Summary

• Opposites attract: TV shows often create compelling romances by pairing characters who are opposites, such as nerdy guy with popular girl or outgoing guy with shy girl.
• Growth and tension: Watching characters grow closer and navigate the ups and downs of a relationship keeps viewers hooked and invested in the future of the relationship.
• Genuine connections: Despite their differences, many couples in TV shows develop genuine connections and find love, showing that opposite personalities can create strong and lasting relationships.

Romance in TV shows can be compelling, as a pair of people orbit around one another before finally settling into a relationship, and this can be made even better when the individuals are opposites. Most TV shows, regardless of genre will include relationships that blossom and grow throughout the series run. Seeing the characters grow closer, and at times, falling apart makes them more real and engaging in a way that keeps viewers hooked and invested in the future of the relationship.

One common trope that is frequently employed to heighten the tension and "will they, won't they" element of budding romances on TV is the idea that opposites attract. Pairing up the nerdy guy, with the beautiful, popular girl, or the outgoing guy, with the shy and quiet girl. However a series makes two characters that are objectively opposite to one another fall in love, the journey is bound to be exciting, with some shows taking this trope to a whole different level.

10 Sheriff Jack Carter & Doctor Allison Blake

A Town Called Eureka

The series, A Town Called Eureka, featured the gruff U.S. Marshall, Jack Carter relocating to Eureka with his teenage daughter to get a fresh start after the tragic death of his wife. The town is full of quirky geniuses who are working on secret government projects, with Allison Blake being a prominent figure who heads up the operations. Carter and Blake initially butt heads, with Blake writing Carter off as a belligerent cop, and Carter viewing Blake as a stuck-up know-it-all. Eventually, the pair move past their differences and find a mutual attraction, despite their differences,

9 Alisha Daniels & Simon Bellamy

Misfits

Misfits is a show that follows a group of young offenders who develop superpowers that reflect parts of their personalities. Alisha is incredibly popular and outgoing, as well as someone who is very open sexually, and as a result, her power makes anyone who touches her desperately lust after her. Simon is a very quiet, shy boy who fades into the background, and he develops the power to turn invisible. The pair begin the series completely at odds, with Alisha nervous that Simon is potentially dangerous, but as the show progresses, the pair grows close and eventually falls in love.

8 Eleanor Shellstrop & Chidi Anagonye

The Good Place

She acted carelessly, often hurting others, unlike Chidi who was overly concerned about the morality of his actions.

Eleanor from The Good Place is a character who lived her life imperfectly. She made mistakes and often hurt or offended others with little regard for the consequences of her actions. Chidi is the complete opposite and someone who extensively worries and panics about how his actions will be perceived and if he is morally good. When the pair are placed together in the afterlife, they initially struggle to connect. But as the series goes on, they smooth out each other's rough edges and become better for it.

7 Niles Crane & Daphne Moon

Frasier

Like his brother, Niles Crane is obsessed with image and fitting in with the right people. Frasier is a satire that makes a statement on upper-middle-class society and the perception of being important. Niles is a man who attempts to put his best foot forward and takes considerable pride in his appearance, possessions, and achievements. When he falls head over heels in love with the down-to-earth humble housekeeper, Daphne Moon, he struggles to keep his composure. Niles and Daphne couldn't be more different, but they develop a connection and eventually marry as the series goes on.

6 Jimmy McGill & Kim Wexler

Better Call Saul

Their relationship is one of the best rollercoasters on TV.

Better Call Saul, like its predecessor, Breaking Bad, is a show that masterfully portrays complicated relationships between very human, flawed characters that feel incredibly genuine. However, the most important on-screen relationship in this series is between Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler, who often appear to be opposed to each other. Where Kim is a naturally gifted lawyer who strives to play by the rules, Jimmy is a hard-working, fast-talking con man who lives in shades of gray. Ultimately, the pair do end up separating, but their relationship is one of the best rollercoasters on TV.

5 Ola Nyman & Lily Iglehart

Sex Education

Ola first befriends and begins the central character, Otis Milburn in Sex Education season 1, but as the show progresses, the gap between them widens and Ola develops romantic feelings for her friend Lily. Where Ola is outgoing, loud, self-centered, and strong-willed, Lily doubts herself, is quiet, and does things that are out of her comfort zone for fear of falling behind, or not being accepted. When the two get together, they have their differences, and things aren't always perfect, but their connection is intense and heartwarming when they get things right.

4 Jim Halpert & Pam Beesly

The Office

The Office features one of the sweetest opposites attract stories of any show with Jim and Pam. Pam finds herself dissatisfied with the way Roy, her fiancee, doesn't prioritize her, but her quiet nature and lack of self-confidence see her simply accepting her lot. Jim is a very different story, as someone who has typical nerves about approaching a girl he is attracted to, but he is also brimming with confidence, funny, and chasing the things he wants. The relationship takes time to get to the right place, but when Jim and Pam finally find each other, it's for good.

3 Cameron Tucker & Mitchell Pritchett

Modern Family

Cam and Mitchell are already in a relationship at the beginning of Modern Family, but their relationship stands out as one of the best opposites attract stories in any series. Cam is loud, a showman, and incredibly confident and self-assured. However, his husband, Mitchell is a much quieter, more reserved man who still struggles to accept aspects of himself. The pair are stubborn in their personalities, rarely shifting from their core characteristics for long, but together, they make a strong, well-balanced couple capable of great things, from raising their daughter Lily, to hosting a blowout birthday bash.

2 Amy Santiago & Jake Peralta

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Taking the runner-up spot, which wouldn't sit well with the extremely competitive Santiago and Peralta, is Brooklyn Nine-Nine's "it couple." Amy is highly organized, and intelligent, and works hard to get everything she has in life. Jake is the opposite in every way, aside from his commitment to advancing his career as a detective. There is always a spark between the two and when it finally turns into a relationship, Amy and Jake are perfect for each other helping to lift and motivate their partners to become even better.

1 Monica Geller & Chandler Bing

Friends

This potent combination of opposite personalities once again creates a solid foundation for a solid couple who can go the distance.

Monica and Chandler are one of the all-time greatest TV couples, easily overtaking Ross and Rachel as a more stable and serious couple on Friends. In addition to their status as TV couple royalty, the pair have a great arc to getting together, initially starting as friends who never acted on their attraction for each other. Despite living across the hall, Chandler's laid-back attitude, and comical nature made it appear that the divide between him and Monica was just too much. Monica is the opposite, with a more serious temperament, and chronic OCD.

However, even with their differences, the couple found their way to each other and became the very best couple to come out of the opposites attract trope. They quickly become the couple that others in the group go to for advice, and while they take time to find their natural rhythm, the chemistry and love they share are abundant. This potent combination of opposite personalities once again creates a solid foundation for a solid couple who can go the distance.