5 Best TV Show Love Triangles, Ranked

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Love triangles are a common plot device in romantic movies, TV shows, and books. The resulting tension and drama are relatable, making it easy for audiences to connect with characters facing these difficult situations.

As a total cinema devotee, I’ve definitely noticed how often love triangles pop up, especially in teen dramas. It usually involves a young woman or man caught between two people – one who feels safe and right, and another who’s exciting and pushes them to grow. Honestly, a lot of viewers think this storyline is getting a bit stale, but showrunners still use it all the time, and it always manages to stir up drama amongst fans. It’s a classic for a reason, I guess, even if it’s a bit predictable!

Dylan, Kelly, and Brenda Had a Long-Lasting Love Triangle in Beverly Hills, 90210

Many consider Beverly Hills, 90210 to be a groundbreaking show that popularized several character types still seen today. The series centered around the lives of a group of friends growing up in the affluent community of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

The show quickly became a cultural hit, largely because it tackled sensitive and new topics like sexual consent, LGBTQ+ issues, and substance abuse. But at its heart, it was a relatable story about the drama of teenage relationships, and the compelling love stories kept viewers hooked.

The central romance on Beverly Hills, 90210 revolved around Dylan, Kelly, and Brenda. Their complicated relationship, filled with drama, cheating, and arguments, lasted for the entire 10-season run of the show, keeping viewers hooked – and often frustrated.

Even after three decades, the love triangle between these characters is still incredibly famous. The 2008 reboot of Beverly Hills, 90210 attempted to recreate that same chemistry with a new group – Annie, Liam, and Naomi – hoping to capture the magic of the original.

Elena Was Torn Between the Salvatore Brothers in The Vampire Diaries

Elena Gilbert was the main character in the hit TV show The Vampire Diaries for its first six seasons. Her story largely focused on her romantic relationships with the Salvatore brothers, both vampires. Elena first became involved with the supernatural world through her connection with Stefan Salvatore, portrayed by Paul Wesley.

He genuinely tried to live a normal life and was deeply in love with Elena. But Elena found herself drawn to Damon, Stefan’s brother – the classic charming rebel. This created a difficult situation for Elena, leading to a complicated love triangle as she developed feelings for both brothers, who were very different from each other.

Rory’s Three Love Interests Divided Fans in Gilmore Girls

Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls often sparked debate among viewers. Initially portrayed as a somewhat innocent and socially inexperienced teen, she became a point of contention as the series progressed, largely due to her romantic choices. Rory had several significant relationships and was involved in a few love triangles during the show.

Rory’s first romantic complication arose when she developed feelings for Jess while she was still dating her boyfriend, Dean. Dean was kind and considerate, while Jess was the rebellious type. Eventually, Rory broke up with Dean and started a relationship with Jess. This situation, and Rory’s handling of it, frustrated some viewers, leading them to dislike her actions. Later, she complicated things further by reconnecting with Dean while he was still married, which continued a pattern of dragging her partners into difficult situations.

Though the show covered many topics, viewers were particularly interested in Rory’s romantic relationships, frequently taking sides and rooting for either Dean, Jess, or Logan.

Stranger Things’ Nancy Is More Than Her Relationships With Steve and Jonathan

The TV show Stranger Things featured a well-known teenage love triangle. From the very beginning, Nancy Wheeler found herself torn between two relationships: one with her former boyfriend, Steve Harrington, and another with Jonathan Byers.

The show’s love triangle appeared resolved by Season 3, but Season 4 reignited the connection between Steve and Nancy, largely because Jonathan was away from Hawkins. However, Season 5 took a surprising turn when Nancy ultimately didn’t end up with Steve, Jonathan, or even Robin, leaving fans surprised about who she’d choose.

Ultimately, Nancy didn’t end up with either of her love interests, and the show continued to focus on her life as a single woman. While fans strongly disagreed about who she should be with, some hoped for a future for her independent of a romantic relationship, and the show delivered on that wish.

I remember when the show first came out, everyone was so Team Nancy and Jonathan! But honestly, as Nancy developed as a character, it just felt right that she focused on her own path. Don’t get me wrong, love triangles are fun to watch, but I really appreciated that the show didn’t make Nancy’s whole story about who she was dating. It was cool to see her grow beyond that.

How I Met Your Mother Had the Most Iconic Love Triangle on TV

Robin became part of Ted and Barney’s group of friends because Ted was attracted to her. Though they dated on and off, they ultimately remained just friends. This opened the door for Robin to develop a relationship with Barney Stinson, Ted’s friend who was known for his many dates.

Robin and Barney’s wedding in the final season pleased many viewers who had watched their relationship develop and mature. However, the season also explored the complications of a love triangle, as Robin questioned her happiness with Barney and still had feelings for Ted.

Fans were disappointed by Barney and Robin’s divorce, and it brought Ted’s old feelings for Robin back to the surface. This was especially frustrating because Ted had moved on and found happiness with Tracy, the mother of his children.

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2026-03-05 03:08