TV Romance
13 TV Couples That Need to Break Up Next Season
Look, we love romance, but not all TV relationships should be endgame. Here at Swooon, we’ve watched enough television to know which couples have the goods — and which ones should just call it quits.
Breakups are necessary for a variety of reasons. Two characters can be simply bad for each other. Or the relationship is just past its prime, and it’s time to end it. A split can also be an important plot device that ultimately brings the characters back together at some point.
From the long-suffering Teddy and Owen on Grey’s Anatomy to Yellowjackets‘ most aloof husband, Jeff, needing to divorce Jackie for his safety, Swooon has taken into account all the scenarios, and we’ve rounded up 13 couples that need to split up next season.
Do you agree with our list? Is there another TV couple you think should break up next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Teddy & Owen, Grey's Anatomy
The Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) relationship has been on life support for a while, and it’s past time to pull the plug. Most recently, in Grey’s Anatomy Season 21, Teddy pushed for an open relationship to stave off marital malaise with Dr. Cass Beckman (Sophia Bush) but instantly regretted it when Owen slept with a childhood friend he had feelings for in Nora (Floriana Lima). Even before that, though, their relationship has been marred by impulsiveness, lies, cheating, illegality, and more, to the point that they’re just plain exhausting to watch at this point. — Amanda Bell
Georgie & Mandy, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
Okay, okay, we know this couple is rather cute and we’re definitely rooting for them, but based on Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage as a show title, we can’t help but feel the stress of an impending breakup. The sooner Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) break it off, the sooner they’re likely to get back together again. And so, that’s where we’re coming from regarding Georgie and Mandy’s relationship status. — Meaghan Darwish
Bode & Audrey, Fire Country
Bode (Max Thieriot) and Audrey (Leven Rambin) were great as former inmates finding their footing in Cal Fire and a fling could’ve been fun. But even with Stephanie Arcila no longer a series regular in Season 3, leaving Bode and Gabriela’s future up in the air, there’s no reason for him to stay with Audrey. Things are just a bit too messy on both sides, and she’s possibly facing prison time again. — Meredith Jacobs
Watson & Laila, Watson
Listen, this is nothing against the pediatric oncologist, who seemed great when we met her in the Season 1 finale. But the chemistry between Watson (Morris Chestnut) and Mary (Rochelle Aytes) is just too strong, and now that they’ve started to be honest with each other (and she opened up about her miscarriage), it does feel like they’re finding their way back together, or that the possibility at least exists. Plus, with Sherlock Holmes (Robert Carlyle) now coming back into the picture, isn’t it the perfect time for Watson and Mary to get back together only for one of the sources of their problems to rear its head again. — Meredith Jacobs
Nancy & Jonathan, Stranger Things
Nancy and Jonathan (Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton) started out strong, but I feel they’ve lost their spark. The writers have been hinting at their separation since the beginning of Season 4 by putting them on different paths, so I hope they actually see them break up for good. That isn’t to say she should get back together with Steve (Joe Keery). Nancy should get some time to herself in Season 5, and if she makes it out alive, she deserves to move on with someone totally separate from Hawkins. — Morgan Pryor
Freddie & Valerie, Rivals
Really, most of the Rivals couples would fit this list because these relationships are all so messy. But Season 1 had us rooting for infidelity once we saw the sparks between Freddie (Danny Dyer) and Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson), and so at least one of their marriages has to end. It seems more likely to be Freddie’s to Valerie (Lisa McGrillis) in the immediate future, considering James’ (Oliver Chris) TV show. — Meredith Jacobs
Paul Baker & Issa, Adults
It’s not that I don’t like Issa and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen and Amita Rao). I do! They’re goofy and sweet, if a little surface level. Their connection simply doesn’t hold a candle to Paul Baker and Anton’s (Owen Thiele). Anton literally got Paul Baker glow sticks for his wedding. (IYKYK. It was peak romance.) Their chemistry is palpable, and because we love Issa’s character so much, we think Paul should own up to his feelings and let her move on sooner rather than later. — Morgan Pryor
Cassie & Nate, Euphoria
Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) technically broke up in the Season 2 finale, but as Maddy (Alexa Demie) warned her former friend, “This is just the beginning.”
Since Maddy used to date Nate, she knows exactly how easy it is to get sucked back in by him, and her comment at the end of Season 2 hints that things aren’t totally done between Nate and Cassie.
Those two were toxic from the get-go and it’s only bound to get worse if they give it another go. Please don’t put us through this! — Alyssa Norwin
Ellie & Yancy, Ransom Canyon
Yancy (Jack Schumacher) and Ellie (Marianly Tejada) started out hot and heavy on Ransom Canyon. From the very first moment these two crossed paths, you knew something was going to go down between them. But if you put the chemistry aside, Yancy’s lies are just too much of a red flag at this point. He proposed to Ellie only for his mysterious wife to show up at Ellie’s dance hall. Yancy’s drama is not worth Ellie’s time right now. Plus, I’m one of those rooting for Ellie and Kai (Justin Johnson Cortez) to get a second chance. Love triangle, anyone? — Avery Thompson
Brie & Mike, Virgin River
Look, Mike’s (Marco Grazzini) a good guy, and I want him to find happiness, but it’s not with Brie (Zibby Allen). We all know Brie’s endgame is with Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth). Mike will make someone very happy, but his relationship with Brie has no passion — and Brie wants that. His proposal at Mel and Jack’s wedding felt like a Hail Mary. He claims nothing gets past him, but he’s clearly missing the glaring sign that reads: “Brie is still in love with Brady and always will be!” Close the case on this romance, Mike. — Avery Thompson
Jess & Felix, Too Much
After her traumatic breakup with Zev (Michael Zegen), Jess (Megan Stalter) meets Felix (Will Sharpe) shortly after moving to London. Throughout the series, their relationship blooms but also escalates way too quickly. Too Much Season 1 takes place over the course of a few weeks, and in that time, Felix consistently downplays their relationship and how he feels about Jess, his friends treat her terribly, and he cheats on her after they have a fight. In the season finale, after they impulsively get married, he delivers a line, as a joke, but should still set off every red flag: “How long do you want to stay married?” Jess deserves so much better. — JayneLynn Sullivan
Matt & Heather, Daredevil: Born Again
Medically advising your boyfriend’s arch nemesis is one thing, but agreeing to work for big bad Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) as he implements martial law in New York City seems like the nail in the coffin of Heather’s (Margarita Levieva) and Matt’s (Charlie Cox) relationship on Daredevil: Born Again. Oh, and whispering your ex’s name as you awaken from being shot is also surely another nail in that lowering casket. While Heather’s actions insinuate that she and Matt were done by the end of Season 1, we’re looking for some closure when Season 2 arrives. — Meaghan Darwish
Shauna & Jeff, Yellowjackets
Honestly, Jeff’s (Warren Kole) proximity to Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) alone is a cause for concern. Given the karma that Shauna is long overdue for, Jeff has a huge target on his back. He’s so innocent in this whole mess and deserves so much better than half life he’s lived with Shauna all these years. Jeff, it’s time to process all the warning signs and get the heck out of dodge… before Shauna bites your ear off or something. — Avery Thompson
