Soap operas may have high adventure and family drama but it’s the romance that keeps viewers coming back for more.
Whether it be the angst of teen first love or the hard fought love affair that stands the test of time (and sometimes numerous break-ups) these are the love stories that kept us tuning in.
When we first posted our 21 Sexy Soap Super Couples, you made it clear there were romances we missed… so here is part 2. Check out our continuation with these 13 soap opera super couples you just can’t forget.
Roman and Marlena – Days of Our Lives
Roman Brady first showed up in Salem as a detective tasked with protecting Dr. Marlena Evans from the Salem Strangler, a serial killer who was targeting her. Despite sleeping on her floor, the chemistry between the two characters was off the charts. The two eventually fell in love, married, and had twins Samantha and Eric.
Unfortunately, when Roman went after Salem’s biggest, baddest crime boss, Stefano Dimera, he ended up falling off a cliff after being shot. His presumed death, eventual resurrection and an imposter kept these two apart in a way that still has fans frustrated decades later.
Sonny and Carly – General Hospital
Sonny Corinthos and Carly Corinthos-Jacks (née Benson and formerly Quartermaine, Corinthos, and Alcazar) take on-again/off-again to another level. Sure, they’ve gone through times of hating each other and having other successful (even super couple-status) pairings, but there has to be a reason these two keep finding their way back to each other. Currently planning their FIFTH marriage to one another, Sonny and Carly have two grown kids and years worth of history and chemistry that just won’t quit.
Julia and Mason – Santa Barbara
Julia Wainwright and Mason Capwell’s relationship began under the most unusual of circumstances. Although they had no romantic relationship at the time, Julia asked Mason to be the father of her child as she believed that any child they made would be healthy and intelligent and there would be no possibility of an emotional entanglement between them once the contract was signed. She couldn’t have been more wrong!
Despite continually denying their growing feelings for one another, eventually their love was impossible to deny. The two married (twice), had a daughter (Samantha) and as the show ended found out that Julia was pregnant with their second child. We like to believe they lived happily ever after.
Holden and Lily – As The World Turns
Although Lily Walsh originally looked down upon Holden Snyder, the new stable boy at the Walsh estate, her feelings eventually changed. Their romance was sidelined several times by more obstacles than we can possibly list including the possibility that they could have been related (thankfully not true!), marriages to other people, a bought of amnesia, a kidnapping, children in peril, etc. Fans never lost hope that these two were meant to be together and their faith was rewarded when Lily and Holden renewed their vows surrounded by family in 2006.
John and Marlena – Days of Our Lives
John Black took his name from a plaque off a wall. Dr. Marlena Evans was determined to help him remember his past. Then the unthinkable occurred and they both believed he was her presumed dead husband Roman, altered through plastic surgery at the hands of the evil Stefano Dimera. They lived believing they were husband and wife for years until the real Roman returned and it turned out John was simply Stefano’s pawn. Despite the epic complication, the two had a torrid tryst which produced daughter Belle and ended Marlena’s marriage to the real Roman.
Robin and Stone – General Hospital
Robin Scorpio and Stone Cates started as a modern day Romeo & Juliet story. Good girl, Robin fell madly in love with bad boy, Stone, who at the time worked for mobster Sonny and made Robin’s uncle Mac crazy. Robin and Stone’s romance blossomed and they became a must-see couple in Port Charles. That’s where the storybook romance stopped, and things got real.
When the time came for them to consummate their relationship, Stone confessed to Robin that he had been tested for HIV, but that the results were negative. They were careful, but just as in real life, it only takes one time. Stone never re-tested for HIV until it was too late, and the virus had developed into AIDS. Robin, now HIV positive, stood by Stone’s side as his condition worsened, and as he ultimately lost his battle with the disease.
The story was groundbreaking for daytime television, as no soap had ever told such a detailed and realistic story about AIDS, and it’s effects on family, friendships and relationships. 20 years later, fans still remember the tear-inducing and gut wrenching moment, right as Stone dies, when he looks into Robin’s eyes, and says, “I see you.”
Simon and Katie – As The World Turns
It all started with a drunken one-night-stand and a marriage of convenience. Not exactly the fairy tale beginning you’d expect but that didn’t stop their feelings for one another from growing into more. For a long time Simon was too stubborn to admit his love for Katie but after almost losing her more than once, the two had the marriage of their dreams, this time for love. Their romance may not have ended in happily ever after but that didn’t make it any less memorable.
Ridge and Brooke – The Bold and the Beautiful
Brooke Logan instantly fell in love with Ridge Forrester even though he was engaged to someone else. They’ve both married and had children with other people but fate continually pulls these two back together again and again and again.
Doug and Julie – Days of Our Lives
Although many people mistake General Hospital’s Luke and Laura as the soaps first super couple, they are mistaken. That title belongs to Doug and Julie Williams whose portrayers, Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth fell in love offscreen as well. The couple even made the cover of Time magazine in 1976. The show teased Doug and Julie’s on-again / off-again romance until it culminated in one of the most extravagant weddings imaginable for the time. Even local LA media were invited to attend the event. The best part, this super couple is still married (in real life and on the show) and visit Salem regularly.
Frisco and Felicia – General Hospital
Felicia Cummings first wandered into Port Charles disguised as a boy trying to steal back her grandmother’s Aztec ring. Once Frisco Jones figured out she was very much a girl, it didn’t take long for the sparks to fly. The two eventually married and had two children, much like the actors themselves in real life. Unfortunately both pairings ended in divorce but viewers were never in doubt that Felicia was the lady of Frisco’s heart.
Shawn and Belle – Days of Our Lives
It was only a matter of time before the children of two soap opera super couples became a super couple themselves. That’s exactly what happened between Shawn Douglass Brady (son of Hope and Bo) and Belle Black (daughter of John and Marlena). Although their young love story was interrupted by Jan Spears obsession with Shawn and Belle’s marriage to Philip Kiriakis, the two eventually married and sailed off into the sunset with daughter, Claire. But there’s good news ahead that should keep fans smiling. (SPOILER ALERT!) We hear this couple will be sailing back into Salem this fall!
Sky and Raven – The Edge of Night
When Raven Swift met Schuyler Whitney there was explosive chemistry that soon led to their wedding, until Raven realized her husband was actually imposter Jefferson Brown. The story led to an epic location shoot in the Swiss Alps where Jefferson was killed while trying to throw Raven off a cliff. Eventually Raven met the real Sky. The two immediately clashed and lost their fortune but were destined to fall in love, go on many adventures and live happily ever after.
Philip and Chloe – Days of Our Lives
Philip Kiriakis and Chloe Lane were the epitome of young love. He was the handsome, rich kid. She was the shy, socially awkward, former orphan. Their budding romance made their high school Last Blast Dance (minus the chicken blood!) memorable and the two eventually came together for a innocently sweet first kiss on the front porch. Unfortunately, these two would be torn apart and brought back together multiple times before eventually splitting up while living in Chicago off-screen.
