FAVORITE TV COUPLES WE LOVE THAT BREAK UP (AND BREAK OUR HEARTS)
From Valentine’s Day to, on February twenty-first, Breakup Day, these two days are two opposites of the extreme. Despite this, this odd juxtaposition of two emotions did get us thinking about the couples we loved (or maybe didn’t!) that didn’t quite get happy ever after. A while back we shared a list of the OTP’s that broke our heart. But as we always know, there is always more to talk about. This is why we’re looking at more of the TV couples that broke our heart.
LIST | THE MEMORABLE LOVE STORY OF MADDIE AND CAL: ‘SWEET MAGNOLIAS’ OTP FAVORITE
FAVORITE TV COUPLES WE LOVE THAT BREAK UP (AND BREAK OUR HEARTS). #MissScarlet #ElizaScarletandWilliam #NCIS #TVCouples #BreakUp #Romance #GilmoreGirls Share on XFrom crime dramas to period dramas, there are a handful of couples that didn’t make it to the happy ending we were rooting for. Or maybe most of us were rooting for that eventual breakup. Still, as they are characters we like, celebrating their almost or could-have-beens is sometimes a fun notion. Let’s meet the characters that match our parameters.
FAVORITE TV COUPLES WE LOVE THAT BREAK UP or DID THEY?
Please note, there will be spoilers if that’s not your thing
MARK DARCY and BRIDGET JONES from BRIDGET JONES
Ok, here’s the truth. Adding these two may be unfair because technically, yes, they do end up together. But it’s not in a fictional forever leave-them-happy kind of way. It’s quite heartbreaking and not something I’m really fond of, but I respect how well the film handles Mark not being there anymore. It allows grief and recognizes it (which even made, even me, a viewer who hasn’t seen the entire franchise tear up), but is also a delightfully joyful film.
Stream, at publication, on Peacock; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
LORELAI GILMORE and MAX or LORELAI and CHRISTOPHER from GILMORE GIRLS
I miss Max.
– Lorelai Gilmore from GIlmore GIrls
– Credit: Ron Jaffe | PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy –
I have zero idea if anyone rooted for Lorelai and Christopher, but based on my memory, I did like Max. He seemed like more of a steadying force in Lorelai’s life and someone she needed over the back-and-forth between her and Christopher.
Stream, at publication, on Hulu or Netflix; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
RAYLAN GIVENS and AVA CROWDER from JUSTIFIED
These two, I am sure, were doomed from the start. We learn when he returns to his hometown that Ava has had a crush on the slightly older Raylan, but he’s been married and now divorced and there is still feelings there. Still, when I watched this one, I do seem to remember liking them when they were a thing.
– Credit: FX Productions | Alamy / Moviestore Collection –
Stream, at publication, on Hulu; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
DORCAS LANE and JAMES from LARK RISE to CANDLEFORD
This is one of the TV couples that break up that I think we were a little surprised up. I think we thought would end with these two being each other’s “the one.” They don’t last as we know, and I actually find this romance ending to be one of the sadder ones. Perhaps compacted by the fact that the show is a small town period drama about closeness, and so the stories have a more personal bent over the more trendy way to tell a story which is some big, multi episode mystery.
Stream, at publication, on BritBox, Roku or Tubi
SARAH MACKENZIE and MIC from JAG
I don’t know that many people were rooting for these two to last. Not sure what the impression was during my first run-through (remembering that far back is asking too much), however during this re-watch, I don’t hate them. I think Mic does love Sarah, and just as culture champions women for saying goodbye and leaving a relationship where the partner isn’t “all in,” Mic too made the right choice; the fact that he’s a guy shouldn’t change this.
Stream, at publication, on Paramount+ or Prime Video; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
SAM MALONE and DIANE CHAMBERS from CHEERS
I think there was some back and forth as to whether these two would end up together or separate. The latter wins out (more than once) and in some ways this does disappoint, but in another, I think neither of them were ready to commit at the same time. I think Sam was ready to commit when Diane was less sure, and Diane too was ready to commit when he wasn’t. I also haven’t decided if I loved their witty banter or didn’t, which maybe means they aren’t a couple I’m devastated about. What I am devastated about is that right up until the end (even though Shelley Long’s Diane does go MIA for a bit), there is the idea that they will be end game. That’s more annoying than their actual separate ways. The writer’s convince us that they are reconciling and we are happy, only to then leave everyone disappointed.
Stream, at publication, on Hulu, Paramount+ or Pluto TV; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
JIMMY PALMER and JESSICA KNIGHT from NCIS
These two DO break my heart. I understand that they both have different plans for the future, and this means different directions, but I think these two could go all the way and I think that they, if they’d choose it, could make a solid relationship work (both are mature adults unlike some TV relationships). I also love that, as characters, they aren’t really a “match” in a traditional way.
Stream, at publication, on Paramount+; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
FAVORITE TV COUPLES WE LOVE THAT BREAK UP (AND BREAK OUR HEARTS). #MissScarlet #ElizaScarletandWilliam #NCIS #TVCouples #BreakUp #Romance Share on X
HARMON RABB and RENE from JAG
These two probably are not engrained on the mind of anyone, but as someone who is rewatching JAG (after watching it all the way through years ago), I do think they are cute. The sass Rene has is a fabulous kind of counter to Rabb’s more serious nature. I think she could have been good for him, a perspective I have since I know how the show ends, and no longer have the foolish investments I had in the first watch. She is supportive of Harm, but also is a reminder, even if not obviously so, that he should take time to have fun.
Stream, at publication, on Paramount+ or Prime Video; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
AGATHA RAISIN and JAMES from AGATHA RAISIN
These two not lasting did make me sad. I thought they would and we were even convinced of this eventuality when the pair reunite in a hilarious mystery. Alas, it doesn’t seem meant to be as last we saw them, they weren’t coupled up.
Stream, at publication, on Acorn TV; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
HANNAH SWENSON and MIKE from MURDER, SHE BAKED and HANNAH SWENSON MYSTERIES
A Hallmark mystery series, having Hannah and Mike not go the distance was something that broke the hearts of fans. I cannot remember the last movie I saw in this series, but at the time Cameron Mathison’s Mike was still in the life of Allison Sweeney’s Hannah.
Stream, at publication, on Hallmark+; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
AURORA TEAGARDEN and MARTIN from AURORA TEAGARDEN (MOVIES)
Best known for his role in the Canadian mystery Murdoch Mysteries, Yannick Bisson played Martin, a man Aurora dated for five (I think) films in the 15+ movie franchise. He’s a spy I think and ends up leaving after a period of time. I quite liked his character and won’t lie, I always hoped he’d come back into Aurora’s life. Eventually she does marry and find happiness, which fans were 100% supportive of, but still I did really like Martin’s character, which I sure is in part fueled by the fact that I love the actor as William Murdoch.
Stream, at publication, on Hallmark+; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
WILL TRENT and ANGIE from WILL TRENT
Of the TV couples that break up, this is one of the more current ones and they are making some pop culture stories. I’ve seen very little of this drama, but from all that I see on social media and read, they are currently not a thing. Actors or writers have also been interviewed saying that there is a lot of things between them now that means they cannot go back. Still, I do also see some articles or critics thinking they will find their way back. What is your take?
Stream, at publication, on Hulu; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
WILLIAM WELLINGTON and ELIZA SCARLET from MISS SCARLET and the DUKE
This is because I love you.
– William, from Miss Scarlet and the Duke
Retooling this Masterpiece PBS show simply as Miss Scarlet signaled that William aka the Duke is no longer a part of Eliza’s world. Still, fans everywhere did root on these childhood best friends (and I loved the way William loved Eliza) and are now feeling a little saddened by his departure and the fact that it means the pair may not end up together. Of course, this is one romance that could still come together, but time will tell as fans anxiously await what’s next for the plucky Eliza Scarlet.
Stream, at publication, on the PBS app or on the Masterpiece PBS Prime Video channel; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
Did you root on any of these couples? Do you have hope any will reconcile? (There may still be hope for some!) What do you think was the “breaking point” for some? What are some of your how-could-they favorite TV couples that break up? Comment all of your thoughts below. Let’s talk.
Photos: Alamy | Acorn TV (‘Agatha Raisin’) | Masterpiece PBS (‘Miss Scarlet and the Duke’)
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