Love Triangles
Ranking 11 of TV’s Hottest Throuples
From Challengers to Bridgerton to ODY3 hooking up on Doctor Odyssey, 2024 is the year of the throuple. I’ve noted this before, but two guys and a girl with sexual tension getting into shenanigans is always a great time. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid paved the way for Y tu mamá también, which paved the way for The Road to El Dorado, which paved the way for Challengers.
Last week’s Doctor Odyssey featured the throuple seen round the world, and while ODY3 is on the rocks this week, we’re still rooting for Phillipa Soo, Joshua Jackson, and Sean Teale. They’re not the only throuple we’ve cheered for on television (oh, what could have been between Ted Lasso‘s Roy, Jamie, and Keeley…)
Below, we ranked some of our favorite TV throuples. Did we miss any? Let us know your favorite in the comments.
11. Sarah, Len & Lila Transparent
Transparent explored every variety of relationship during its four-season run. Amy Landecker‘s Sarah and her husband Len, played by Rob Huebel, enter into a polyamorous relationship with their children’s teacher Lila (Alia Shawkat). By the finale, Sarah decides to be with just Len.
10. Tom, Lucy & Annie in Easy
Netflix’s Easy sees new parents (Malin Akerman and Orlando Bloom) explore a threesome with Kate Micucci‘s Annie (the second entry on this list of parents inviting their kid’s teacher into the relationship). Unfortunately, their baby can’t stop crying and interrupting them.
9. The Countess, Rudolph & Natacha in American Horror Story: Hotel
Lady Gaga‘s The Countess meets Hollywood icon Rudolph Valentino (Finn Wittrock) and his wife Natacha (Alexandra Daddario) in 1925. She loves (and lusts for) them so much she brings them back to life in the present day!
8. Tim, Lyla & Jason in Friday Night Lights
Texas forever. Okay, we know this one is a little bit of a stretch, but we are talking specifically about the episodes in Season 2 in which Jason (Scott Porter) goes to Mexico to undergo experimental treatment to cure his paralysis and Tim (Taylor Kitsch) and Lyla (Minka Kelly) go after him. Lyla kisses both boys and then says, “I gotta go pray.” Tim tells Jason he loves him. Their relationship(s) are as complex and fascinating as any on this list.
7. Audrey, Aki & Max in Gossip Girl
“It’s not a throuple, okay? It’s a real relationship. It’s based on the fact that all three sides of a triangle are equal,” Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind) explains in the sequel series. It’s just Audrey and Aki (Evan Mock) at first, and then their childhood friend Max (Thomas Doherty) joins the party. Though they break up before the show was canceled, we believe they could have been endgame. Justice for the triad!
6. Benedict, Tilley & Paul in Bridgerton
In Bridgerton Season 3, Benedict (Luke Thompson) begins seeing Tilley, a wealthy widow played by Hannah New. She opens up a whole new world to him when she introduces him to Paul (Lucas Aurelio). The three begin sleeping together, confirming many fans’ hopes that Benedict is queer. Thank you, Tilley!
5. Avery, Max & Tristan in Doctor Odyssey
Oh, ODY3. The new ABC series hinted at throuple potential almost immediately, with Tristan (Teale) telling his new boss Max (Jackson) that he’s in love with Avery (Soo). Seconds later, Max and Avery start making out. The three have a steamy hookup in Episode 6, but Tristan and Max begin to express hesitation and decide it would remain a one-time thing despite Avery trying to convince both of them otherwise. Ryan Murphy’s latest curveball to ODY3? Avery might be pregnant?! We’re only midway through Season 1, so there’s still plenty of time for these three sexy medical professionals to work it out. Fingers crossed!
4. Jack, Emma & Izzy in You Me Her
You Me Her (starring Rachel Blanchard, Greg Poehler, and Priscilla Faia) revolves around a triad relationship. It begins with a couple hiring a sex worker to add some spark to their sex life, but they quickly fall in love and navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, how it impacts their other relationships, parenthood, and more.
3. April, her boyfriend Derek & Derek's boyfriend Ben in Parks and Recreation
It’s not that complicated!
2. Max, Anne & Jack and James, Thomas, & Miranda in Black Sails
Black Sails features not one but two throuples. Max (Jessica Parker Kennedy), Anne (Clara Paget), and Jack (Toby Schmitz) are together through Season 2, and Captain James Flint (Toby Stephens) i forced to leave England after his relationship with Miranda Barlow (Louise Barnes) and her husband Thomas Hamilton (Rupert Penry-Jones) is exposed. Double throuple earns second place on our list.
1. Betty, Veronica, Jughead & Archie on 'Riverdale'
We’re cheating a little with a foursome in the number one spot, but Riverdale went there, and we simply have to honor that. Who wasn’t delighted when the series finale revealed that the four main characters, who’d spent the series swapping partners, were in a quad? BugVarchie forever!
