, was not fond of her. White suggested her overly positive attitude might have been the main thing about her that drove Arthur crazy.

4 Kate Mulgrew & Jeri Ryan

Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)

The Star Trek franchise is no stranger to behind-the-scenes drama, with Kate Mulgrew and Jeri Ryan at the center of the feud on the set of Star Trek: Voyager. Added to the series' main cast after a few seasons was Ryan as Seven of Nine. Mulgrew's resentment of Ryan's character led her to treat the actress poorly on set, ostracizing her in front of everyone. Mulgrew has taken accountability for her actions and admits she felt Ryan's appearance compromised the show's ability to succeed without sex appeal.

3 Will Smith & Janet Hubert

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)

After the third season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the character of Aunt Viv was played by Daphne Maxwell Reid. Playing the role previously was Janet Hubert. While it's not uncommon for actors to leave a show on their own accord, that's not the case with Hubert's exit from the show. Reports of a feud between Hubert and Will Smith circulated after the actress said Smith got her fired. The actors have since reconciled, explaining their sides to one another in the series' 2020 reunion (via Today).

2 Sarah Jessica Parker & Kim Cattrall

Sex and the City (1998-2004)

Since the premiere of Sex and the City's sequel series, And Just Like That..., conversations about a feud between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall have been a hot topic. Despite being an integral part of the original series, Cattrall's appearance in And Just Like That... was limited, as the actress has distanced herself from the cast. Parker hasn't made accusations towards Cattrall, but the latter has been vocal in the past about being mistreated on the set of Sex and the City, primarily by Parker (via Elle).

1 David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson

The X-Files (1993-2018)

The X-Files was led by FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). The two were captivating and had audiences as invested in their relationship as they were in their investigations. While neither party has divulged details about their strained relationship while filming, Duchovny and Anderson have confirmed there were moments where they didn't get along. Anderson said it got intense at times, resulting in the two not speaking to one another for long periods (via The Guardian).