First Impressions
15 TV Meet-Cutes We Still Swoon Over
When it comes to romance on TV, nothing has us kicking our feet and giggling more than a pitch-perfect meet-cute.
Whether it’s set in a fantasy world, the past, or even the present, there’s truly no limit to the amount of incredibly memorable meet-cutes for some fan-favorite characters. Among some of our favorites are couples from shows like Bridgerton, Outlander, Fleabag, One Day, Schitt’s Creek, and many more. Scroll down for a closer peek at the pairs that still make us giddy thinking about their first encounters.
Kate & Anthony from Bridgerton
An impromptu horserace is how fiery loves Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) first crossed paths, sparking each others’ curiosity. Lighting the fuse for their friends-to-lovers dynamic, we’re still absolutely enamored by Anthony and Kate’s meet-cute, which remains a standout in the Bridgerton universe.
Tom & Jessie from Starstruck
A bathroom faux pas by everyday girl Jessie (Rose Matafeo) leads to a chance encounter with successful actor Tom (Nikesh Patel) on an eventful New Year’s Eve, igniting a long on-and-off relationship. When Jessie decides to use the men’s room instead of waiting in the long line for the women’s room, she meets Tom and her ignorance of his profession makes the moment that much funnier.
Gordon & Ashley from Colin From Accounts
Perhaps one of the wildest meet-cutes to date, Ashley (Harriet Dyer) is a medical student having a bad morning. But after a swig of booze, she walks down the street with some renewed energy, so much so that she decides to flash driver on the road, Gordon (Patrick Brammall), distracting him to the point of accidentally hitting a wandering dog. Brought together in an effort to save the pup, Ashley and Gordon’s decision to care for the pet they named Colin leads to a unique romance. One aspect that makes their meeting that much sweeter is the fact that Brammall and Dyer are married in real life.
Nan & Guy from The Buccaneers
When Nan’s (Kristine Frøseth) friend Conchita (Alisha Boe) loses her earring out a window moments before her wedding, the adventurous young woman climbs out of the window and down the side of the building to pluck it from the ground. While there, Nan bumps into Guy (Matthew Broome), a wedding guest who is immediately intrigued by the American’s outgoing nature. Their encounter sets the tone for their dynamic moving forward as they navigate a complicated web of feelings.
Fleabag & Hot Priest from Fleabag
Who could forget Season 2’s premiere episode which makes way for Andrew Scott‘s Hot Priest, who is invited to a wedding rehearsal dinner for Fleabag’s (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) Godmother (Olivia Colman) and father (Bill Paterson). Addressing the camera, Fleabag complains that no one has talked to her for nearly an hour until Hot Priest suddenly shifts focus to her. The dinner is unforgettable, and even more so when Fleabag informs the audience, “This is a love story.”
Blackbeard & Stede from Our Flag Means Death
When it comes to historical comedies, Max’s former swashbuckling series Our Flag Means Death may not have been fully and factually accurate, but it does make way for a truly beautiful love story between wannabe pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Blackbeard (Taika Waititi). Initially teased as a terrifying villain, Blackbeard’s arrival aboard the Revenge is one of a savior that Stede would never forget after he is nearly killed by another crew of pirates. Blackbeard steps in to rescue Stede, and the rest iultimately… history.
Claire & Jamie from Outlander
Time travel is what it all boils down to when examining the meet-cute between World War II nurse Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and 18th-century Highlander warrior Jamie (Sam Heughan). When she finds herself transported to the past, Claire quite literally bumps into Jamie not far from the standing stones of Craigh Na Dun, and their chemistry quickly sparks.
Emma & Dexter from One Day
Who could forget Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter’s (Leo Woodall) 1980s-set non-one-night stand in the premiere episode of Netflix‘s heartwrenching adaptation? Introducing themselves to each other at a graduation party, the pair spend the night chatting and head back to her flat to extend the fun, but ultimately go to sleep without taking things any further, seemingly cementing their friendship status. But as viewers know, Emma and Dex are destined to take things in a romantic direction after years of dancing around the possibility.
Patrick & David from Schitt's Creek
While David (Daniel Levy) and Patrick (Noah Reid) had a beautifully sweet romance on Schitt’s Creek, there was some initial tension upon their introduction to one another in Season 3. When David decides to open his own business, this means filling out the necessary paperwork, and to do so, he is pointed in the direction of Patrick, who isn’t shy about teasing the new business owner about his vision for the store he eventually opens.
Guildford & Jane from My Lady Jane
A meet-cute in the bar—or in this instance—the tavern, may not seem that unique, but the circumstances surrounding Guildford (Edward Bluemel) and Jane’s (Emily Bader) meet-cute are anything but conventional. The duo have immediate chemistry, but Guildford’s poor manners spark tense banter between the pair until they’re interrupted by Ethian-related chaos. Ethians are humans with the ability to shapeshift into animals. Their introduction is even more meaningful once you learn they are betrothed to one another, unbeknownst to them.
Joanne & Noah from Nobody Wants This
When Joanne (Kristen Bell) is invited to her friend’s party, she is told that there are a few potential suitors who will be in attendance, one of which is a rabbi. But when she was picturing the rabbi in her mind, Adam Brody‘s Noah was far from the picture she imagined, leading to a rather funny moment of confusion during their dinner table banter.
Leighton & Alicia from The Sex Lives of College Girls
Essex freshman Leighton (Reneé Rapp) is used to getting her way until she’s caught drinking underage on campus and forced to participate in volunteer hours at the Women’s Center, where she goes toe-to-toe with Alicia (Midori Francis), a strong-minded upperclassman. While the vibes may appear to be contentious, the ladies have a simmering chemistry that eventually comes to a boil.
Aziraphale & Crowley from Good Omens
In some ways, there are two meet-cutes for the angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (David Tennant). The first came before the beginning, as the latter (an angel at the time) got everything started and the former thought, “Look at you, you’re gorgeous,” wasn’t about the nebulas. Then, after Crowley fell, the two met in the Garden of Eden, as Adam and Eve left with Aziraphale’s sword for protection (and Crowley assured him he didn’t do the wrong thing). The angel covering the demon with his wing as it rained? Well, we all know what Crowley thinks is the perfect way to get humans to fall in love… — Meredith Jacobs
Greta & Carson from A League of Their Own
The romance between Carson (Abbi Jacobson) and Greta (D’Arcy Carden) was a homerun for Prime Video‘s short-lived series. Meeting on the streets while walking to Baker Field, Greta and pal Jo (Melanie Field) spot Carson following them as she’s unsure of where to go for baseball tryouts. The meet-cute is super sweet as Carson fumbles over her words, trying to connect with the women, which makes it a perfect contender for our list!
Maddie & Chimney from 9-1-1
These two have been through so much trauma that it sometimes overshadows all the joy. But there has been plenty of that for dispatcher Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and paramedic-firefighter Chimney (Kenneth Choi), and it all started with how they met. Maddie’s brother Buck (Oliver Stark) recruited his fellow 118ers Chimney and Eddie (Ryan Guzman) to help her move in, and there were immediate Madney sparks when he showed her the security system, and she found him cute (though Buck thought she was talking about Eddie). Bonus: Hewitt requested Maddie get together with Chimney instead of Eddie! — Meredith Jacobs
