Valentine’s Day 2023: 8 of the best TV couples throughout the years

Love is in the air today for Valentine’s Day! But, what’s great about television is that there’s always romance happening on our favorite shows. TV ships are what fuel so many of us fans and have us tuning in each week or binge-watching a favorite series!

Of course there’s so many great romances out there, we only narrowed it down to eight. From Captain Swan on Once Upon a Time, to going all the way back to Lucy and Ricky on I Love Lucy. We’ve had so many wonderful couples over the years that melt our hearts.

So to celebrate the day of love, we’ve gathered some of our favorite television couples of all time, in no particular order. Check them out below!

Best TV couples throughout the years

Emma Swan & Killian Jones/Captain Hook

Once Upon a Time, streaming on Disney+

Full disclosure, Captain Swan is my No. 1 OTP! Ever since Killian Jones, aka the devilishly handsome Captain Hook, entered the OUAT world, we’ve been hooked (pun intended!). Though he had more villainous intentions in season 2, we quickly see how he comes to care for the beautifully strong-willed Emma Swan. He gives up his revenge, his ship, and risks his life more than once. And she does the exact same. Going to the Underworld to save your True Love is no easy feat!

Together, they learn to allow love in after they’ve faced a world that hasn’t been kind to them. And while both are more than capable of being strong without the other, it’s a nice reminder to know you’ve got someone who will always be there for you. They’d go to the end of the world for each other, and we’d go to the end of the world for this wonderful ship!

Jamie & Claire

Outlander, streaming on STARZ

This ultimate power couple makes it onto every list, not just ours, and for good reason! Not even time, worlds, or any other circumstances will ever tear Jamie and Claire Fraser apart. These two mostly never have an off day, and they’ve each proven they can save each other. But it’s also those wonderfully beautiful quiet and passionate moments that tug on our heart strings and make us swoon! They’re connected in a way that transcends time. No wonder they’re the ultimate OTP!

Bill & Frank

The Last of Us, streaming on HBO Max

I don’t think any of us expected to feel so emotionally invested in one couple that lasted one episode on The Last of Us. But thanks to the brilliant acting of Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett, they brought a whole other meaning to love by portraying Bill and Frank. The two proved that time together is precious and you need to (and can) make the most of it. The certainly did just that. I don’t know anyone who watched episode 3 and didn’t get the waterworks going while seeing this beautiful couple’s story play out.

Leslie Knope & Ben Wyatt

Parks and Recreation, streaming on Peacock

Leslie and Ben were such a precious couple on Parks and Rec! From a forbidden workplace romance, to election campaigns, this political power couple was able to overcome it all! I loved that Ben always supported his other half, and never tried to take the spotlight off of her. And when the time came for Ben to run for a seat in the House of Representatives, Leslie had his back as well! They were the perfect definition of a couple supporting the other in the workplace, while finding ways to balance their personal lives as well.

Lucy & Ricky

I Love Lucy, streaming on Paramount+

What makes Lucy and Ricky so special is what they were portraying onscreen at the time the series aired. I Love Lucy was being broadcast in the ’50s and ’60s. Definitely not an easy time to be a woman. While some of the things Ricky said to his wife would definitely not be ok for a modern audience, we do have to remember the time this came out. But putting that aside, no matter how many schemes or hilarious stunts Lucy pulled, the couple always made up at the end. Ricky knows his wife, and he knows he can’t stop her. It was also a beautiful representation of a multi-ethnic couple, onscreen as well as off.

Raymond Holt & Kevin Cozner

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, streaming on Peacock

Where do we start with these two? They were perfectly made for each other, there’s no denying it! Their deadpan, no nonsense approaches is what made these two so endearing. Let’s not forget the magical moment with the corn crake too! While Holt is usually very serious, he can’t hide his feelings when it comes to Kevin. We’ve never seen the Captain smile so big as when the two exchanged vows once again in season 8. Holt proved to Kevin that his husband is the most important to him, and was willing to put their marriage ahead of his job. But Kevin knows how important the 99 is to Holt, and ended up helping on the case the day of their wedding. Aw!

Piper Halliwell & Leo Wyatt

Charmed, streaming on Peacock

Don’t get us wrong. The original Charmed series was definitely all about the Power of Three and the unbreakable bond between sisters. But the show also did well in the romance department. I’m a definite sucker for a forbidden romance, and that’s what Piper and Leo’s love was at the beginnings. Initially, they were not allowed to be together because she’s a witch and he a Whitelighter. Their wedding ceremony was absolutely beautiful and charming (before it was rudely interrupted). Throughout the years the couple had their ups and downs, but eventually they prove their love is more powerful than any obstacle.

Monica Geller & Chandler Bing

Friends, streaming on HBO Max

The Friends power couple that no one saw coming! Monica and Chandler are one of our favorite parts about the whole series, and we’re so glad they decided to go for it in London. What was supposed to just be a casual one-nighter turned into so much more. Eventually, Chandler was able to put his fear of commitment aside to show the woman he loves just how much he cares for her. And their story just became one of the best things about Friends. And we know they’ll be there for each other no matter what!