Top 10 Underrated TV Couples Who Don't Get Enough Credit
#10: Regina Mills & Robin Hood
“Once Upon a Time” (2011-18)
True love plays a huge role in all fairytales – and there are plenty of fated couples to gush about on “Once Upon a Time.” But, in our humble opinion, the Evil Queen and the Noble Thief don’t get enough love. Regina started off as a hated character – she is the evil queen, after all. But as more of her backstory is revealed, the character quickly became beloved – more than partly due to her beautiful romance with Robin. The two may have disliked each other at first, but Regina quickly warmed to the thief, and Robin was never afraid of her darker impulses. They changed each other for the better, and we’re glad they got some version of a happy ending.
#9: Francis II of France & Mary, Queen of Scots
“Reign” (2013-17)
Sometimes, arranged marriages work out! Mary and Francis were childhood friends who were betrothed from a young age, and while things didn’t start out perfectly between the two, they eventually grew to love each other – choosing one another time and time again. There were certainly other relationships that got in the way of their love – Francis was with another woman at the beginning of the series, and Mary’s relationship with Bash certainly had its moments. And let’s not forget Francis’s mother’s attempts to have Mary killed – that’s never what you want. But, whatever was thrown at these two, they always came back to each other in the end.
#8: Shawn Hunter & Angela Moore
“Boy Meets World” (1993-2000)
When we think of our favorite sitcom couples, we think of Shawn and Angela as one of them. There weren’t too many interracial couples on television in the 1990s, but Shawn and Angela served as a great example of how to do it right. The two were never singled out by writers because of the interracial quality of their relationship, but were treated just like any other couple. They faced real issues – some borne out of their differences – but they were able to solve them by focusing on their similarities, and forging a real, deep connection. They quickly became a fan favorite, and are still beloved today.
#7: Van Montgomery & Cheyenne Hart
“Reba” (2001-07)
Let’s face it – getting pregnant as a senior in high school is a tough situation to navigate. But if you’re Cheyenne Hart, later Montgomery, at least you have your family to get you through it – and the perfect partner in Van. While their relationship was never easy, Van and Cheyenne always seemed to pull through the hardest parts together. Whether it was Cheyenne supporting Van when his football hopes went down the drain, or Van literally carrying Cheyenne across the graduation stage as she went into labor, they always had each other’s backs. Hey, being a newlywed and living with your mom (or mother-in-law, in Van’s case) can’t be easy, but these two made it seem fun – and we always appreciated their silliness.
#6: Xiomara "Xo" Gloriana Villanueva & Rogelio de la Vega
“Jane the Virgin” (2014-19)
It’s easy to get swept up in Jane’s relationship drama, but we can’t forget about Xo and Ro! These two prove building a relationship takes time – and one daughter, a miracle pregnancy, and a drunken Vegas wedding later, they finally made it work! Things definitely start off rocky – Xiomara is still hurt from how Rogelio reacted to her pregnancy, and Rogelio is hurt that Xiomara kept Jane a secret for all those years. And even when they start to rebuild that trust, the timing wasn’t always right. But, because this is a telenovela, they found their way to each other eventually with all the romance and dramatics we could ask for.
#5: Raymond Holt & Kevin Cozner
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-)
Jake and Amy may have the main love story on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” but that didn’t stop Captain Holt and Kevin from becoming our #RelationshipGoals. We didn’t get to meet Kevin until a little ways into the first season at Holt’s birthday party, and he certainly comes off a little cold – at first. When it’s revealed Kevin didn’t want the squad to come over to their house because he didn’t want anyone to belittle Holt for his sexuality, everything about their relationship clicks into place. It’s built on a sense of protectiveness and honesty – and throughout the rest of the series, it’s clear how much these two love each other. Plus, they have a dog named Cheddar – you can’t get cuter than that.
#4: Emily & Richard Gilmore
“Gilmore Girls” (2000-07)
Luke and Lorelai as well as all of Rory’s love interests took up the majority of our time on “Gilmore Girls.” And while we love side couples like Sookie and Jackson, there’s one couple we think deserves a little more love. Are Emily and Richard Gilmore rich, snobby, and more than a little uppity? Sure. But they were also one of the most consistent and equal partnerships on the show. That’s part of what made their temporary separation so hard to stomach – you can’t convince us they could just lose that sense of respect after all those years! But – luckily for us – they eventually reconciled, and even had a vow renewal, proving what we knew all along – they are perfect.
#3: Jason Mendoza & Janet
“The Good Place” (2016-20)
“The Good Place” broke a lot of storytelling conventions, and brought us a beautiful relationship in Eleanor and Chidi. But, they also changed the conventional love connection mold with Jason and Janet – two delightful weirdos, who despite their differences – and the fact that Janet is in fact not human – make it work. At first glance, it doesn’t seem like these two will have that much in common. While Janet is an all-knowing robot, Jason is … to be frank? Pretty dumb. We love him! But it must be said. Dumbness aside, what truly binds these two is their inherent niceness. And when you get married before you even start dating? Well, you know it’s real.
#2: Phoebe Buffay & Mike Hannigan
“Friends” (1994-2004)
From the moment he gave that rocking air piano performance in Central Perk, fans knew Mike was perfect for Phoebe. The resident oddball of the group, Phoebe was far and away one of the best parts of this 90s sitcom. And honestly? Her relationships were the most fun to watch too. Mike and Phoebe’s relationship felt fresh and exciting – a far cry from Ross and Rachel’s “we were on a break” drama. Mike accepted all of Phoebe’s strange quirks without question, he defended her against his stuck-up family, and was willing to get in a gallant – albeit strange – finger wagging battle for her heart. Ah, Princess Consuela Banana Hammock and Crap Bag – we’ll never forget thee.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
William "Bill" Adama & Laura Roslin, “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-09)
We Hope These 2 Get to Build Their Cabin One Day
Michael Scott & Holly Flax, “The Office” (2005-13)
The Pinnacle of Office Romance
Lucas Sinclair & Max Mayfield, “Stranger Things” (2016-)
Mike & Eleven Who?
Charlotte York & Harry Goldenblatt, “Sex and the City” (1998-2004)
If These 2 Can Make It Through This Wedding, They Can Make It Through Anything
Crosby Braverman & Jasmine Trussell , “Parenthood” (2010-15)
Sometimes a One-Night Stand Leads to Great Things
#1: Winston Bishop & Aly Nelson
“New Girl” (2011-18)
We love Nick and Jess, and we love Cece and Schmidt – but today, we’re celebrating that wacky duo, Winston and Aly. All of the roommates definitely have strong personalities, but Winston’s always been an odd duck. And while we LOVE his strange shenanigans, it hasn’t always been easy for him to find a girl who does too. Enter Aly – his partner at the LAPD. While she initially avoids a romance – they are partners, after all – they eventually start dating, get married and have children – five, to be exact! Aly accepts Winston in all his weird glory, and he obviously adores her – a match made in heaven.
