33 TV Couples Who Had So Much Chemistry, They Created The Best Slow Burn Romances Of All Time

    "They had chemistry since they met. They went through so much that got in the way of their relationship, so when they finally got together, I was so excited my jaw was dropped for, like, 10 minutes."

    Nora Dominick
    by Nora Dominick

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their absolute favorite slow burn romances on TV, and they delivered. Here are some of the best responses:

    Warning: In order to show some of their very best scenes, there are MASSIVE spoilers in the photos below!

    1. First, Lorelai Gilmore and Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls

    Screenshots from "Gilmore Girls"
    Netflix

    "Luke and Lorelai FINALLY GETTING TOGETHER made me so happy. It took way too long, but at least, it happened."

    —supernerdanfgeek

    Total number of Gilmore Girls episodes before they shared a kiss: 86

    2. Jess Day and Nick Miller from New Girl

    "I meant something like that."
    Fox

    "100% Nick and Jess. When he pulls her in and finally kisses her, then says, 'I meant something like that.' I ugly screeched at the TV."

    —vhannah0750

    Total number of New Girl episodes before they shared a kiss: 39

    3. Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert from The Vampire Diaries

    "Why not, Elena?"
    The CW

    "They had chemistry since they met. It took them forever to get together. They went through so much that got in the way of their relationship, so when they finally got together, I was so excited my jaw was dropped for, like, 10 minutes. I was like, 'FINALLY.'"

    —peynor

    Total number of TVD episodes before they shared that steamy motel kiss*: 63

    *Yes, they kissed twice before this, but this was THE moment set to Florence + the Machine.

    4. Temperance "Bones" Brennan and Seeley Booth from Bones

    Screenshots from "Bones"
    Fox

    "Oh my god, that was incredible!"

    —ruchav

    Total number of Bones episodes before they shared their first REAL kiss*: 100

    *Yes, they kissed in Season 3 under the mistletoe, but this was THE moment.

    5. Rick Grimes and Michonne from The Walking Dead

    Screenshots from "The Walking Dead"
    AMC

    "It was great because it wasn't set up or teased. They were just two very good friends who, at the end of an episode, found comfort in each other's company. It wasn't sensationalistic and didn't feel like a ratings move — they felt like two real people who were ready to open up to each other and try something new."

    —guyincognito

    Total number of TWD episodes before they shared their first kiss (and slept together): 77

    6. Adora and Catra from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

    Screenshots from "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power"
    Netflix

    Suggested by: fluffylavenderlemon

    Total number of She-Ra episodes before they finally admitted their feelings for each other: 52

    7. Midge Maisel and Lenny Bruce from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

    Midge and Lenny kissing
    Prime Video

    "Lenny and Midge, especially because it was never supposed to be a romance in the first place, but their absolutely ridiculous levels of chemistry were too much to ignore. I still get giddy watching them dance in Miami or finally get together in the blue room!"

    —jennyinoz45

    Total number of Maisel episodes before they finally kissed and slept together: 34

    8. Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen from House of the Dragon

    Screenshots from "House of the Dragon"
    HBO

    "I’m sorry, but Daemon and Rhaenyra from House of the Dragon. It’s so wrong but feels so right!"

    —xeniagreenstein

    Total number of HOTD episodes before they were officially married: Seven

    9. Niles Crane and Daphne Moon from Frasier

    "Oh, for god's sake, Dr. Crane!"
    NBC

    "David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves had amazing chemistry. Niles was so smitten with her from the very beginning but so uptight that he wouldn’t leave Maris. When they finally got together, it was so satisfying!"

    —sondere

    Total number of Frasier episodes before they shared a kiss: 168

    10. Lucifer Morningstar and Chloe Decker from Lucifer

    Screenshots from "Lucifer"
    Netflix

    "She was pretty much the only woman on Earth able to resist his charms. And the devil doesn't normally fall in love. But they were meant to be, so when they finally got together, whew boy, super hot!"

    —shauna_malwae-tweep

    Total number of Lucifer episodes before they shared THAT kiss on the beach: 24

    11. Stede Bonnet and Edward "Ed" Teach/Blackbeard from Our Flag Means Death

    Screenshots from "Our Flag Means Death"
    HBO Max

    "I have never loved a TV couple so much; the slow burn and the way they helped each other learn and grow was spectacular."

    —gretchenmarkowski

    Total number of Our Flag Means Death episodes before they finally admitted they have feelings for each other: Nine

    12. Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie from Abbott Elementary

    "Just saying hi."
    ABC

    "Love, love, LOVE watching the slow burn of Janine and Gregory! I know I'll scream when they get together."

    —thousandisland

    Total number of Abbott episodes before they shared their first kiss: STILL WAITING

    13. Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation

    Screenshots from "Parks and Recreation"
    NBC

    "They started out as adversaries, with Ben trying to cut Pawnee's budget and Leslie trying to save it. But then, working together led to mutual respect, which turned into true love! Best couple ever."

    —mollymcduck

    Total number of Parks and Rec episodes before they kissed for the first time: 44

    14. Fleabag and The Hot Priest from Fleabag

    Screenshots from "Fleabag"
    Prime Video

    "What they had in that second season was magical, deep, and heart-aching. The ending was absolute perfection."

    —ruemclanahan

    Total number of Fleabag Season 2 episodes before they finally acted on their sexual tension: Four

    15. Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable from Kim Possible

    Screenshots from "Kim Possible"
    Disney Channel

    "I waited YEARS of my childhood for that coupling to finally happen, and I even got to the point where I gave up on their relationship entirely. I have to thank the Disney Channel writers for ultimately fulfilling my wish!"

    —hiitsnicetomeetyou

    Total number of Kim Possible episodes before they kissed at the school dance: 65

    16. Josh Lyman and Donna Moss from The West Wing

    Screenshots from "The West Wing"
    NBC

    "They didn’t even kiss until the final season, but when they finally did, I fully SCREAMED!"

    —awest04

    Total number of West Wing episodes before they finally — FINALLY — kissed: 145

    17. Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago from Brooklyn Nine-Nine

    Screenshots from "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
    NBC

    "They had hands down one of the best sitcom romances I have ever seen. When Jake proposed to Amy during the Halloween heist, I was literally giggling and kicking my feet!"

    —sure_bea

    Total number of B99 episodes before they shared their adorable first kiss: 45

    18. Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham from Hannibal

    Screenshots from "Hannibal"
    NBC

    Suggested by: wildwolffree17

    Total number of Hannibal episodes before there was an ~official~ hint of a romantic relationship*: 39

    *The show getting cancelled before this duo becoming a couple still hurts.

    19. Haley Dunphy and Andy Bailey from Modern Family

    Screenshots from "Modern Family"
    ABC

    "Andy was such a goofy and kindhearted guy, and against shallow and self-involved Haley, the whole 'opposites attract' thing was done so incredibly well. Their chemistry was clear from the start, but watching their friendship slowly grow while still having the sexual tension building underneath made their first kiss really satisfying. Such a good slow burn."

    —katcloud

    Total number of Modern Family episodes before they shared THAT passionate kiss in the house*: 151

    *Yes, they kissed once before, but this was THE kiss, you know?!

    20. Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak from Arrow

    Screenshots from "Arrow"
    The CW

    "I loved them together, but I thought that it would never happen because in the Green Arrow comics, Oliver and Laurel are always the main love interests. I bet the casting department had no idea that the chemistry between Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards was going to be so strong. The series seemed to have started out following the comic book with tension between Oliver and Laurel, but I love that the show decided to change gears with Felicity when they recognized the actors' chemistry."

    —emberdahlia

    Total number of Arrow episodes before their first kiss: 47

    21. Beth Boland and Rio from Good Girls

    Screenshots from "Good Girls"
    NBC

    Suggested by: spongybob16

    Total number of Good Girls episodes before they finally acted on their sexual chemistry: 19

    22. David Rose and Patrick Brewer from Schitt's Creek

    Screenshots from "Schitt's Creek"
    Pop / CBC

    "I rewatch the episode with David's birthday more than I would like to admit!"

    —k402e21627

    Total number of Schitt's Creek episodes before they shared their first kiss: 39

    23. Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper from Stranger Things

    "Who needs imagination?"
    Netflix

    "After seasons of pining and sexual tension, the Hopper and Joyce kiss in Season 4 was seriously worth the wait. Honestly, their reunion hug in Russia was already too much for me to handle that by the time they were making out I was losing my damn mind. So much so that I couldn't even think of how long it was since Hopper brushed his teeth…"

    —jenniferabidor

    Total number of Stranger Things episodes before they FINALLY kissed for the first time: 34

    24. Chuck Bartowski and Sarah Walker from Chuck

    Screenshots from "Chuck"
    NBC

    "There were so many moments where we thought it was gonna happen, and they were fake dating the whole time, so when they finally actually got together, it was so satisfying!"

    —mariatessa

    Total number of Chuck episodes before they have the "do you love me?" kiss: 48

    25. Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

    Screenshots from "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
    ABC / Marvel

    "I have recently been rewatching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I love FitzSimmons! They went from being roommates to partners at their work and then all the way to getting married! I know they've had a few bumps along the way, like being separated at the end of Season 1 and Simmons being trapped on an alien planet for months, but I just love them so much!"

    —fuzzywuzzykoala

    Total number of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episodes before they had this kiss in the lab: 52

    26. Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls from Veronica Mars

    Screenshots from "Veronica Mars"
    Warner Bros

    "The ULTIMATE enemies-to-lovers trope. Their chemistry was so intense even in the first episodes, and their first kiss had me cheering. Let’s not talk about Season 4, though..."

    —ej_orenji

    Total number of Veronica Mars episodes before they shared their first kiss: 18

    27. Amy Sosa and Jonah Simms from Superstore

    Screenshots from "Superstore"
    NBC

    "I’ve watched the series dozens of times, and the ending of the town hall episode STILL makes me want to scream out of relief and shock."

    —f4bul0u5

    Total number of Superstore episodes before the memorable tornado kiss: 33

    28. Eve and Villanelle from Killing Eve

    "Smell me, Eve. What do I smell of to you?"
    BBC America

    "This is a more recent slow burn couple with so much sexual tension that I literally can't stop thinking about. I think Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer have some of the best chemistry on TV, and it really helped make the Eve and Villanelle relationship so good and so satisfying. Let's just not talk about the end, okay?"

    —noradominick

    Total number of Killing Eve episodes before they shared their first kiss on the bus*: 19

    *You know, before Eve head-butted Villanelle, LOL.

    29. Fran Fine and Maxwell Sheffield from The Nanny

    "I love you."
    CBS

    "Hands down Fran Fine and Maxwell Sheffield. The tension remained for the entire series. It was so well done, and I haven’t seen a will-they-won’t-they work as well since."

    —ljlwagner88

    Total number of The Nanny episodes Mr. Sheffield declares his feelings for Fran: 75

    30. Shawn Spencer and Juliet "Jules" O'Hara from Psych

    Screenshots from "Psych"
    USA Network

    "The tension was there from day one, but it was such a good slow burn."

    —tashakaye96

    Total number of Psych episodes before they kissed: 72

    31. Emma Swan and Killian Jones from Once Upon a Time

    Screenshots from "Once Upon a Time"
    ABC

    "Their chemistry was amazing, and I loved all of their banter. All of their kisses were so swoon-worthy!"

    —alysaurus688

    Total number of OUAT episodes before their first kiss in Neverland: 49

    32. Dana Scully and Fox Mulder from The X-Files

    Screenshots from "The X-Files"
    Fox

    "The answer has to be Mulder and Scully. They had astronomical levels of chemistry since day one, and they perfectly complemented each other. Everyone around them always mistook them for a couple because to anyone with eyes, they revolved around each other. After several almost kisses and love confessions that used everything but the word 'love,' they finally got together after seven seasons. The tension was wild, and the journey was so worth it. (We don’t talk about the revival seasons.)"

    —annahill95

    Total number of The X-Files episodes before they shared the iconic New Year's Eve kiss: 143

    33. And finally, Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly from The Office

    "...but I needed you to hear it."
    NBC

    "When they FINALLY got together, it was so satisfying! And unlike other shows that tend to lose steam once the main love interests get together, The Office just seemed to get better after they got together. They really did pull the whole show together."

    —emberdahlia

    Total number of The Office episodes before Jim confessed his feelings to Pam: 28

    Okay, we can't fit everyone into one post, so which other slow burn TV couples are the very best, and why? Tell us in the comments below!

    Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.