Skip To Content
BuzzFeed Homepage
Sign In
Search BuzzFeed
  • pride2021 badge
  • Out and Proud badge

19 TV Best Friends Who Had Such Intense Chemistry, The Show Should’ve Let Them Date For At Least For A Season

Let me live in my dreams, okay?!

Kayla Harrington
by Kayla Harrington

BuzzFeed Staff

As a TV connoisseur, I can't express how much I love a well-executed friends-to-lovers storyline. Watching two people slowly fall in love after getting to know each other's most intimate, unromantic moments is so, so satisfying.

CBS

However, it can be a little sad to see the romantic potential between two characters, only for nothing to ever happen. So in honor of Pride Month, let's look back at some of my favorite friendships that definitely should've blossomed into something more romantic!

NBC

1. Rosa Diaz and Amy Santiago, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Rosa Diaz has her head thrown back as she laughs while Amy Santiago has her eyebrows furrowed in confusion
Fox

These two are the definition of "opposites attract." From their tentative friendship to the iconic sleuth duo they became, you can totally see how their chemistry could've translated into a cute relationship. 

2. Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor, Supergirl

Kara Danvers, wearing a red polka dot shirt under a brown cardigan, smiles as Lena Luthor, wearing a white blouse under a brown jacket, has a skeptical look on her face
The CW

The building blocks of this relationship have been set up extremely well from Lena's first appearance in Season 2. From lunch dates to constantly saving each other to helping each other become better, more honest people, Kara and Lena are the perfect example of wasted romantic potential. 

3. Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Sam Wilson smiles as he sits in the driver's seat of a car while Bucky Barnes sits behind him, smirking.
Marvel / Disney

I fell in love with Sam and Bucky's unique friendship way back in Captain America: Civil War, but their solo show really solidified their bond and how much they mean to each other. Sam is one of Bucky's only real support systems in the modern world, and Bucky helps to challenge Sam's sarcastic, sassy side. A true match made in heaven. 

4. Castiel and Dean Winchester, Supernatural

Dean Winchester looks exasperated at Castiel, who stands with a blank look on his face
The CW

An angel and a monster hunter — who wouldn't love this relationship? Between Castiel's unwavering dedication to Dean and Dean becoming a less jaded person around Castiel, we were definitely robbed of something special.

5. Emma Swan and Regina Mills, Once Upon a Time

Emma Swan stands with her hands on her hips, and Regina Mills has both eyebrows arched in shock
ABC

They already shared a child, so why couldn't they share their love, too? The romantic tension between these two, especially in Season 1, was so off the charts. I truly believe they would have been one of the most iconic couples of all time if they had been allowed to be together.

6. Paris Geller and Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls

Paris Geller wears an unbuttoned yellow shirt and black-and-orange striped sun hat, and Rory Gilmore wears a blue one-piece swimsuit with green straps
The WB

Who doesn't love an enemies-to-lovers moment? These two would've been the model for how to do this trope very well! They challenged each other constantly, and their banter was just *chef's kiss.*

7. Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, Rizzoli and Isles

Jane Rizzoli holds Maura Isles from behind as they both smile
TNT

I will forever be mad at this one, tbh. Maura and Jane were one degree of separation away from becoming the ultimate power couple, and I'm still bitter that we were robbed of those moments.

8. Jane Villanueva and Petra Solano, Jane the Virgin

Jane Villanueva hugs Petra Solano tightly as Petra pretends to look annoyed about it
The CW

While Jane and Petra started out on very rocky terms, watching them learn to grow and care for each other was so beautiful, and I truly believe they would've made such a cute couple, even though I do stan J.R. for life!

9. Nick Miller and Schmidt, New Girl

Nick Miller, smiling with hands on hips, wears a brown, red, and green checkered flannel shirt while Schmidt wears a dark-gray suit
Fox

Look me in my eyes and tell me you never felt the romantic tension between these two! Schmidt was always going out of his way to care for Nick, and Nick helped Schmidt become a tiny more laid-back. And doesn't a good relationship help bring out the best in you?

10. Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry, Glee

Quinn Fabray, wearing a white lace sweater, smiles brightly while Rachel Berry grimaces as her nose is broken
Fox

No one can deny how incredible it would've been to see Rachel and Quinn's arcs go from being bitter rivals to ditching the boy they were fighting over to just being with each other. Need proof of their chemistry? Please see the "I Feel Pretty/Unpretty" duet.

11. Tori Vega and Jade West, Victorious

Tori Vega uses chopsticks to lift a piece of sushi to her mouth, and Jade West has her chopsticks in between her teeth
Nickelodeon

While Jade did act as if she hated Tori with her whole heart, their chemistry in every scene was off the charts! Between their snappy one-liners and engaging singing performances, there was definitely something here. They even went on the cutest, most awkward first date ever!!

12. Rachel Green and Monica Geller, Friends

Rachel Green sits on a café couch with an arm thrown over the back with one eye closed as Monica Geller sits beside her.
NBC

Childhood best friends turned romantic partners? Sign me up! Rachel and Monica effortlessly bounced off each other and had no problem interweaving themselves in each other's life. They would've been so cute!!

13. Emily Prentiss and J.J. Jareau, Criminal Minds

Emily Pretniss, wearing a white button-up shirt, turns to look at J.J. Jareau, wearing a short-sleeved black shirt
CBS

J.J. and Emily were basically the moms of the BAU without the legal paperwork. Plus, every time one of them was kidnapped or taken, they would IMMEDIATELY think of the other to get through the ordeal. Tell me that isn't love — I dare you!

14. Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang, Grey's Anatomy

Meredith Grey, with her eyes closed and wearing a red-and-black striped shirt under a denim jacket, lies on the grass next to Cristina Yang, wearing a gray shirt under a matching sweater
ABC

I know a lot of MerDer fans may get mad at me for this, but I stand by it. Cristina was way more loving, supporting, and overall amazing to Meredith than any man on this show. They definitely could've gone the distance.

15. April Ludgate and Ann Perkins, Parks and Recreation

April Ludgate leans in to talk closely with Ann Perkins, who looks visibly annoyed
NBC

Ann and April had so much chemistry and romantic tension for two people who didn't get along for so long. However, when April, notorious hater of feelings, ended up being super soft toward Ann before she left Pawnee, it really gave a glimpse of what their relationship could've been.

16. Eleanor Shellstrop and Tahani Al-Jamil, The Good Place

Eleanor Shellstrop sits cross-legged with a confused look on her face while Tahani Al-Jamil sits beside her, smiling
NBC

From the moment they met, there was palpable chemistry between Eleanor and Tahani. And yes, while the show did have Eleanor admit she was into Tahani at some point, they never acted on that point, which is just a damn shame.

17. Zach Dempsey and Alex Standall, 13 Reasons Why

Alex Standall and Zach Dempsey stare at each other as they sit together at a restaurant table
Netflix

If you had told me during Season 1 of 13RW that I would be shipping these two together, I would've called you a liar. However, after seeing how sweet and tender Zach was to Alex after he was injured, I was really sold on their dynamic. 

18. Michaela Pratt and Laurel Castillo, How to Get Away With Murder

Michaela Pratt is beginning to sob-cry while Laurel Castillo holds her hand tightly
ABC

The law school rivals turned into something more. A tale as old as time. I think Michaela's and Laurel's sassy attitudes and sarcastic comments would've made for a fun relationship to watch blossom.

19. And finally, Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham, Hannibal

Hannibal Lecter leans in to smell the back of Will Graham's neck as he is turned away from him
NBC

Listen, I could literally write multiple books about why this relationship was a hair's breadth away from becoming one of the most engaging love stories on television. From their first moments together, you could feel that there was something dark and primal between Will and Hannibal. I mean, come on, they even murdered people for each other. How can that not be true love?!?!

Looking for more Pride 2021 content? Check out all of BuzzFeed's coverage here.

Kevin Valente / BuzzFeed