Top 20 Greatest Lesbian TV Couples of All Time
#20: Taissa Turner & Vanessa Palmer “Yellowjackets” (2021-)
In “Yellowjackets,” a plane crash leaves a bunch of high school girls stranded in the woods for nineteen months. It’s a traumatic experience, with the troupe eventually resorting to desperate measures. Amongst the survivors are Taissa and Van, whose loving and supportive relationship initially acts as a contrast to their teammates’ petty squabbling about boys. While stranded, Van sleeps beside Tai to keep an eye on her sleepwalking, and Tai fights off a wolf in an attempt to save an already badly mauled Van. We know that the pair later parted ways thanks to the show’s modern day scenes, but that’s beside the point. All we know is that we’re totally here for this uniquely complex queer representation.
#19: Emily Dickinson & Sue Gilbert “Dickinson” (2019-21)
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LGBTQIA+ people have always existed, a fact which “Dickinson” knows well. As its title implies, the series follows the life of poet Emily Dickinson, whose letters to her sister-in-law, Susan Gilbert, are thought by numerous scholars to have been romantic in nature. The AppleTV+ series leans into this theory, fully realizing the equally loving and tragic relationship between the two women on-screen. The pair fantasize about running away together, but ultimately accept the hard truth that their love will not be accepted in their lifetime. Emily eventually encourages Sue to go through with her marriage to Austin for the sake of stability, while Sue wholeheartedly supports Emily’s career as a writer. But through the many moments they share, their love for one another shines.
#18: Elena & Syd “One Day at a Time” (2017-20)
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This modern reimagining of a 1975 sitcom introduced audiences to the Alvarezes, a Cuban-American family taking life one day at a time in L.A.. Although the show covered a variety of topics from immigration to mental illness, its exploration of sexuality and gender identity through Elena and Syd won the hearts of many nonbinary and Latinx sapphics across the globe. The pair individually provided much needed representation for both groups without ever feeling stereotypical or derivative. They’re endearingly dorky, and unabashedly themselves. After all, they met through a club for feminist gamers, and spent their first official date dressed as The Doctor and his TARDIS from “Doctor Who.” What’s not to love?
#17: Rue Bennett & Jules Vaughn “Euphoria” (2019-)
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“Euphoria” has not been immune to criticism over the years. But there’s no denying that the relationship between Rue and Jules is an unforgettable one. Sure, the two have made their fair share of mistakes, but it’s clear through all of their turmoil that they deeply care about one another. Individually, the pair are some of “Euphoria”s most well-rounded characters, having special episodes that highlight their personal struggles with both themselves and each other. And together, they’re the show’s heart. The couple is also notable for being one of the few to feature a sapphic trans protagonist in Jules, whose transness is seen as important but never a point of contention between the pair.
#16: Emily Fields & Alison DiLaurentis “Pretty Little Liars” (2010-17)
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With A constantly on the prowl, it’s hard to believe that the characters of “Pretty Little Liars” had time for romance. But falling in love isn’t always convenient. Emily had a few relationships with women over the course of the series, but her romance with Alison became one of the most interesting on TV. Alison had been Emily’s best friend and longtime crush, who frequently flip-flopped between returning her affections and spurning her. The duo were caught off-guard when a malicious set-up by AD resulted in her becoming pregnant with Emily’s children. The circumstance helped Alison confront her sexuality, and the pair entered a relationship to raise their children together. “The Perfectionists” spinoff further revealed that they were married, though they ultimately split.
#15: Susan Bunch & Carol Willick “Friends” (1994-04)
A very early example of lesbians on mainstream television, Susan and Carol’s on-screen relationship was certainly not without its issues. The main, and supporting, cast of “Friends” often made off-color jokes at the couples’ expense, many of which were played for laughs for the show’s audience. But it’s impossible to deny just how revolutionary the pairing was on a broader scale. Their wedding was reportedly the first between two women on the small screen in the U.S,. Plus, their status as the primary caregivers of Carol and Ross’s son helped to normalize the concept of queer parenthood for the straight viewers. For the ‘90s, that was a pretty big deal!
#14: Alex Nuñez & Paige Michalchuk “Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2001-15)
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There have been plenty of great queer relationships on “Degrassi,” including friends turned lovers, Fiona and Imogen. But we think the show’s earlier sapphic relationship deserves a bit more love. Initially adversaries, Alex and Paige came to know each other better while working together at a movie theater. Their friendship gradually developed into something more, and Alex eventually confessed her feelings for her new pal with a kiss. Paige was initially taken aback, but soon realized she felt the same way, and the two became one of “Degrassi”s best couples. Sure, they didn’t always see eye to eye, and ultimately parted ways, but their dynamic when they were together was impeccable.
#13: Dani Clayton & Jamie Taylor “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020)
Mike Flanagan’s follow up to “The Haunting of Hill House” was as much a love story as it was a ghost story. Dani and Jamie meet at Bly Manor, where Dani works as an au pair and Jamie as a gardener. Unfortunately, there’s heightened paranormal activity at the estate. Dani is no stranger to ghosts, as she has her own personal connection to one. When she works up the courage to tell Jamie, it only strengthens their relationship, and their bond gives Dani the confidence she needs to finally move on. Although Dani is cursed to one day become the lady of the lake, she and Jamie are afforded many blissful years together as a couple before their tragic but inevitable end.
#12: Clarke & Lexa “The 100” (2014-20)
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If you’re a fan of the enemies to lovers trope, you probably love this ship. Clarke and Lexa met while at war with each other on a post-apocalyptic Earth, but slowly came to realize that the Mountain Men were a bigger threat to either of them than each other. After teaming up against a common enemy, the pair became closer, eventually recognizing that they had deeper feelings for one another. They entered a complicated relationship, which tragically ended far too soon when Lexa was accidentally killed by one of her own men. In the following seasons, Lexa’s physical form largely remained gone, but she certainly wasn’t forgotten. In the show’s finale, the commander was even revealed to be Clarke’s “greatest love”.
#11: Melanie Marcus & Lindsay Peterson “Queer as Folk” (2000-05)
“Queer as Folk” was one of the very first TV shows to depict LGBTQIA+ people in a way that was neither a condemnation nor a joke. It paved the way for a great deal of other shows to begin incorporating queer characters into their stories, and its legacy still lives on today. It also introduced us to Mel and Lindsay, a couple who showed us the ups and downs of the reality of being two women in a committed, long term relationship. From raising a family, to dealing with the biological fathers of their children, to being persecuted for their sexuality, these two show us that true love will always prevail.
#10: Callie Torres & Arizona Robbins “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)
In one of the longest airing medical dramas on television, there is no shortage of couples getting together, breaking up and getting back together again. But we have to admit that Calzona has by far been one of our favorites. No one can forget their first kiss in the bathroom at Joe’s, or the first time they said “I love you”. While it wasn’t always the easiest road, we like to think that the journey was special and memorable, and these two will always have a place in our hearts.
#9: Cosima Niehaus & Delphine Cormier “Orphan Black” (2013-17)
If you’ve never seen “Orphan Black,” you are missing out on some great content, not least of which is the beautiful relationship between Cosima and Delphine. After meeting at the university where Cosima was doing her Ph.D., these two immediately had some intense chemistry. We knew we were in for the long haul when they started making crazy science together. Between Cosima’s respiratory illness, and Delphine’s secrets, the two of them haven’t always had an easy run of things, but after everything they’ve been through, we know their love is true, and strong enough to hold against whatever the world throws at them.
#8: Amanita Caplan & Nomi Marks “Sense8” (2015-18)
When we first met Nomi Marks and her kickass girlfriend Amanita in the Wachowskis’ stunning Netflix show, we were struck by the frank and honest portrayal of a cisgender and trans woman in love. These two are the epitome of
#relationshipgoals. They hold no secrets from one another, are a powerhouse in the world of hacktivists, and have on occasion saved each other from evil secret organizations. Their relationship is one of the healthiest and strongest we’ve ever seen, and we thank the Wachowskis every day for bringing them into our lives and showing the positive side of unconventional relationship dynamics.
#7: Waverly Earp & Nicole Haught “Wynonna Earp” (2016-21)
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As its title implies, Wynonna Earp is the primary protagonist of this show. But it’s the character’s half-sister, Waverly, who ultimately gave the show its dedicated LGBTQIA+ following. In “Wynonna Earp”s first season, Waverly realizes that she is bisexual, and pursues a romance with her county’s sheriff, Nicole Haught. Nicole reciprocates Waverly’s feelings, and the pair enter a relationship that lasts throughout the rest of the show’s four seasons. The couple manage to avoid most of the tropes typical of sapphic relationships on TV, with both characters making it to the end of the story alive and well. In fact, the series finale is largely focused on their wedding! We couldn’t ask for better representation.
#6: Kelly & Yorkie “Black Mirror” (2011-)
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The world has never looked more terrifying than in Charlie Brooker’s “Black Mirror”, an anthology series mapping out various scenarios in humanity’s near future where technology can either be an asset...or a catastrophe. In one of the show’s few episodes that aren’t entirely gloomy, we’re introduced to Kelly and Yorkie. What follows is one of the most touching episodes of television to have ever been created. Kelly and Yorkie are drawn to each other, and we find out that although San Junipero is a simulated world, they can’t stop falling in love. They bring out the bravery and honesty in one another, and the ending of this episode makes us cry every single time.
#5: Willow Rosenberg & Tara Maclay “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
A truly iconic couple, these two didn’t even meet until the show’s fourth season, when Willow attended a Wiccan meeting in college. Due to TV censorship rules at the time, their relationship was mostly alluded to through their use of magic, but this did not at all hinder the sensuality that each of the actresses brought to the screen. While we’re never going to forgive the stray bullet that hit Tara and caused her death, we are thankful for the existence of this couple as one of the earliest representations of female queerness on a mainstream television show.
#4: Alice Pieszecki & Dana Fairbanks “The L Word” (2004-09)
What happens when two best friends fall in love? “The L Word”, a pioneer in TV for LGBTQIA+ characters, explores just one possibility when Alice and Dana, long time friends, recognise their attraction to one another. After deciding that they can’t act on it, and laying down some ground rules (like never being alone together) they soon realize that they just can’t fight their feelings. Even though it caused the breakup of an engagement and permanently altered the course of their lives, we had never been so happy to see a couple get together.
#3: Alex Vause & Piper Chapman “Orange Is the New Black” (2013-19)
It might seem unbelievable, but when Piper ended up at Litchfield penitentiary and was reunited with her ex-girlfriend, Alex, we were rooting for them right away. Despite Piper having a fiancé, and despite Alex being the reason she’s in prison in the first place, the two work out surprisingly well. Alex isn’t afraid to confront Piper and call out her behavior, but we think that Piper needs her in her life. As for Alex, she acts tough as nails, but when she lets her guard down with Piper, we realize that she needs Piper and much as Piper needs her.
#2: Santana Lopez & Brittany S. Pierce “Glee” (2009-15)
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“Glee” might have had its troubles over its six seasons, but no one will disagree that the one thing they got right was Brittana. Despite each of them starting out as minor characters, their following grew until they ranked among the most popular figures - and couples - on the show. An important step in visibility, Santana’s story about coming to terms with her feelings is one of the most nuanced arcs on the show, and we’ll never be able to listen to Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” without tearing up ever again. When these two bffs got together, we knew that despite any hiccups in their relationship, they were in it for the long haul. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Carson Shaw & Greta Gill, “A League of Their Own” (2022) This Relationship Is a Home Run, on & off the Field Ava & Beatrice, “Warrior Nun” (2020-22) The Only Thing Harder Than Loving a Warrior Nun Is Watching These Two Part Ways Rose Solano & Luisa Alver, “Jane the Virgin” (2014-19) Luisa & Rose Connected on the Fourth of July, & Let’s Just Say There Were Fireworks Ava Sharpe & Sara Lance, “DC's Legends of Tomorrow” (2016-22) Only Ava & Sara Could Make Us Emotional About Furniture Annalise Keating & Eve Rothlo, “How to Get Away with Murder” (2014-20) Annalise May Not Have Always Chosen Eve, but When She Did It Was Magic
#1: Stef & Lena Adams Foster “The Fosters” (2013-18)
With television’s long history of killing off queer women, it has never been a more important time for women who love women to be given positive representation. With its puntastic title, “The Fosters” follows a married couple, Stef and Lena, who raise their foster and adopted children. They might not always see eye to eye about everything, but they are always able to move their problems. Their marriage is a strong, compassionate one, with plenty of love to go around. Despite hitting roadblocks, these two are determined to make their family work, and are a great example of a healthy, happy relationship that we should all aspire to emulate. Did your favorite couple make the list? Let us know in the comments!
