Television shows don’t work without enemies and rivalries. There has to be conflicts and drama and we all know there’s nothing better than watching two foes square off against one another!
But sometimes a rivalry that was meant to carry on for years is shifted when the characters display so much chemistry that the writers have no choice but to pair them as buddies.
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Some of these friendships are genuine and beautiful, while others may still be prickly and rough around the edges, but they’re a friendship nonetheless.
Here we take a look at some of the best rivalries that slowly (or quickly) bloomed into memorable friendships!
Dan & Blair on Gossip Girl
Dan and Blair started off as fierce adversaries and carried that rivalry up until the later seasons of Gossip Girl when their relationship softened and love eventually grew. Whether you were a Dair shipper or not, you can’t deny the friendship between the two had its fair share of great moments.
Zack & Slater on Saved By The Bell
When AC Slater came to town and set his sights on Kelly, he immediately became Zack Morris’s biggest rival. But the bromance between the two just couldn’t be denied and by the end of the series, Preppy and AC were arguably closer than Zack and his childhood best friend, Screech.
Cheryl & Veronica on Riverdale
Complicated doesn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to these two. Cheryl and Veronica may seem destinied to be rivals, but Veronica has proven that when Cheryl needs a friend, she will be there.
Jim & Dwight on The Office
The Office gave us many treats over the years, but none better than the epic pranks between rivals Jim and Dwight. These two really went at it at times, but who can forget the time Jim sat with Dwight in the stairwell, to show him support in his time of need. It still makes me smile!
Buck & Eddie on 9-1-1
Buck was immediately intimidated by the handsome newcomer to station 118, but once he realized Eddie was a really nice guy and someone to admire not rival, the two became fast friends. Their budding bromance has been one of the best parts of 9-1-1 Season 2.
Bonnie & Damon on The Vampire Diaries
Bonnie and Damon were bitter enemies from the very beginning and it didn’t seem like they would ever be more than that. But then they were trapped in the Prison World of 1994 and Bamon was offcially formed. Oh how I miss that banter!
Alex & Meredith on Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy has been on for so long now, it’s hard to remember a time when Alex and Meredith weren’t the definition of best friend goals. But there was once a time when they weren’t nearly as close, vying for coveted spots and annoying one another. One of the best things this show has done over the years is cultivate their relationship and make it one of the cornerstones of the later parts of the series.
Lucas & Nathan on One Tree Hill
The Scott brothers went through many ups and downs over the years and in the early days they allowed their rivalry to consume them. Eventually their brotherly bond won out and the two would continue to look out for one another throughout the series long run.
Jack & Ryan on Station 19
Jack and Ryan were destined to be rivals as they battled for Andy’s heart and continously butted heads. But with neither involved with Andy anymore and a deeper respect forming, is it possible these two could become real friends? Time will tell!
Brooke & Haley on One Tree Hill
Brooke and Haley didn’t start off friends, but they sure did end that way! It all started that night Brooke renamed Haley and the rest, as they say, is history!
Max & Helen on New Amsterdam
The first few meetings between the new Medical Director and the Head of Oncology were tense, to put it midly. Helen wasn’t in the hospital nearly enough and Max just wasn’t going to let that slide. However, an unexpected diagnosis has continued to bring them closer and closer and their relationship is slowly becoming one of the greatest aspects of the new medical drama.
Lemon & Zoe on Hart of Dixie
Remember when Lemon was engaged to George, but then they called the wedding off and George showed up in the pouring rain to tell Zoe how he felt about her? Yeah, that pretty much cemented these two would never be besties. They eventually did find some common ground throughout the show’s run and eventually formed a really sweet friendship.
Casey & Rebecca on Greek
Looking back, it’s a wonder Casey and Rebecca ever became friends! They had very similar taste in boys and didn’t agree on much, but when push came to shove, they respected one another and were there for each other as only sisters can be.
Spike & Angel on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
From “friends”, to enemies and back again, the main men in Buffy’s life had a complicted history to say the least. Whether these two were fighting one another or working together for the greater good, their scenes were always the highlight of any Buffy or Angel episode.
Joey & Jen on Dawson’s Creek
In the beginning, Dawson loved Jen and Joey loved Dawson. And the first of many Dawson’s Creek love triangles were born. But over the years the frost between the two thawed and an authentic friendship was formed.
Rory & Paris on Gilmore Girls
It took a long time for these two to get on the same page, but once Paris softened and let her guard down, she found a lasting friendship with Rory that was one of the best on the series.
Emily Thorne & Amanda Clarke on Revenge
Once you get over that whole thing of Amanda hooking up with the love of Emily’s life, these two actually had a pretty deep bond. No matter what happened between them, they always found their way back to each other and that bond.
