One main source of adversity among television fans is whether males and females can be friends without it becoming romantic.
The best relationships are often built on strong friendships, so if anything, the friends to lovers trope is one that should be encouraged.
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However, we put together some examples to prove that there are friendships out there that stay just that.
Check out our slideshow of 13 male and female friendships that are strictly platonic.
Prairie and Steve – The OA
There’s a large age difference here so romance wouldn’t have even been on the table anyway. But that doesn’t stop Praire and Steve’s platonic relationship from being a special and heartfelt part of The OA.
Jackson and Ramona – Fuller House
They may live in the same house, but these two are in no way related. But their living situation did create a brother/sister type of vibe between them that makes their bickering sibling-like and not at all flirtatious.
Jake and Rosa – Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Jake and Rosa have been friends for years without even an inkling of romance ever happening between them. These best bros single-handedly prove that platonic relationships are just as powerful as romantic ones.
Ava and Dylan – The Perfectionists
Dylan may not be interested in girls anyway, but that doesn’t change the fact that the relationship between Ava and Dylan is a platonic one, while still being one of the strongest points of the show.
Holmes and Watson – Elementary
Holmes and Watson were always meant to be partners and nothing more. They work well together, always have each other’s backs, and it doesn’t feel necessary to add romance to the mix.
Ron and Leslie – Parks and Recreation
The thought of these two ever getting together is still insane to this day. We don’t know a more platonic relationship than Ron and Leslie. Their interactions were hilarious, and their support for each other was one of the best parts of Parks and Rec.
Clarke and Monty – The 100
Clarke and Monty’s relationship is incredibly pure and underrated. If you’re looking for a relationship to prove that males and females can be just friends, stop looking at Bellarke and start looking at these two.
Alex and Meredith – Grey’s Anatomy
Alex and Meredith went from being begrudging fellow interns to each other’s person. Alex’s character development plays a large part in his friendship with Meredith, and we’re confident that these besties will stay that way for life.
Penelope and Schneider – One Day at a Time
Penelope and Schneider are best friends who rely heavily on each other. We wouldn’t be opposed to them taking the romantic route, but there’s been no indication so far of anything other than a strong friendship between them.
Helen and Max – New Amsterdam
This one is a bit of a toss-up because there are a lot of fans who would disagree about the nature of their relationship. But there’s no denying that it has been strictly platonic so far, as Max is married with a baby on the way.
Barry and Caitlin – The Flash
To be fair, The Flash did actually tease these two quite a bit in the first season of the show. But they seemed to go back on it as Barry married Iris and Caitlin has become one of his best friends.
Kat and Alex – The Bold Type
One of the best moments on The Bold Type was when Kat drunkenly kissed Alex and she said, “Nope, shouldn’t have done it.” There wasn’t even awkwardness to it as the two are such good friends and it was a comical scene above all else. It also proved that friendship is all there is between these two, and most likely, all there will ever be.
Carol and Daryl – The Walking Dead
We can’t even begin to imagine these two as anything other than best friends. They’re soulmates but not in the romantic sense of the word. Romance doesn’t need to be a factor for Carol and Daryl to love each other the way they do.
