Top 10 TV Couples Fans Shipped But Never Happened

“Gilmore Girls” (2000-07)
No matter how little screen time characters have together, fans will still notice the potential for a new couple. In the “Gilmore Girls” season 2 episode “There’s the Rub,” Rory hung out with two people who don’t usually interact — rival-turned-friend Paris Geller, and love interest Jess Mariano. Paris and Jess’ brief discussion of literature showed how well they got along and matched each other’s intellect. However, others believe they were too different, and that a romantic relationship wouldn’t last. Paris wouldn’t like Jess’ lack of ambition and he wouldn’t be down with her neurosis and snobbish tendencies. Still, many fans agree that not developing a real friendship was a missed opportunity for an interesting duo.

“The Walking Dead” franchise (2010-)
Fans of “The Walking Dead” know that characters can find love while surviving the zombie apocalypse, so shipping Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier wasn’t far-fetched. Although both appeared in the show’s first season, the pair’s defining moment of kinship happened in the second. Amid a search for Carol’s daughter Sophia, Daryl brought her a Cherokee Rose. Neither one was the best at expressing emotions, but over the next decade, fans watched as the two let themselves be vulnerable with each other and continued to grow closer as friends. While we saw more of their unbreakable bond in the Daryl Dixon spin-off, showrunner David Zabel had no plans to turn their relationship romantic. Sorry, Caryl-shippers.

“Community” (2009-15)
Throughout its six-season run, Dan Harmon’s “Community” saw different characters go through crushes, flings, and actual relationships. Annie Edison and Jeff Winger, two members of the core study group, shared an attraction early on and locked lips twice in season one alone. However, the age gap was a major factor in them not dating. When they first met, Jeff was in his 30s, and Annie wasn’t even 20. While they each explored other relationships, their chemistry remained strong, leading to more intimate moments. In the season 6 finale, they still didn’t end up together because they were on separate paths. They did sneak in one more kiss, though. Who knows, if we get a “Community” movie, maybe they’ll finally make it official.

“What We Do in the Shadows” (2019-24)
Many fans of FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows,” were rooting for dutiful human familiar-turned-bodyguard Guillermo de la Cruz to get together with his master, Nandor the Relentless. The two had an undeniable affection for one another, even though the centuries-old vampire hated to admit it. For years, the show teased a romance, like when Nandor wished for his new bride Marwa to like everything he likes, and she was very loving toward Guillermo. Still, the series writers didn’t follow through, and in the end, “Nandermo” remained platonic. However, we did get a chaste kiss in an alternate ending. At least they’ll be friends, and if Nandor gets his way, they’ll also be partners in crime-fighting!

“Friends” (1994-2004)
When most people think of “Friends,” they’re likely reminded of the long-running will-they-won’t-they relationship between Ross and Rachel. There’s also Monica and Chandler, an unexpected but ultimate sweet pairing that proved opposites attract. But diehard “Friends” fans remember the many times one coupling was teased yet never materialized. Other than being the only two not dating in the friend group, Phoebe and Joey are also the quirkiest among them. They are both very flirtatious and frequently match each other’s crazy. The two kissed on more than one occasion, though it was almost always treated as something casual. But no matter how kismet they seemed to be, fans never got the power couple they hoped for.

“The 100”[e] (2014-20)
Like others on this list, Clarke Griffin and Bellamy Blake began as adversaries before forming a co-partnership. Throughout several separations and reunions on the show, they gradually became close friends. Co-stars Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley seemingly infused some romance into their performances, being told their characters were headed that way. However, the team ultimately went in a different direction. Many fans, especially “Bellarke” shippers, were disappointed with the way things ended between them. Not only do they not end up together, Clarke kills Bellamy after he becomes one of the Disciples. In 2019 though, real life lovebirds Taylor and Morley tied the knot off-screen, creating their own happy ending.

“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
In author L. J. Smith’s novels, vampire Damon and witch Bonnie were an item (though they didn’t end up together). However, in the CW show, the characters were never together, and actually hated each other at first. Their eventual friendship developed since they were often in forced proximity because of Elena Gilbert. In season 6, Bonnie and Damon leaned on each other while trapped in a Prison World, going from enemies to platonic soulmates. Many felt the two had great chemistry, and their scenes had palpable tension. But creatives behind the scenes clearly didn’t want that for the characters. The overall treatment of Bonnie is a point of contention in the fandom, and her story ending without Damon arguably made it all the worse.

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
“Game of Thrones” isn’t a show one watches for lighthearted moments. But Tormund Giantsbane’s obvious crush on Brienne of Tarth was a pleasant surprise. He sees her when she arrives at Castle Black, and is smitten. Tormund’s unrequited love is played for laughs, but many saw him as a much better match for Brienne than Jaime Lannister. Unlike others, he found her appearance just as beautiful as her physical strength and admired her more masculine qualities. However, that didn’t mean Brienne had to feel the same way. In the end, we appreciate that he accepted the heartbreak. Sadly, “Tarthbane” just wasn’t meant to be.

“Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)
After her debut in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” Xena the Warrior Princess became the title character of her own show. In the first episode, she meets Gabrielle, aka the Battling Bard of Potidaea, who becomes her traveling companion. Media in the 1990s wasn’t exactly known for queer representation, so any semblance of a romance between Xena and Gabrielle was just subtext. However, fans were clued into what the writers were seemingly going for and quickly started shipping the two women. Xena and Gabrielle were never an official couple on screen, but at least folks got some satisfaction in 2019’s “Xena: Warrior Princess” comic run.

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

“Bori” Shippers Wanted These 2 to be A LOT More Than BFFs

The Series’ Ambiguous Ending Leaves the Close Friends’ Future a Mystery

Bly Manor’s Punny Chef & Kind Housekeeper Deserved a Happy Ending

These Childhood Besties Had a Brother-Sister Bond but That Didn’t Stop the Shippers

There Was No Happily Ever After for “Sleeping Warrior”

“Supernatural” (2005-20)
For 15 seasons, “Supernatural” fans watched demon-hunting brothers Sam and Dean Winchester go up against one creature after another. After Dean got dragged to hell, he was rescued by an angel named Castiel, whom he officially met in season 4. Fans took to their funny banter and conflicting personalities, seeing more than a bromance brewing. Dean and Cas went through many ups, downs, deaths, and resurrections, developing a close friendship in the process. In season 15, Cas finally confessed his feelings before sacrificing himself. While Dean didn’t explicitly reciprocate, the loss broke him. Destiel shippers got some validation, but many were hoping for more.


Did you ship any of these pairings? Let us know in the comments below.

[b]pelt-yay https://youtu.be/Jn9wfpDHu7M?si=BKEdVnIIrjBAFWxC&t=60
ZAY-bull (rhymes with "cable") https://youtu.be/5A41uJvDDKs?si=rtoSGDUKlvc8RXq1&t=34
[c]ghee-YARE-moh della CRUISE https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/ba2defde-5a23-414b-ba6a-1c9563e9b60c
NAN-dore https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/6ad98a08-eb97-47ba-8d55-03e50fc759c7
MAR-wuh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/7f9142bf-2ffa-476d-b20b-e68b848eee8b
[d]boo-FAY https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/ff3da076-9942-4528-a3e0-02577e544998
tribby-YAW-nee https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/a7a40593-cb77-4135-b0f4-869d38e9a819
[e]read as "the hundred"
[f]DAY-min SALVA-tore https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/c83ae280-be54-4e86-8c64-8f10a8291b55
uh-LAY-nuh GHILL-burt https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/0ea83c5f-2240-49da-a604-dbb25845015c
[g]bree-ENN of tarth https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/e8e21ead-3927-4092-be02-ca0a2f46c3a6
TORE-mund GIANTS-bane https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/7839a9e8-ff68-4013-aa3d-39d6bd1872fd
JAY-mee LANNISS-tur https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/77c63721-a6fa-4134-b055-da0c78238f08
[h]ZEE-nuh https://youtu.be/t5U01mZxAag?si=ZoWECLIr7X46eQzE&t=169
gab-bree-ell https://youtu.be/y4FWyeKt6lc?si=jOVOmV_Gzvdz6FoK
poh-tid-DEE-uh / pota-DEE-uh @ 00:19 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6pch5f
[i]torey VAY-guh https://youtu.be/koBtGnImdsY?si=TyGpnEUBhQ0Nycvu&t=240
[j]SWARR-rez https://youtu.be/tnAWeIdIDyk?si=noye0PfSGsFxXOB7&t=28
meed https://youtu.be/4myzjT7PX1I?si=5_tLYlF8-0ItSuZt&t=19
[k]hannah gross https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/b316fe7a-84bb-40a4-84f4-154ccb46dae5
owen SHAR-muh https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/2bb9d688-d6a0-4c88-afcb-65c4fa605f40
[l]cass-teel-ELL https://www.yarn.co/yarn-clip/a489a183-7ab0-4908-b8f9-377bb5659c14