Top 10 Forbidden TV Romances
forbidden tv romances, forbidden romances, tv romances, tv couples, ships, tv ships, romance, tv, MsMojo, Viral, Countdown, lists, listicles, top 10,
Script written by Laura Keating
Is there anything more enticing than forbidden love? Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Forbidden TV Romances.
For this list, we’re going to be looking at the most passionate illicit romances to ever tease audiences on the small screen. As forbidden romance often comes with a tantalizing twist, a spoiler warning is now in effect.
“The Affair” (2014-)
It doesn’t get much more forbidden than extramarital affairs. When Noah Solloway meets Alison Bailey at the diner where she works as a waitress, he is a happily married man – or at least mostly happy. Alison herself is trying to get her life back together after the death of her son. While cheating isn’t cool, they (like others on this list) are captivated by desire. With the story told from the shifting, often differing perspectives of these two leads, it is a provocative look into the minds of people who know deep down they should not be together.
“Charmed” (1998-2006)
The first but not last supernaturally star-crossed lovers, Cole and Phoebe got off to a rocky start. As half-demon soldier Belthazor, Cole was sent after the Charmed sisters by the Triad. However, his human side emerged when he fell in love with Phoebe and it began to be his dominant trait. Sadly, things couldn’t stay rosy for long. When he became possessed by the Source of All Evil, Phoebe temporarily joined him as an evil-doer - however she would eventually break things off in a big way with the help of her sisters.
“Lost” (2004-10)
This dynamic and game-changing series from the early 2000s pushed the boundaries of long-form storytelling in many ways, with engaging characters carrying the addictive if at times convoluted plot. One such character is Sayid Jarrah, one of the Oceanic Six. Sayid and Noor "Nadia" Abed Jaseem first meet as children and schoolyard friends. As an adult, Sayid joins the Iraqi Republican Guard while Nadia is a freedom fighter against Saddam Hussein's regime. When she is captured, it is Sayid’s job to interrogate her. Instead, he falls in love with her all over again and helps her to escape.
“Pushing Daisies” (2007-09)
Ned’s got a very particular talent: with the touch of a finger, he can bring the deceased back to life. Charlotte, aka Chuck, was the girl-next-door and Ned’s childhood crush. Sadly, in adulthood she is murdered so Ned takes it upon himself to resurrect his one-time sweetheart. There is a catch, however: another touch puts anyone Ned has resuscitated back down for good. Despite being in love, they can never touch – not a kiss goodnight, not a little hand-holding at sunset. They come up with creative ways to be in contact (smooch through a body bag, anyone?), but they’re still playing a dangerous game of keep-away.
“Downton Abbey” (2010-15)
This is the classic tale of two lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. Sybil is the youngest daughter of a well-established aristocratic house; she might have progressive views, but her future path seems set for her - until she meets Tom Branson, the new chauffeur. An Irishman and outspoken socialist, he is in many ways against everything that the Crawley family represents in society. However, despite their different backgrounds they have similar political minds and it isn’t long before their romance blossoms in spite of her family’s initial disapproval. When they are discovered, they do everything they can to stay together, finally achieving their happy ending … if not for long.
“Scandal” (2012-18)
With a name like “Scandal,” you know that this show is going to be filled with salacious secrets! Olivia Pope helped Fitz Grant make it to the White House, but their professional relationship crosses lines and leads to an – ahem – scandalous affair. But once the stump speeches and the election are over, who’s still jumping into bed is another thing. Washington DC is a hotbed of secrets and political one-upmanship, and despite all the work to get Grant into the Oval Office, an extramarital affair could mean the undoing of everything they built.
“Orange Is the New Black” (2013-)
Every relationship has its own power dynamic as two partners figure each other out, which is why in situations where the balance is already unnaturally tipped, romantic relations are not typically recommended. That being said, this is a forbidden romance list and Dannett is an undeniably cute couple. John Bennett is (or was) a Correctional Officer at Litchfield Penitentiary. Daya Diaz is an inmate. You can already see the problem here. However, despite the taboo nature of their romance, they communicate through notes and quickie hook-ups. Daya becomes pregnant with John’s child, a fact that could get John in serious trouble. The strain it all puts them through is just as real as the love is.
“Pretty Little Liars” (2010-17)
Ever gone out and met someone really cute at a bar? Someone you connected to and with whom you shared interests as well as had a physical attraction to? Did that person turn out to be your high school teacher? Well, this is the situation that Ezra Fitz and Aria Montgomery find themselves in. Aria tries to do what she feels is the right thing, asking to be transferred out of the cute, young prof’s class because she doesn’t think she could help herself and doesn’t want to put him in an awkward position. But the stars align a different way, and she stays. Professor/student relationships are highly taboo, but we’re sure glad we got Ezria despite it.
“True Blood” (2008-14)
What’s the only thing more complicated than friends becoming lovers? When one of them is a vampire, of course! Even in a world where vampires have come out into the open, the situation is fraught with peril and so many ups and downs we don’t even know where to begin. Sookie Stackhouse is a half-fairy/half-human with the ability to read people’s thoughts; Bill Compton is a 150-plus year-old vampire. You’d think their supernatural status would be enough, but in the end, theirs is a love story marred by tragedy, betrayal, redemption, and heartache.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Victoria Grayson & David Clarke
“Revenge” (2011-15)
Gabrielle Solis & John Rowland
“Desperate Housewives” (2004-2012)
Nikita Mears & Michael Bishop
“Nikita” (2010-13)
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
Buffy doesn’t just slay some serious vampire butt, but she looks good doing it. The teenage Slayer is stumped, therefore, when she encounters Angel, a vampire who is not like the rest; he actually seems to have a soul. Cautious indifference turns to attraction, however, as it becomes apparent they are on the same side … at least for a time. When they consummate their love and his soul is suddenly lost, things get real bad real fast. It’s been twenty years, and we’re still not over the tragedy that was “Becoming.” Annnnd cue the Sarah McLachlan.
Top 10 Forbidden TV Romances
Is there anything more enticing than forbidden love? Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Forbidden TV Romances.
For this list, we’re going to be looking at the most passionate illicit romances to ever tease audiences on the small screen. As forbidden romance often comes with a tantalizing twist, a spoiler warning is now in effect.
#10: Alison Bailey & Noah Solloway
“The Affair” (2014-)
It doesn’t get much more forbidden than extramarital affairs. When Noah Solloway meets Alison Bailey at the diner where she works as a waitress, he is a happily married man – or at least mostly happy. Alison herself is trying to get her life back together after the death of her son. While cheating isn’t cool, they (like others on this list) are captivated by desire. With the story told from the shifting, often differing perspectives of these two leads, it is a provocative look into the minds of people who know deep down they should not be together.
#9: Cole Turner & Phoebe Halliwell
“Charmed” (1998-2006)
The first but not last supernaturally star-crossed lovers, Cole and Phoebe got off to a rocky start. As half-demon soldier Belthazor, Cole was sent after the Charmed sisters by the Triad. However, his human side emerged when he fell in love with Phoebe and it began to be his dominant trait. Sadly, things couldn’t stay rosy for long. When he became possessed by the Source of All Evil, Phoebe temporarily joined him as an evil-doer - however she would eventually break things off in a big way with the help of her sisters.
#8: Sayid Jarrah & Noor ‘Nadia’ Abed Jaseem
“Lost” (2004-10)
This dynamic and game-changing series from the early 2000s pushed the boundaries of long-form storytelling in many ways, with engaging characters carrying the addictive if at times convoluted plot. One such character is Sayid Jarrah, one of the Oceanic Six. Sayid and Noor "Nadia" Abed Jaseem first meet as children and schoolyard friends. As an adult, Sayid joins the Iraqi Republican Guard while Nadia is a freedom fighter against Saddam Hussein's regime. When she is captured, it is Sayid’s job to interrogate her. Instead, he falls in love with her all over again and helps her to escape.
#7: Ned & Charlotte ‘Chuck’ Charles
“Pushing Daisies” (2007-09)
Ned’s got a very particular talent: with the touch of a finger, he can bring the deceased back to life. Charlotte, aka Chuck, was the girl-next-door and Ned’s childhood crush. Sadly, in adulthood she is murdered so Ned takes it upon himself to resurrect his one-time sweetheart. There is a catch, however: another touch puts anyone Ned has resuscitated back down for good. Despite being in love, they can never touch – not a kiss goodnight, not a little hand-holding at sunset. They come up with creative ways to be in contact (smooch through a body bag, anyone?), but they’re still playing a dangerous game of keep-away.
#6: Lady Sybil Crawley & Tom Branson
“Downton Abbey” (2010-15)
This is the classic tale of two lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. Sybil is the youngest daughter of a well-established aristocratic house; she might have progressive views, but her future path seems set for her - until she meets Tom Branson, the new chauffeur. An Irishman and outspoken socialist, he is in many ways against everything that the Crawley family represents in society. However, despite their different backgrounds they have similar political minds and it isn’t long before their romance blossoms in spite of her family’s initial disapproval. When they are discovered, they do everything they can to stay together, finally achieving their happy ending … if not for long.
#5: Olivia Pope & Fitzgerald ‘Fitz’ Grant
“Scandal” (2012-18)
With a name like “Scandal,” you know that this show is going to be filled with salacious secrets! Olivia Pope helped Fitz Grant make it to the White House, but their professional relationship crosses lines and leads to an – ahem – scandalous affair. But once the stump speeches and the election are over, who’s still jumping into bed is another thing. Washington DC is a hotbed of secrets and political one-upmanship, and despite all the work to get Grant into the Oval Office, an extramarital affair could mean the undoing of everything they built.
#4: Dayanara ‘Daya’ Diaz & John Bennett
“Orange Is the New Black” (2013-)
Every relationship has its own power dynamic as two partners figure each other out, which is why in situations where the balance is already unnaturally tipped, romantic relations are not typically recommended. That being said, this is a forbidden romance list and Dannett is an undeniably cute couple. John Bennett is (or was) a Correctional Officer at Litchfield Penitentiary. Daya Diaz is an inmate. You can already see the problem here. However, despite the taboo nature of their romance, they communicate through notes and quickie hook-ups. Daya becomes pregnant with John’s child, a fact that could get John in serious trouble. The strain it all puts them through is just as real as the love is.
#3: Ezra Fitz & Aria Montgomery
“Pretty Little Liars” (2010-17)
Ever gone out and met someone really cute at a bar? Someone you connected to and with whom you shared interests as well as had a physical attraction to? Did that person turn out to be your high school teacher? Well, this is the situation that Ezra Fitz and Aria Montgomery find themselves in. Aria tries to do what she feels is the right thing, asking to be transferred out of the cute, young prof’s class because she doesn’t think she could help herself and doesn’t want to put him in an awkward position. But the stars align a different way, and she stays. Professor/student relationships are highly taboo, but we’re sure glad we got Ezria despite it.
#2: Bill Compton & Sookie Stackhouse
“True Blood” (2008-14)
What’s the only thing more complicated than friends becoming lovers? When one of them is a vampire, of course! Even in a world where vampires have come out into the open, the situation is fraught with peril and so many ups and downs we don’t even know where to begin. Sookie Stackhouse is a half-fairy/half-human with the ability to read people’s thoughts; Bill Compton is a 150-plus year-old vampire. You’d think their supernatural status would be enough, but in the end, theirs is a love story marred by tragedy, betrayal, redemption, and heartache.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Victoria Grayson & David Clarke
“Revenge” (2011-15)
Gabrielle Solis & John Rowland
“Desperate Housewives” (2004-2012)
Nikita Mears & Michael Bishop
“Nikita” (2010-13)
#1: Buffy Summers & Angel
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
Buffy doesn’t just slay some serious vampire butt, but she looks good doing it. The teenage Slayer is stumped, therefore, when she encounters Angel, a vampire who is not like the rest; he actually seems to have a soul. Cautious indifference turns to attraction, however, as it becomes apparent they are on the same side … at least for a time. When they consummate their love and his soul is suddenly lost, things get real bad real fast. It’s been twenty years, and we’re still not over the tragedy that was “Becoming.” Annnnd cue the Sarah McLachlan.
Have an idea you want to see made into a WatchMojo video? Check out our suggest page and submit your idea.
Step up your quiz game by answering fun trivia questions! Love games with friends? Challenge friends and family in our leaderboard! Play Now!