Top 10 Most Unexpected TV Kisses

In 2011, MTV introduced viewers to Teen Wolf, a supernatural teen drama inspired by the 1985 Michael J. Fox movie of the same name. Fans were treated to many surprises throughout the series’ 6 season run and one of the most unexpected moments happened between the characters, Stiles and Lydia. After experiencing a panic attack, Lydia helps calm down Stiles by kissing him on the lips. The moment, while not intentionally romantic, changed what was originally only an unrequited crush on Stiles’ part by helping to set the foundation for one of the series’ favorite later couplings. The pair are affectionately referred to as “Stydia” by fans.

In a series filled with surprising moments, Fleabag’s Hot Priest kiss takes the cake. In the final and second season, Fleabag finds herself facing her most challenging romantic prospect ever: an attractive and charming religious man, played by Andrew Scott. The stakes are high as he not only breaks his holy and sacred vow by kissing her, but he also does it in a confession booth! While the smooch might be forbidden, there is no denying that it filled the mold of the series’ signature shock value while also managing to show depth and solid character development.

Of course, any Parks and Rec fan knows that for Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt, their first interaction with each other was not a great start. When the former teen mayor, played by Adam Scott, joins the Pawnee gang in season 2, he has his work cut out for him, but he eventually gets on Knope’s good side. However, it's not until season 3 in the episode “Road Trip” that the two finally plant one on each other. What’s surprising about this kiss is that although fans had their suspicions, they had to wait a long time before it happened, making the moment even more unexpected and satisfying. That - and the fact that city manager Chris Traeger has a strict no-dating policy of course. Eventually though, this kiss becomes the catalyst for one of television comedy’s favorite couples and proves that love isn’t always at first sight.

Like many teen-centered narratives, Glee never shied away from depicting the harsh realities of high school life. From slushie facials to dumpster tosses, the New Directions dealt with some seriously disturbing behavior at the hands of their peers. Kurt Hummel had an especially hard time, being physically and verbally mistreated by homophobic student, Dave Karofsky. In a season 2 twist, Kurt confronts Dave, who ends up kissing him. As it turns out, the football player is struggling to accept his own sexuality, which plays out later in the season. Unlike the other kisses on this list, it is not romantic or consensual. Rather the kiss is used to explore the difficult realities LGTBQ+ youth face and the responsibility of educators to protect their students.

From “The Office”’s Jim and Pam to “Cheers” Sam and Diane, staff romances are a staple of the workplace sitcom and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”’s Jake and Amy are no exception to the fan favorite trope. In the season 2 finale, the partners go undercover as a couple named Johnny and Dora. To protect their aliases, the two share their first kiss. But it’s not until later in the episode where they revert back to themselves and they share a private “real” kiss. Though they’d both confessed feelings for each other earlier in the series, Amy had also stated she didn’t want to go out with a police officer. This expression of affection is so unexpected that it left both them - and the audience - a little speechless, to say the least.

From the get-go, there was a spark between Stars Hollow’s resident bad boy, Jess, and studious intellectual, Rory. However, Gilmore Girls fans were never quite sure when, how and if the pair would ever become more than just friends. Between Jess' attitude and Rory’s relationship with Dean, their budding attraction had a lot of obstacles in its way. By season 2, fans got their wish when the two finally locked lips right before Sookie’s wedding. Although they weren’t end game, their kiss lived up to the age old notion that opposites attract.

Ah, first kisses. Sometimes, they’re romantic but most of the time, they’re just downright awkward. However, for iCarly’s Sam Puckett and Freddie Benson, their first smooch was kind of perfect. In the season 2 episode, aptly titled “iKiss”, Sam publicly reveals that Freddie has never been kissed, leaving him so embarrassed that he starts skipping school. She later confesses on their web show that she hasn’t been kissed either and the former frenemies share not only their first with each other, but also their first kiss ever. Earning them the couple name of Seddie by fans, a young romance blossoms between the pseudo-enemies-turned friends, with this moment going down as one of the most surprising in the history of the Nickelodeon comedy.

Yes, Ross and Rachel’s first kiss will go down in television history, but given their “will they or won’t they” dynamic, it was inevitable. However, not even the most dedicated Friends fan could have foreseen what transpired between Chandler and Monica in the season 4 finale. After waking up together on the morning of Ross’ infamous wedding to Emily, the two BFFs are just as shocked as viewers by their hookup. It becomes clear that their tryst is far from being just a fling when the two share their first onscreen kiss in the first episode of season 5 and solidifies them as the romance that we never saw coming.

On ABC’s Once Upon A Time, adventure and romance are fixtures of the fairytale themed fantasy series. But the fan favorite pairing of the charming outlaw, Captain Hook aka Killian Jones and protagonist, Emma Swan, is by far the most hot and passionate. In season 3, after learning that Hook saved her father, Emma thanks him by planting one on him. While fans may have had an inkling that the pair would pucker up eventually, no one could have expected just how red hot their lip lock would be. The kiss ends with Emma making it known that it’s nothing more than a “one time thing”, but it sparks an epic romance between the two that is nothing short of a fairy tale.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Barney Stinson & Robin Scherbatsky, “How I Met Your Mother” (2004-15)
One Could Have Never Expected That These Two Characters Would Hook Up

Lucifer Morningstar & Chloe Decker, “Lucifer” (2016-)
This Kiss Between the Lord of Hell & the Detective Took Fans by Surprise

Katherine "Kate" Beckett & Richard Castle, “Castle” (2009-16)
It Was a Long Time Coming, But Still Unexpected Considering How Their Partnership Began

Will Gardner & Alicia Florrick, “The Good Wife” (2009-16)
Took Place in a Potentially Very Public Place: His Office

Jonah Simms & Amelia "Amy" Sosa, “Superstore” (2015-21)
These Co-Workers Share a Kiss in the Middle of a Tornado

Among all the surprising and exciting kisses in recent memory, New Girl’s Nick and Jess’ first lip lock is a definite crowd pleaser. It’s full of shock and passion, but above all else, exceeds expectations. In the season 2 episode, “Cooler”, after spoiling his guys' night out, Jess promises to help Nick win over Holly. She’s a girl he met at the bar, played by model turned actress, Brooklyn Decker. After a drinking game goes awry, Jess and Nick find themselves being peer pressured into kissing by their pals, however. The time spent with their friends ends without the pair kissing, but then, what starts off as a normal “good-night” turns into a full on makeout session between the roomies. It’s a sweet and satisfying moment that still sweeps New Girl fans right off their feet years later.