Summary
- TV shows often feature relationships between characters, and some actors end up together in real life, like Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys from The Americans.
- However, behind the scenes, actors playing TV couples can have entirely different experiences with one another, like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher from That '70s Show.
- While some onscreen couples have short-lived relationships, many of them become real-life romances that continue for years, such as Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood from Supergirl.
TV shows frequently include relationships between characters, and some of the actors end up together in real life. Between breakups, affairs, and will-they-won't-they couples, relationships are a popular element of TV shows. The tension and chemistry can create some interesting storylines. Well-developed relationships can make for heartbreaking betrayals onscreen. Plus, audiences enjoy shipping their favorite couples. However, characters in a show aren't the same as actors on a set.
Behind the scenes, actors playing TV couples can have entirely different experiences with one another. Many actors who couldn't stand one another in real life portrayed iconic onscreen couples. However, the opposite is also true. Showmances frequently develop between the actors who play onscreen couples. While some of the relationships are short-lived, many of those couples become real-life romances that continue for years.
14 Matthew Rhys & Keri Russell (The Americans)
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys connected on the set of The Americans. In this show, they played Philip and Elizabeth, KGB spies in an arranged marriage who become best friends and confidants. Though Philip falls deeply in love with Elizabeth, the marriage possesses little romance. Unlike their characters, Russell and Rhys seem happily in love. In 2016, Russell gave birth to their first child. Though The Americans wrapped in 2017, the family is happily together as of the time of writing.
13 Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis (That ‘70s Show)
In 1995, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher began starring as Jackie Burkhart and Michael Kelso in That '70s Show. While the characters had a cute on-again, off-again relationship, nothing occurred between the two actors until 17 years later when Kunis and Kutcher started a casual relationship. According to Elle, things quickly escalated when the two moved in together in 2012. Two years later, they became engaged and welcomed their first child. Kunis and Kutcher married in 2015. A year and a half later, Kunis gave birth to their second child. In June 2023, Kutcher described himself as the luckiest man in the world.
12 Natalia Dyer & Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things)
Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton play romantic interests, Nancy and Jonathan, on Stranger Things. The TV couple has a love triangle with Steve, but Nancy seemingly chose Jonathan in Stranger Things season 4. Despite the on-screen drama, Dyer and Heaton have been happily together for multiple years. The couple usually keeps their relationship out of the public eye. However, Dyer shared a glimpse with Cosmopolitan into how their shared work has positively impacted their relationship. She said, "It's an understanding that would be hard to replicate. It's an indescribable thing."
11 Melissa Benoist & Chris Wood (Supergirl)
On Supergirl, Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood played Kara and Mon-El, a former couple who were split apart by time. Mon-El goes through a wormhole to the 31st century while Kara stays in the 21st century. Despite the characters' tragic love story in the TV show, Benoist and Wood seemingly remain blissfully in love. Based on Melissa Benoist's Instagram, the two went public with their relationship in 2017, married in 2019, and celebrated the birth of their child in late-2020. They share small moments of joy, like vacations and anniversaries, on their social media s; however, they otherwise keep their relationship private.
10 Hyun Bin & Son Ye-jin (Crash Landing On You)
In Crash Landing On You, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin played Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri, star-crossed lovers from North and South Korea. In real life, Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin met in 2014 at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. They later grew friendly when they acted in the movie The Negotiation. Hyun and Son confirmed in 2021 that they'd been dating since 2020 while working on Crash Landing On You. The pair married in March 2022 and welcomed a baby boy in November 2022 (via Lifestyle Asia).
9 Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer (True Blood)
Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer started their romance while playing halfling Sookie Stackhouse and vampire Bill Compton in True Blood. Their chemistry on-screen was matched off-screen. Though the couple started dating only months after the show began filming, they kept their relationship quiet to preserve the environment on set. Paquin and Moyer went public with their relationship in February 2009, tying the knot in 2010. Paquin gave birth to twins, adding new to their blended family. Anna Paquin shared with Us magazine in 2019 that the key to their happy marriage is that they are best friends.
8 Emily VanCamp and Josh Bowman (Revenge)
In Revenge, Emily VanCamp and Josh Bowman played the couple Emily Thorne and Daniel Grayson. The characters had a contentious relationship, getting engaged twice, marrying, and becoming enemies after a divorce. The pair reconciled in Daniel's dying moments. VanCamp and Bowman's real-life romance is much sweeter. These two began dating in 2011. Seven years later, the two wed in the Bahamas. In August 2021, the couple welcomed their baby into the world (via MamaMia).
7 Mark Consuelos & Kelly Rippa (All My Children)
In 1995, Mark Consuelos and Kelly Rippa met on the soap opera All My Children. Their characters Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan became onscreen love interests who went through ups and downs but ultimately married in a memorable hospital room scene. Approximately a year after Consuelos and Rippa met, they eloped in Las Vegas. The couple have three children together, all adults now. In 2023, the couple celebrated their 27th anniversary and began doing the show Live With Kelly and Mark after previous host Ryan Seacrest stepped down from his co-hosting job with Rippa (via ET).
6 Ji Sung and Lee Bo-young (Save The Last Dance For Me)
The couple Ji Sung and Lee Bo-young met on the set of their drama Save The Last Dance For Me. Hyun-woo, played by Ji Sung, is a man betrothed to Soo-jin, played by Lee Bo-young. However, the characters are split apart by an accident that causes Hyun-woo to gain amnesia. According to Metro.Style, in real life, the couple confirmed their relationship in 2007. Ji and Lee got married at the Aston House in Seoul in 2013. The pair went on to have two children together. Ji Sung regularly posts on Instagram about how much he loves his wife and kids.
5 Jared Padalecki & Genevieve Padalecki (Supernatural)
Jared and Genevieve Padalecki met when they played Sam and Ruby on Supernatural. The demon hunter and demon quickly developed a strange sexual relationship filled with chemistry. Though Ruby and Sam weren't really friends, the actors developed a friendly working relationship before starting to date in the Fall of 2008. The pair married in February 2010 and bought a 10,600 ft home in Austin. They filled the property with many different animals prior to having three children. In 2021, the Padaleckis acted as a couple on screen again in the show Walker. Since then, they've prioritized time with their family (via PEOPLE).