TV Romance
Our 12 Favorite TV Workplace Romances, Ranked
When Mark Scout’s (Adam Scott) wife passes away in Severance, he looks for an escape. Desperate, he undergoes an operation that erases his memories of life outside the office. In other words, he literally loses himself in his work (the work is mysterious and important). But if the series can teach us anything, it’s that love conquers all — even brain-implanted microchips.
Innie Mark soon falls for Lumon’s new hire, Helly R. (Britt Lower), much to the chagrin of their coworkers. While their relationship takes a darker turn in Season 2, there’s a reason why TV shows — especially sitcoms — often fixate on these affectionate workplace relationships: they make for compelling stories!
Scroll down for our list of the best television relationships that formed in the workplace! (Warning: MAJOR spoilers ahead.)
12. Mark and Helly, Severance
They found love in a hopeless place — Lumon Industries.
Despite the grim situation that innies Mark S. and Helly R. found themselves in at Macrodata Refinement, they found something in one another. For much of Season 1, they were each other’s rocks, and fans eagerly hoped these two lovebirds would find a happy ending.
But the season’s twist — Mark’s wife, Gemma Casey (Dichen Lachman), was alive and had undergone the severance procedure — along with the revelation that Helly’s outie, Helena Eagan, was playing double agent, complicated things. Their romance may not be as innocent as it once seemed, but at least audiences will always have that hallway kiss.
Severance, Season 2, Fridays, Apple TV+
11. Tim and Lucy, The Rookie
“Chenford” — the union between The Rookie‘s Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) — has been the beating heart of the ABC procedural. While the series offers plenty of gripping action and Nathan Fillion charm, it’s the Tim and Lucy pairing that keeps viewers coming back.
Where the writers will take “Chenford” next remains unpredictable, especially after breaking them up so soon after they got together. However, their reluctance to fully admit their feelings adds an intriguing layer to their relationship, which seems to be on the rebound.
The Rookie, Tuesdays, 10/9c, ABC, Next-Day Streaming on Hulu
10. Bobby and Athena, 9-1-1
The first responders of 9-1-1 have seen it all, from hijacked cruise ships to a “bee-nado,” but through it all, fire captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) and field sergeant Athena Grant-Nash (Angela Bassett) find strength in each other. Since Season 1, back when they were just colleagues, they’ve stood by each other in their shared mission for justice and protecting the people of Los Angeles.
Despite losing their long-term home in Season 7, they’ve found one in each other.
9-1-1, Season 8 Midseason Premiere, Thursday, March 6, ABC, Next-Day Streaming on Hulu
9. Derek and Meredith, Grey's Anatomy
Ben Warren (Jason George) and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and April Kepner (Sarah Drew), Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) and Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) — Grey’s Anatomy has too many couples to count, each with its own loyal fan base. But if one pairing truly encapsulates the show, it’s Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).
Unlike the typical trajectory of network co-workers evolving into devoted lovers, “MerDer” took a far messier route. They started casually, only for Meredith to discover that “McDreamy” was secretly married. That should’ve been the end of things, but what followed was a whirlwind of breakups, reconciliations, and eventually marriage.
Though their love story ended in tragedy with Derek’s death in Season 11, their tumultuous relationship kept fans hooked for years. Whether they were on-again or off-again, few TV duos have captivated audiences for as long as they did.
Grey’s Anatomy, All Seasons Streaming on Hulu
8. Jonah and Amy, Superstore
George Bailey (James Stewart) set an impossibly high bar for romantics when he vowed to lasso down the moon to Earth if his lover asked in 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life.
Fast-forward nearly 70 years, and Jonah Simms (Ben Feldman) found a more practical approach in the Superstore pilot: plastering Cloud 9’s ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars to dazzle Amy Sosa (America Ferrera). From there, it was written in said plastic stars that the two would end up together.
Though they were both stuck in seemingly dead-end jobs, there was something remarkable about the way they brought out the best in each other and created moments of unexpected magic.
Superstore, All Seasons Streaming on Hulu
7. Jake and Amy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
No one watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine could’ve predicted Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) would become a couple. At first, the idea of them being together was treated as a punchline. One is an immature wunderkind who stumbles into success at every turn, while the other is uptight and a strict rule-follower. The two were natural rivals. It would’ve taken a detective to figure out how they’d end up together.
It’s only as they continue working together and spending more time with each other that they realized they’re more alike than they thought. Both crave attention, and they give that to one another. One teaches the other to embrace spontaneity, while the other demonstrates the importance of structure. It’s beautiful, really.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Streaming on Netflix and Hulu
6. Gregory and Janine, Abbott Elementary
When Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) and Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) first met in the pilot episode of Abbott Elementary, Janine mistook Gregory for an intruder and quickly called for security. If anything, it was a fitting start to their unsteady relationship.
After clearing up the misunderstanding, the two quickly bonded over their passion for teaching — a commitment not shared by all their colleagues. While their story is still unfolding, after a series of short-lasting partners for each of them, they finally put a label on their relationship at the start of Season 4. It’s impossible to tell if they’re endgame, but it’s no surprise that, as the two most level-headed people in the cast, they would at least give it a shot.
Abbott Elementary, Wednesdays, 8:30/7:30c, ABC, Next-Day Streaming on Hulu
5. Ben and Leslie, Parks and Recreation
If you were ever skeptical of the old adage “opposites attract,” look no further than Parks and Recreation‘s Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and Ben Wyatt (Scott).
Both ambitious government officials, Leslie is the far more optimistic and personable of the two, while Ben is more realistic and, at times, a bit of a wet blanket. Although their roles as deputy director and auditor put them at odds, creating workplace tension, it unexpectedly sparked a romance outside of work.
Their intense competitiveness drives them to push each other toward success, with the series finale going as far to suggest that one of them became president, effectively making the other first lady or first gentleman. It’s left open-ended, but either way, they’re the ultimate power couple.
Parks and Recreation, All Seasons Streaming on Peacock
4. Irving and Burt, Severance
This pick might seem bold, and what follows may sound like hyperbole, but Irving Bailiff (John Turturro) and Burt Goodman (Christopher Walken) are poised to embark on one of the greatest love stories ever told. Seriously.
After undergoing the titular procedure in Severance, which splits the patient’s mind into two, the older men found new purpose in their jobs. However, when doubts started to creep in about their employer, Lumon Industries, they found comfort in each other. While Irving’s actions during the Macrodat Uprising in Season 1 led to the discovery that Burt may have a potential partner on the outside, squashing any hopes of a relationship, Burt’s actions throughout Season 2 — spying on Irving and later asking him to dinner — hinted that there may still be some sparks.
Their story is far from over, but it looks like the writers have an agonizing, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-esque dynamic planned for them. How fun.
Severance, Season 2, Fridays, Apple TV+
3. Bob and Linda, Bob's Burgers
Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda Belcher (John Roberts) are clearly the outliers on this list. Not only are they the only animated couple, but they’re also the only ones who remain married throughout the entire series. Aside from a few flashbacks, the audience only sees them after they’ve settled with three kids, Louise (Kristen Schaal), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Tina (Dan Mintz), and the jobs and home they’ll likely have for the rest of their lives. You might expect their dynamic to become stagnant or for the spark to fade, given they spend nearly every waking minute together, yet it never does.
Bob is level-headed and anxious; Linda is compulsive and confident. Together, the two keep each other on each other’s toes. They say oil and water don’t mix, but the Bob’s Burgers employees have found the recipe.
Bob’s Burgers, All Seasons Streaming on Hulu
2. Mulder and Scully, The X-Files
Sometimes, you come across two co-workers who get along a little too well. Your mind might start wandering to other conclusions, but more often than not, it’s just a result of boredom or overthinking. In the case of Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), you weren’t mistaken.
Throughout The X-Files, the two investigators traded snarky comments and stolen glances while exploring the unusual. Work always came first, but after seven seasons, the relationship finally evolved from platonic to romantic. While this shift divided the fan base, the fact that they managed to remain just colleagues for so long speaks to the restraint of the show’s writers.
The X-Files, All Seasons Streaming on Hulu
1. Jim and Pam, The Office
Many network shows have attempted the slow-burn romance, but none have, and likely will, replicate the success of Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer). While some previous entries on this list, like Gregory and Janine or Ben and Leslie, have all come close, none quite measure up to this iconic Scranton duo.
What began as a one-sided crush, then a one-sided crush that swung the other way, eventually settled into a healthy relationship. Audiences witnessed all the awkward, painful moments of yearning that made this relationship’s evolution feel truly real. After all, to have a show-stopping wedding in Niagara Falls, you first need a mistimed drunken kiss in a Chili’s.
Even The Office itself, tried it’s hand at other relationships — Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Angela (Angela Kinsey), Michael (Steve Carrell) and Holly (Amy Ryan), Andy (Ed Helms) and Erin (Ellie Kemper) — but none could match the gold standard set by Jim and Pam once first they officially got together in Season 4.
The Office, Streaming on Peacock and Fubo
