No matter what type of show you watch, one thing that TV fans collectively do is root for their favorite characters to end up together. We spend seasons watching these characters form undeniable connections and go through life together. We watch them go through every up and down together, only getting closer as they do so. Inevitably, we wantcertain characters to get togetherand have a happy ending.
Despite our hopes and dreams, our favorite characters rarely end up together. They suffer from tragedy, death, loss, and differing opinions that ultimately wrest them apart. Viewers are left devastated for their favorite characters, mourning the loss of what could have been. Many TV couples succumb to this fate, so here are 10 of the most tragic romances from television series:
10Fleabag and the Hot Priest - Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s dramedy seriesFleabaghas become somewhat of a pop culture icon since its debut in 2016. With just two seasons, the show gained a following of loyal fans thanks to itsunique sense of humorand realistic depiction of grief and longing. When Andre Scott’s Hot Priest character was introduced, it was evident that he and Fleabag had an intense connection.
Doomed from the Beginning
The romance between Fleabag and the Hot Priest was doomed from the start. He was a Catholic priest, and priests do not get married or form romantic connections with anyone.
There was never a chance they would end up together, as God was always the third wheel in their relationship. Even after they consummated their relationship and there was a shred of hope, the Hot Priest inevitably had to choose between his love for her and his love for God.StreamFleabagon Prime Video.
Related:10 TV Shows to Watch If You Miss Fleabag
9Meredith Grey and Derek Sheppard - Grey’s Anatomy
In its prime,Grey’s Anatomywas a scandalous medical dramathat never faltered in the scandal or drama department. The show’s most iconic couple was introduced at the beginning of the pilot episode, after a one-night stand between Dr. Derek Sheppard (Patrick Dempsey) and surgical intern Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Of course, they didn’t know that they would be working together, thus setting in motion the roller-coaster ride that would become their relationship.
A Devastating End
Meredith and Derek faced many ups and downs throughout their relationship and eventual marriage. From ex-wives to hospital shootings, to adoptions, and living in different states, Mere and McDreamy faced it all. Despite the endless challenges they faced, their love for each other never wavered.
Which made the devastating car accident Derek was in even more painful. Being a neurosurgeon, Derek knew what procedures he needed, but could not verbalize it to the surgeons at the hospital he was sent to. Meredith was forced to decide to take the love of her life off life support, ending their dream of raising their children and growing old together.StreamGrey’s Anatomyon Hulu or Netflix.
Grey’s Anatomy
8Buff Summers and Angel - Buffy the Vampire Slayer
From the beginning ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer, the attraction between Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel (David Boreanaz) was palpable. Buffy was a gifted teenager who excelled at hunting vampires, while Angel was immortal and incredibly powerful. Even with their extreme differences, they couldn’t deny their feelings for each other.
She Killed Him to Save the World
The pair tried to make a romance between them work to no avail. When they finally caved into their physical and emotional connection, it resulted in the loss of Angel’s soul. He became a bloodthirsty killer who threatened Buffy’s world. Buffy had to painfully put aside her feelings for Angel and kill him to save the world. Even when the tragic couple had a second chance, they knew they had to walk away to protect themselves and everyone around them.StreamBuffy the Vampire Slayeron Hulu.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
7Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey - Grey’s Anatomy
Meredith and Derek were the central couple ofGrey’s, but the romantic relationship between Lexie (Chyler Leigh) and Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) was just as powerful. Lexie followed in her big sister’s footsteps not only by becoming a surgeon, but also by falling for an attending surgeon when she was only an intern. Lexie and McSteamy were hot and heavy but also completely devoted to each other.
Why Their Romance Was Tragic
Much like Meredith and Derek’s love story, Lexie and Sloan’s ended in death and tragedy. Season 8’s infamous plane crash hit the younger Grey and Mark the hardest. Mark held a dying Lexie in his arms, telling her, “We’re supposed to end up together. We’re meant to be.” Mark later died from complications from the crash, effectively breaking every viewer’s heart.StreamGrey’s Anatomyon Hulu or Netflix.
6Barney Stinson and Robin Scherbatsky - How I Met Your Mother
The final season of the hit sitcomHow I Met Your Motherfaced criticism from fans, especially after the reveal in the show’s series finale. The last season took place throughout Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin’s (Cobie Smulders) wedding weekend, which was a bit odd, but enough fans loved Barney and Robin together to ignore it. Their love story happened organically and made sense considering their dating histories and goals. They had a genuine connection that was obvious through the screen.
A Crumbling Marriage
Both Barney and Robinhad less than stellar dating histories that left neither of them satisfied. They had a similar sense of humor, shared interests, and wanted many of the same things in life. They wholeheartedly cared about each other and were deeply in love. It seemed like they would last forever, but the writers had other plans.
After their wedding, the show jumps forward in time and shows their marriage crumbling as the year goes by due to Robin’s successful career in TV news and the minimal time spent together. The show ends with the reveal that Ted’s (Josh Radnor) wife, the titular “mother”, had died from cancer years earlier, and Ted showing up outside her apartment with the blue French horn from the pilot episode. Robin and Barney could have had a beautiful marriage, but Robin’s past with Ted had to take center stage once again.StreamHow I Met Your Motheron Hulu.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is a sitcom created initially for CBS by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. Five friends living in New York City navigate their twenties and thirties as they attempt to find love, success, and purpose. The show is framed through one friend’s eyes, Ted Mosby, as he retells the story of how he met his wife to his children.
5Dean Winchester and Lisa Braeden - Supernatural
Supernaturalmay not be known for its love stories, but there were certainly many that occurred throughout its 15-season run. One of the more memorable romances occurred early on between Dean (Jensen Ackles) and a former fling, Lisa Braeden (Cindy Sampson).
Lisa comes in and out of Dean’s life throughoutseasons three, five, and six, each time making Dean question what kind of life he wants to live. After the season five finale, when Sam was thrown into the cage with Lucifer and Michael, Dean turned to Lisa for comfort. For the next year, they lived together and raised her son Ben (Nicholas Elia), whom Dean loved like a son.
Erased Memories
Dean is a Winchester first and foremost, and he was never meant to leave the hunting life behind. As much as he loved Lisa, part of him yearned for the days spent on the road with his brother as they saved innocents from the evil creature lurking the Earth. Dean tried to balance life with Lisa and hunting when Sam (Jared Padalecki) returned from Hell, but it was useless.
Hunting was not a life meant for civilians, and it only put Lisa and Ben in danger. After a nearly fatal altercation with a demon, Dean had Cas (Misha Collins) erase Lisa and Ben’s memories of Dean. He loved them and wanted a life with them, but knew he couldn’t ignore the grip that hunting had on him, and decided to keep them safe from him instead.StreamSupernaturalon Netflix.
Supernatural
4Alexis and Ted - Schitt’s Creek
WhileSchitt’s Creekwas a comedy about an extremely wealthy family who lost their fortune and had to slum it like the rest of us, it had a few truly great romances. The romance between David (Dan Levy) and Patrick (Noah Reid) was beautiful and touching from start to finish. The romance between Alexis (Annie Murphy) and Ted (Dustin Mulligan) was also beautiful but did not receive the happy ending that David and Patrick had.
Parting Ways… for Now
Both Alexis and Ted went through a lot of maturing and growing throughout their relationship. Alexis learned to put others before herself and embrace her kinder side. Ted was able to break out of his shell with Alexis around and found the motivation to pursue his dreams.
Unfortunately, that dream was in the Galápagos Islands. In a bittersweet finale, the couple proved their love and maturity by freeing each other of their relationship duties to pursue their dreams. So, while Ted went off to the Galápagos to research, Alexis went back to New York to start her own PR firm.StreamSchitt’s Creekon Hulu.
Schitt’s Creek
3Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton - True Blood
HBO’s supernatural fantasy showTrue Bloodhad some of the most iconic romances in TV history. The central romance in the show was always between telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) and southern vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). When Sookie finally embraced her feelings for Bill, the two started an incredibly steamy relationship that more often than not left Sookie in dire situations.
An Intense Love Triangle
Sookie and Bill’s romance had too many things working against them from the beginning. A relationship between a human and a vampire would already have complications. Mix in Sookie coming from a centuries-old line of powerful faeries, her blood acting like an addictive drug to vampires, and the tense relationship between humans and supernatural creatures was a recipe for disaster. Plus, Bill frequently lied to her about why he returned to Bon Temps and his knowledge of her true identity. Vampire sheriffEric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) was in love with Sookietoo, which led to a seasons-long love triangle.
By the end of the series, Sookie had enough of magic and the supernatural, and Bill had contracted Hep-V. He asked Sookie to help him meet the True Death in a heart-wrenching scene in the cemetery. Sookie ended up marrying a nameless, faceless man in the finale, which still doesn’t sit well with many fans over a decade later.StreamTrue Bloodon HBO.
True Blood
2Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls - Veronica Mars
Veronica Marswas unceremoniously given just three seasons during its initial run from 2004-2007. Luckily, a fourth season was finally picked up by Hulu in 2019.Veronica (Kristen Bell)and Logan’s (Jason Dohring) tumultuous relationship spanned “years, continents, and bloodshed” throughout the seasons, but it was always evident that they had an undeniable love meant to withstand whatever life threw at them.
An Unexpected Death
Even when they were teenagers, their relationship wasn’t easy. It was born from the investigation into the death of Veronica’s best friend and Logan’s former girlfriend, Lilly Kane (Amanda Seyfried). Lies, deception, and crime surrounded their relationship throughout the years. Nevertheless, the two overcame the obstacles every time because they had a love stronger than all of that.
In the fourth season, a serial bomber targets Neptune and Veronica specifically. After Veronica and her dad disarm what they believe to be the last bomb, Veronica and Logan finally get married. Hours later, Veronica’s car explodes, killing Logan. It’s truly devastating, because they had overcome a lot over the years, and they were finally going to have their happy ending.StreamVeronica Marson Hulu.
Veronica Mars
Related:10 Comedy Drama Series That Strike the Same Balance as Succession
1Shiv Roy and Tom Wambsgans - Succession
HBO’sSuccessionwas a smash hit with critics and audiences alike. The comedy-drama followed the billionaire Roy siblings, all of whom were vying for their father Logan’s (Brian Cox) media empire, Waystar RoyCo. The workplace drama drew many inspirations from real-life media families, such as theMurdochs, but also paralleled literary works such as King Lear.
Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook), the only woman of the Roy siblings, had set her sights on being CEO from the first episode and used her husband Tom’s (Matthew Macfadyen) position in the company to her advantage. Tom used her the same way, but underneath the hunger for power, there was love in their relationship.
Circular Abuse and No Love
Shiv and Tom were two deeply flawed people who loved each other, but love was never going to be enough for either of them. They even admitted to each other that a simple life ruled by love wasn’t the lifestyle for either of them. Shiv comes from a family who has everything and can afford anything. Tom came from a more modest upbringing, but got a taste of the billionaire life and could never look back. Even when they were at each other’s throats, like in the explosive balcony argument in season four, love was a factor.
When Shiv decided not to vote Kendall (Jeremy Strong) as Waystar CEO, she unknowingly gave Tom the opportunity to swoop in and take the position. Their story ends with Tom as CEO, and Shiv pregnant with their child, knowing that she will live in Tom’s shadow and never obtain CEO.Stream onSuccessionMax.
