Friends becoming more than that is a favorite ship trope, both on screen and in real life.
Getting to see that growth between characters as they learn about each other, learn to trust each other, and then learn to romantically love each other is everything we could ever ask for from a fictional relationship.
27 Heartbreaking Looks of Romantic Longing
And while it may feel like sometimes our favorite shows don’t commit to the slow burn that a friends to lovers trope requires, there are so many quality friendships that turned into something more.
In fact, this slideshow is just a sample of the many connections that were built on platonic love first before it grew into more because of its potential.
What TV friendship that turned romantic over time was your absolute favorite?
Monty and Harper (The 100)
These two deserved more time together as friends and as lovers. We deserved more time to spend with them at every point of their lives together. But even if The 100 couldn’t give us that, it did give us a couple that was built off innocence and love for one another. Monty and Harper always looked out for each other and wanted nothing but peace, which in a way they were able to instill until their last days. And while we may not be lucky enough to have them on the show anymore, their memory lives on in the form of their son Jordan who embodies all the positivity that Monty and Harper created on The 100.
Quentin and Eliot (The Magicians)
This was a surprise because it was almost unbelievable that fans would get this lucky to see a full Quentin and Eliot story being played out after all this time. It seemed like the perfect next step after falling in love with their friendship, and the show delivered exactly that in some of the most well-written progression from platonic to romantic potential.
Cameron and Kirsten (Stitchers)
These two defined what friends with banter could progress to if given enough time, attention, and care. The writers behind Stitchers achieved what many shows dream of when they have a couple with so much potential. Allowing natural growth to do its thing, along with a show that acknowledged how valuable romance was meant that fans got a ship for the ages.
Lucy and Wyatt (Timeless)
The only regret with these two is that there wasn’t more time to explore them. But they got their happiness and even if we would have enjoyed seeing more of the walk it took to get there, these two can make any endgame story work.
Barry and Iris (The Flash)
Barry and Iris are really showing every other couple how to make it work. They went from friends to lovers to endgame and it never felt more obvious. These two were destined for a happy ever after, and they taught us plenty about a good connection with a friend along the way.
Dan and Blair (Gossip Girl)
Dan and Blair should have stayed together, their friendship was too great not to let that continue on. This might be an unpopular opinion but this ship stood out because of how friendship was prioritized before romance kicked in.
Mulder and Scully (The X-Files)
Technically getting to see their full progression is a testament of the fan you might be asking, but Mulder and Scully’s friendship was explored for quite some time. In fact, they might beat out all the other pairs on this list with friendship time alone.
Rebecca and Greg (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)
Rebecca and Greg relearning each other before dating was even on the table was such a fresh take on a romance that felt really crystal clear? These two taught us how to approach a relationship in a hopeful way and even if they aren’t together right now, there is always hope for a pair this cute.
Patrick and David (Schitt’s Creek)
How we got so lucky with a healthy and loving relationship like Patrick and David is beyond me. They scream progression in the easiest way and getting to see them grow to where they are now is so amazing.
Tyler and Caroline (The Vampire Diaries)
Tyler and Caroline might not have been right for one another but looking back on it, the way their friendship grew to Caroline helping Tyler shift to Tyler making a move was really sweet. It was that high school kind of love that felt like it could last forever, so being involved as a viewer was like watching a romantic comedy.
Fitz and Jemma (Agents of Shield)
This angsty pair has been and will continue to go through plenty of stuff but their love for one another is so pure and kind. This is a real iconic friendship to romance switch up that we were all really lucky to witness for ourselves.
Nick and Jess (New Girl)
It took them a while but they got there, and it was so fun watching Nick and Jess take that step together.
Jess and Rory (Gilmore Girls)
Some current TV romances could benefit from some friendship foundation lessons from Jess and Rory. TV would also benefit from Jess and Rory actually becoming endgame.
Barney and Robin (How I Met Your Mother)
In a perfectly written world, these two friends would find happiness in their eventual romance. But one unfortunate season finale happened, and yet it didn’t take away from how organic it felt for Barney and Robin to fall in love while they were becoming friends over the years.
Eleanor and Chidi (The Good Place)
It took Eleanor a second and Chidi more like a minute to piece together why they worked so well together, which may have felt like torture for them but turned into exciting storytelling for us. These two are adorable humans that prove why a solid foundation creates a solid romantic relationship.
Brittany and Santana (Glee)
These two went through quite a journey, but at their core, their friendship made it impossible not to fall in love with their love for one another over the years.
Clark and Lois (Smallville)
A bit of a blast from the past like Clark and Lois is a reminder of how nostalgic friends to lovers can sometimes feel to us.
