Top 20 TV Couples That Never Became Canon, But Should Have

As a total movie and TV buff, I’ve always noticed that even in stories that aren’t about romance, there’s usually a romantic spark. But the couples I really remember, the ones I still think about years later, are often the ones the show never officially made happen! Think about Jim and Pam from The Office, or Nick and Jess from New Girl, even Eleanor and Chidi from The Good Place – they’re iconic. Of course, not every TV pairing hits the mark; some just don’t quite click with viewers.

Many TV couples have been frustrating to watch because they lacked believable chemistry or a well-developed connection. Interestingly, even pairings that started strong didn’t always last. Often, the most popular couples – known as “ships” among fans – never actually become official on the show. Despite this, a lot of these fan-favorite pairings were actually better than the relationships the show writers actually presented.

Chloe & Clark

Smallville

As a big Smallville fan, I always loved Chloe Sullivan, played by Allison Mack. She was such a great addition to the show and really helped flesh out Clark Kent’s (Tom Welling) journey before he became Superman. Clark and Chloe had amazing chemistry – they were a fantastic duo! But honestly, I always felt like the show missed a trick by not exploring the romantic tension between them more fully. It was always there, and I wish they’d leaned into it.

Chloe and Clark shared a connection throughout Smallville, most notably when Clark was affected by Red Kryptonite and they had a brief romance. However, their timing was always off, preventing a real relationship. Despite never being officially a couple, the chemistry between Chloe and Clark was clear from the very beginning, and fans have wondered ‘what if?’ about their unfulfilled potential ever since the show first aired in the early 2000s.

Tori & Andre

Victorious

The Nickelodeon show Victorious surprisingly featured a lot of romantic relationships. However, Andre Harris (Leon Thomas III) was a clear exception – even though he had great chemistry with many of the other main characters, he wasn’t involved in any of those storylines.

As a huge fan of Victorious, I always got a strong sense that Andre and Tori Vega (Victoria Justice) had something special going on – way more than just friendship, you know? Their duets were consistently the best parts of the show, and their chemistry was undeniable. Honestly, Andre deserved a great romance, and I always thought Tori could have been it – they would have been perfect together!

Caitlin & Barry

The Flash

Over the nine seasons of The Flash, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) had romantic interests in several characters. However, from the very beginning of the show, Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) connected with Barry more quickly and naturally than anyone else.

Many viewers thought The Flash was gradually building a romantic connection between Barry and Caitlin. Unfortunately, after the first season, they appeared together less and less, and both characters ended up with other love interests. The CW network has often disappointed fans by not making popular pairings official, but the missed potential between Caitlin and Barry remains particularly frustrating.

JJ & Emily

Criminal Minds

When Paget Brewster joined the cast of Criminal Minds as Emily Prentiss, she fit right into the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and added exciting new energy to the team. Her developing friendship with AJ Cook’s character, JJ, was particularly interesting to watch.

As a longtime viewer of Criminal Minds, I always sensed a deep connection between JJ and Emily. A romance felt perpetually almost happening, but it genuinely made sense given their dynamic. Of everyone on the team, their bond was truly special and irreplaceable. They consistently gravitated towards each other, offering support and understanding… just not in the romantic way so many of us were hoping for.

Nancy & Robin

Stranger Things

While many characters have appeared in Stranger Things, Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) quickly became a vital part of the team. When she first met Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), viewers immediately sensed a connection between them. Their partnership in season 4 of Stranger Things only strengthened the hopes of fans who want to see Nancy and Robin become a couple – a pairing often called “Ronance.”

Hawke and Dyer themselves fed into the hype surrounding Nancy and Robin, but their relationship never went beyond platonic affection. There have been canon queer characters in Stranger Things — meaning Nancy and Robin were never an impossible pairing — but other couplings took precedence, to the chagrin of many fans.

Zuko & Katara

Avatar: The Last Airbender

While Katara had several potential love interests in Avatar: The Last Airbender, many fans didn’t see Aang as the best match for her. Some believe a romance between Katara and Zuko would have been a classic case of opposites attracting, offering a compelling storyline.

I really started shipping Katara and Zuko when Katara tried to help heal his burns – it felt like a huge moment! It was heartbreaking though, because despite all that chemistry, they never actually became more than friends. We fans always hoped, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Clarke & Bellamy

The 100

Most fans of The 100 were left puzzled by the relationship between Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor) and Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley). Throughout the series, Clarke and Bellamy showed many signs of a developing romantic connection, with moments of tension, longing looks, and subtle physical contact.

Adding to the frustration, Clarke and Bellamy’s romantic potential wasn’t just ignored – the actors playing their roles, Taylor and Morley, deliberately portrayed scenes with romantic undertones. Yet, the show ultimately had Clarke be the one responsible for Bellamy’s controversial death. It’s ironic, then, that Taylor and Blake (who played Bellamy) are now married with a child. In a strange way, Clarke and Bellamy did get a happy ending, just not in the way fans expected.

Kirk & Spock

Star Trek: The Original Series

One of the most well-known fictional pairings that isn’t officially part of the story is the friendship between Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) from Star Trek. While serving together on the USS Enterprise, Spock and Kirk developed a strong bond and worked together very effectively.

The connection between Spock and Kirk is one of the most beloved parts of Star Trek, but it always leaves fans wondering what might have been. If the show had been made now, their obvious romantic connection likely would have been a central storyline.

Rachel & Quinn

Glee

During the first season of Glee, Quinn Fabray and Rachel Berry both had feelings for the same guy, Finn Hudson. As the show went on, Glee explored how surprisingly similar the two girls were, suggesting their rivalry actually came from feeling jealous and insecure.

While Rachel and Quinn weren’t close friends on Glee, many fans believe they could have made a compelling romantic couple. The show established that Quinn had a relationship with another woman, but after the storyline involving Finn ended, Rachel and Quinn didn’t have much interaction, and their interesting connection was quickly overlooked.

Hinata & Kageyama

Haikyu!!

Haikyu!! is a well-loved sports anime, and many fans enjoy imagining romantic relationships between the main volleyball players. The most popular couple that fans pair together is Hinata and Kageyama, who have a particularly captivating connection.

As a huge fan, I’ve been completely captivated by the relationship between Hinata and Kageyama. At first, they really clashed, but it quickly became clear they just needed each other to shine on the court. They turned into an incredible duo during matches! And honestly, their dynamic is classic – Hinata’s always-positive energy perfectly balances out Kageyama’s more…intense personality. It’s a really satisfying pairing to watch.

2025-12-07 21:13