Slow Burns and Stolen Glances: TV’s Most Addictive Will-They-Won’t-They Stories
From Jim and Pam to Luke and Lorelai
We love stories that keep us guessing. When it comes to TV shows we watch over many seasons, it’s fun to wonder whether our favorite characters might follow a spark to a romantic entanglement. Sure, we get invested in other plotlines and characters, but that nagging question–“will they or won’t they get together?” –can keep us delighted throughout. One of the most legendary–and often credited as the trend-setting will-they-won’t-they couples–was Sam and Diane on the sitcom Cheers. Their love story was inspired by real life Hollywood couple Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The writers kept audiences guessing for five years before bringing the characters together. And while it didn’t last, it proved that audiences love a slow burn.
We put together some of the best and most iconic will-they-won’t- they couples from TV shows that had audiences guessing for quite a while to their delight. Now, this is your fair warning that though these shows have already aired, there are *spoilers ahead* –so proceed with caution. Which are your faves? Tell us in the comments if we missed your favorite!
Josh and Donna, The West Wing
He’s helping run the White House, and she’s his “Girl Friday.” But the spark is clear early on. In fact, actress Janel Moloney played her character as an assistant in The West Wing as if she were in love with Josh from the beginning, and of her own accord (as in, it wasn’t written into the script at all). The result is a series-long slow burn that viewers have to earn through seven seasons–and the payoff is delightful.
Ben and Leslie, Parks & Recreation
Leslie Knope is proficient in most things, but romantic love doesn’t seem to be one of them for the first couple of seasons of Parks & Recreation. The Galentine’s Day creator celebrates her female friends the most. But when Ben enters the picture and they find themselves at bureaucratic odds, the sparks start to fly. And while it takes five seasons for them to tie the knot, it’s one of the sweetest will-they-won’t-they journeys to watch.
Pam and Jim, The Office
From the moment we meet them on screen, it’s clear that there’s at least something sparking between Jim and Pam on The Office. The two are the most grounded characters in the ensemble which is filled with eccentric personalities, so it’s natural to see them as a unit. But Jim reveals through meaningful looks to the camera that he’s quietly pining, while Pam is engaged to someone else. Jim hides his feelings through teasing and shared jokes, their chemistry growing through stolen glances and emotional moments. Viewers have to wait a few seasons for the characters’ true feelings to be revealed, and see their deep friendship blossom into something more. Though there are several starts and stops, eventually their timing aligns.
Janine and Gregory, Abbott Elementary
An office romance, but at school. On Abbott Elementary, teachers Janine and Gregory are opposites: she’s earnest and enthusiastic about teaching, he’s dry and assumed his career path would be different. Janine has a long term boyfriend so she’s not thinking about Gregory, until their undeniable chemistry built out of genuine friendship and love for the students seems inevitable. Their charming slow burn romance is built on mutual respect, awkward tension, and unspoken feelings–until they come to light.
Dawson and Joey, Dawson’s Creek
The essential question asked in the first scene of the series (and the “eternal question” as Joey puts it, invoking When Harry Met Sally): can men and women really ever just be friends? Dawson and Joey are about to test the theory as they come of age and stop having casual sleepovers. But the audience learns early on that Joey has been harboring a pretty significant crush for the oblivious Dawson, and the entire season centers around whether or not he’ll ever get a clue.
Joey and Pacey, Dawson’s Creek
This series knew how to mix tropes, that’s for sure! From will-they-won’t-they to best friends turned romance, to enemies to romance, to love triangle–Dawson’s Creek had it all! Joey and Pacey are not the central love story angle set up in Season 1. In fact, they seem to actually hate each other. But their eventual attraction is teased midway through the season when for one moment they come out of an argument and find some common ground. And when her romance with Dawson fizzles, Joey and Pacey realize their true feelings for one another. Grand romantic gestures abound (he buys her a wall, for instance) and Dawson is left heartbroken, resulting in one of the most memeified moments in television history.
Jess and Nick, New Girl
The overarching theme of New Girl is one of organized chaos: quirky Jess moves in with three extremely different guys and together all of their personalities clash resulting in incredible comedic beats. And it’s all the more felt between Nick and Jess who are polar opposites in almost every way. Their romance is a messy, hilarious slow burn fueled by opposites-attract chemistry. From the very beginning of the series, their banter and emotional connection grow over time, and the audience gets to experience two seasons’ worth of near-misses and awkward tension. But when they finally give in to their feelings, it is proof that love can bloom out of friendship, perfect timing, and genuine connection.
Charlie and Nick, Heartstopper
It’s hard not to swoon over this will-they-won’t-they romance, because there’s so much at stake for the characters. Charlie and Nick’s romance on Heartstopper is a tender slow burn about self-discovery, acceptance, and first love. What begins as an unexpected friendship slowly deepens as the two young men navigate growing feelings, confusion, and the courage to be honest—with both each other and themselves. Their relationship unfolds with a lot of vulnerability, as they both grapple not only with their feelings toward one another, but evolution of their individual identities as well. It’s sweet, uncertain, and heartfelt.
Luke and Lorelai, Gilmore Girls
From the moment she asks for a 5th cup of coffee in the first scene of Gilmore Girls, the quippy relationship between Lorelai and Luke is established. As their friendship evolves, so does their undeniable chemistry. The audience has to watch both of them date others first, though. Their flirtation is subtle: Lorelai considers Luke romantically in certain moments, and shows twinges of jealousy regarding other relationships he has had or has. And Luke has a more overt, noticeable crush that plays out in his willingness to engage in Lorelai’s banter. Things change when Luke makes a deliberate move to show her how he feels, and after four seasons of will-they-won’t-they, the audience gets a fantastic payoff (complete with antics from Kirk that ground the moment in typical Gilmore madness). Of course the town will have their opinions on the inn owner and the diner owner dating, but these two will find themselves in starts and stops until the very last scene of the original series.
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