Throughout the history of fandom, ships have been a crucial aspect of the enjoyment of the series. However, before the advent of online communities, there has always been a fascination with the idea of art imitating life. As it pertains to relationships, many fans hope thattheir favorite relationships onscreenwould materialize into authentic and long-lasting relationships.
Some of the most celebrated relationships onscreen have amassed large followings due to the fantasies they satisfy as well as the lessons provided to audiences. The audience receives information about social interactions whether it be through explicit instruction or otherwise. To find out that the actors behind their beloved characters are romantically linked as well produces a particular joy among avid watchers, increasing engagement for the respective franchise.
While some couples went on to have a fairytale romance, others mirrored typical dating, broke up, and moved on. However, countless conversations about para-social relationships prove to be important here. While resulting in bizarre and invasive practices, fandom’s celebration of these relationships has forever etched them into the modern image of the entertainment industry.
8Josh Dallas and Ginnifer Goodwin
Widely known for their role as Prince Charming and Snow White respective, Josh Dallas and Ginnifer Goodwin blessed the screens of millions with their presence on ABC’sOnce Upon a Time.Introduced as David Nolan and Mary Margaret Blanchard, the pair’s saccharine romance was cherished for its idealistic portrayal: unconditional love and mutual respect taking precedence over personal ambitions and stubbornness.
Perhaps their persuasive portrayals have much to do with Goodwin and Dallas' budding, behind-the-scenes romance. Starring for seven seasons since 2011, the couple announced their engagement in 2013 and were married come 2014. Closing in on a decade, their love was broadcasted to avid fans who appreciated their romance mirroring that of their characters. Not only did it result in incredible scenes between the two but was the perfect cherry on top as it reminds viewers and passive onlookers that rare stories of romance may seem fantastical but do exist.
7Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin
Noted for their roles inThe NegotiationandCrash Landing on You,Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin are two of South Korea’s adored actors. From their dalliance in action and crime thrillers to sentimental and suspenseful dramas, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin have a unique chemistry that has captivated Korean and international audiences. Thus, in 2021, when their agency disclosed news of a relationship between the two, longtime fans of their work were more excited than surprised.
WhileThe Negotiationfinds the two trying their best to undermine each other,Crash Landing on Youwas a dramatic romance centering around the growing relationship between a South Korean heiress and a North Korean captain after a frightening paragliding accident.
Falling in love is one of life’s greatest experiences. Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin experienced one of life’s marvels while producing thefourth-highest-rating South Korean cable dramain history.
6Jaz Sinclair and Ross Lynch
Despite its short-lived run,The Chilling Adventures of Sabrinamanaged to make an impact on viewers due to its decision to lean on horror rather than imitating the sitcom format of its predecessor. Nevertheless, the campy yet chaotic series saw the titular teenage witch (Kiernan Shipka) solve various mysteries of Greendale while preparing for her countless duties as a witch.
Among many storylines, plots surrounding Harvey (Ross Lynch), the designated heartthrob of the group, and Roz (Jaz Sinclair), the intelligent and caring seer proved to be just as entertaining for audiences as Theo’s personal growth and Sabrina’s plentiful predicaments.
Even though records of their relationship go back to 2018, the couple made their debut on the red carpet of Paris Fashion Week 2020. Aside from a fewquestionable reactions, the two are currently one of social media’s favorite couples.
5Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline
Outer Banksremains one of Netflix’s most popular original series. Detailing the eventful lives of teenagers living in a coastal town situated along North Carolina’s notable string of islands. The series tackles issues such as classism while creating an intriguing plot containing flirtations with pirate adventures of the past as well as incorporating typical tropes of a modern teen drama.
Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline star as John B and Sarah Cameron respectively, two teenagers living in opposite worlds. Despite her welcoming demeanor and her good-faith decision-making, Sarah is introduced as the de jure princess of the Outer Banks due to her dad’s (Charles Esten) inescapable influence. Belonging to the ostracized “Pogues”, John B and his friends have a natural disposition towards Sarah, her family, and her friends. Nevertheless, that does not prevent both of them from falling in love. As the relationship played out on screen, many fans were amused to learn that Stokes and Cline were a couple in 2020.
Related:Outer Banks: Every Major Character, Ranked
Although news of a split in 2021 may have left fans confused, Cline and Stokes appear to be amicable toward one another following the separation.
4Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood
Throughout the series' seven-year run,Supergirlstood as one of the many successes produced by the CW’s collusion with the DC Universe. Melissa Benoist undoubtedly impressed audiences in her role as Kara Zor-El, soaring through storylines that took viewers to the world anew and taught them more about the world around them. One of these storylines included the introduction of Mon-El (Chris Wood), an alien from Krypton’s neighbor planet Daxam.
For fans of the show, it appeared as if Kara and Mon-El'’s romance foreshadowed the eventual union between Benoist and Wood. The relationship between the CW alums was announced in 2017 and an engagement came shortly after in 2019. Since then, Benoist and Wood have been married and in 202, welcomed the birth of their son.
3Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder
Looking back on the impressive success ofThe Vampire Diaries, fans approach the relationship between Damon and Elena in a different light. The age gap, instances of manipulation, and many other seedy yet plot-driving tropes leave much to be desired. However, one instance that could use a bit of revisiting is the relationship of the actors involved.
Pertaining to Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, portions of the fandom greeted the idea with warm hands while others fanned the flames that soon erupted into a tightly contained yet uncomfortable mess. The pair’s romance was revealed to the world in 2010, during the first few seasons ofThe Vampire Diaries.Lasting three years, the public perception of the couple would largely be affected bythe on-screen relationship, aptly titled “Delena” by fans.
Much like the announcement of their relationship, the breakup proved to cause just as much of a stir. Nevertheless, the two continue to share a mutual respect.
2Hunter Schafer and Dominic Fike
HBO’sEuphoriais as controversial as it is successful. Handling tough themes to varying degrees of success and constant murmurings of offscreen conflicts have recently dominated the headlines. Nonetheless, fans of the show would most likely agree that news of a relationship between Hunter Schafer and Dominic Fike was a pleasant surprise and possibly, the best-received moment to come out of the show’s second season.
Fans of the series and the outside world found out about the couple’s relationship in the same manner that they have stumbled upon signs of a potential breakup: through social media. After much speculation, the pair seemingly confirmed their relationship in a now-popular spread of photos of them attending the Vanity Fair Oscars After Party. Schafer can be seen smiling affectionately while Fike wraps his hands around her waist, both donning gleaming smiles while facing the paparazzi.
Regardless of the status of their relationship, Hunter and Dominic’s relationship was far better received thantheir onscreen counterparts, the latter of which prompted various infamous Twitter think-pieces during and months after the season’s conclusion.
1Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer
HBO’sTrue Bloodcontinues to wear its crown as the most engaging supernatural television series of the last decade. Even with its faults, the series managed to create a compelling universe of vampires, werewolves, and faes, one that cut through the bright veneer of sugarcoated romance and angst and delved deeper into themes that ultimately humanized their characters.
One of the more traditional storylines surrounded Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton, portrayed by Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer respectively. Marked by steamy passion, startling deception, and an endearing loyalty, Sookie and Bill, or “Bookie” survived the full seven seasons, morphing from strangers to lovers to devoted friends as the years passed by. The shared compassion between the two felt genuine to viewers of the series and was genuine when considering the feelings of the actors themselves.
Related:15 Best HBO TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
While filming for the show Pacquin and Moyer reportedly fell in love during the show’s pilot. Dating since 2007, the couple announced their engagement in 2009 and were subsequently married during a private wedding ceremony on August 19, 2025. The couple continued to take pleasure in the sincere affection shared between Sookie and Bill as well as their authentic, love story outside ofTrue Blood.
In addition to a son and daughter from Moyer’s first marriage, the couple welcomed a set of non-identical twins on July 31, 2025.
