Iconic TV Duos That Never Got Their Happily Ever After

Watching a good love story on TV is always a treat, even if it doesn't turn out the way fans hope. Over the years, there have been popular couples who capture the hearts of viewers but unfortunately don't end up together, like Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek) and Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) from Dawson's Creek.

When Kevin Williamson first created the series, he initially planned for Joey to end up with her best friend and "star-crossed lover," Dawson. However, this changed over the six seasons of the show, ultimately leading to her choosing Pacey (Joshua Jackson).

In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Williamson shared his perspective on the characters. He described Dawson and Joey as soul mates, but also acknowledged that soulmates don't always end up as romantic partners. This idea influenced the storyline, with Joey ultimately choosing Pacey as her romantic love.

Joey and Dawson were just one of many famous TV couples who didn’t end up together when the finale aired.

Scroll through the gallery below for more:

Fan-Favorite TV Couples Who Didn’t End Up Together

Credit: Getty Images(2) ; ABC(2)

Fan-Favorite TV Couples Who Didn't End Up Together

There's nothing like a good love story on TV — even if it doesn't end up the way that fans want.

There have been many famous couples in TV shows who have gained large followings, but some of them don't actually end up together in the end. One example is Dawson Leery (played by James Van Der Beek) and Joey Potter (played by Katie Holmes) from Dawson's Creek.

When the series was created by Kevin Williamson, he originally planned for Joey to end up with her best friend and "star-crossed lover," Dawson. However, the storyline changed throughout the six seasons, and it concluded with Joey choosing Pacey (played by Joshua Jackson) instead.

Williamson shared with Entertainment Weekly in 2018 that he believed Dawson and Joey were soulmates. He mentioned that he had learned in life that a soulmate isn't always a romantic partner. This influenced the storyline where Joey ultimately chose her romantic love, Pacey, over Dawson.

The finale of the show revealed that Joey and Dawson, despite being considered soulmates, did not end up together, joining the ranks of other famous TV couples who didn't end up together.

Scroll through the gallery below for more:

Miss Scarlet and the Duke Stuart Martin Announces Exit

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Eliza and William (‘Miss Scarlet and the Duke’)

During the first four seasons of the PBS Masterpiece series, Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) relied on Scotland Yard detective William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin) for assistance in her work as a private detective. Fans were captivated by the subtle attraction between them, keeping them engaged week after week. In season 4, William finally confessed his love for Eliza, sharing a kiss before departing for a one-year assignment in New York.

In February 2024, PBS announced that the series would be renamed Miss Scarlet for its upcoming fifth season, revealing that Stuart Martin's character, William, would not be making a return. This casting update left viewers disappointed, as they had hoped for a happy ending for Eliza and her beloved Duke.

Devastating Fictional Breakups TV Fans Still Can't Get Over Jess and Rory

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Jess and Rory ('Gilmore Girls')

Despite fans' hopes for Jess to end up with Rory, played by Alexis Bledel, they were left disappointed as she ended up alone and expecting a child.

Lyla Tim Riggins Friday Night Lights

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Lyla and Tim ('Friday Night Lights')

Lyla (Minka Kelly) and Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) started their relationship while she was dating his best friend, but they broke up by the end of the series. Tim ended up being with Tyra (Adrienne Palicki) in the end.

Dawson Joey Dawsons Creek

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Dawson and Joey ('Dawson's Creek')

Despite Dawson and Joey being soulmates, she ultimately chose bad boy Pacey — who Dawson had once pushed her toward — in the end.

Robin Barney How I Met Your Mother

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Robin and Barney ('How I Met Your Mother')

Barney, played by Neil Patrick Harris, fell for Robin, played by Cobie Smulders, in the show. This caused a bit of a dilemma since his best friend Ted, portrayed by Josh Radnor, also had feelings for her. Despite a brief marriage between Robin and Barney, they eventually separated in the last season. Ted then made his way back to Robin's apartment.

Brooke Lucas One Tree Hill

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Brooke and Lucas ('One Tree Hill')

Despite Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) ultimately finding happiness with Peyton (Hilarie Burton), many fans were still rooting for him to end up with Brooke (Sophia Bush) due to their tumultuous on-and-off relationship.

Serena Nate Gossip Girl

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Nate and Serena ('Gossip Girl')

Ultimately, Serena (played by Blake Lively) ended up marrying Dan Humphrey (played by Penn Badgley), also known as Lonely Boy. However, a lot of fans were actually rooting for Serena to continue her steamy romance with Nate (played by Chace Crawford).

candice-accola-joseph-morgan-the originals

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Caroline and Klaus in 'The Vampire Diaries'

Caroline and Klaus in 'The Vampire Diaries' had a brief fling in the woods, leaving Klaroline fans wanting more. Klaus even made a promise to Caroline that he would be her last love.

Devastating Fictional Breakups TV Fans Still Can't Get Over Vampire Diaries

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Stefan and Elena ('The Vampire Diaries')

Are you a fan of Stelena? In 'The Vampire Diaries', Elena (played by Nina Dobrev) initially had feelings for Stefan (played by Paul Wesley). However, in the end, she ended up with his brother Damon (played by Ian Somerhalder).

Sam Diane Cheers

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Sam and Diane ('Cheers')

Diane (Shelley Long) and Sam (Ted Danson) announced their engagement on the finale, only to end their relationship moments later and go their separate ways.

Devastating Fictional Breakups TV Fans Still Can't Get Over Buffy Angel

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Buffy and Angel ('Buffy the Vampire Slayer')

Even though Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel (David Boreanaz) had the most powerful love story on the show, they did not end up together in the end. Angel went on to have his own spinoff, while Buffy made cameo appearances twice after their separation.

Jackson April Greys Anatomy

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April and Jackson ('Grey's Anatomy')

Sarah Drew, the actress who played April, was surprised along with the fans when the decision was made to write her character off Grey's Anatomy. This was especially surprising because fans were hoping to see April end up with Jackson, portrayed by Jesse Williams.

Devastating Fictional Breakups TV Fans Still Can't Get Over Andy Haley Modern Family

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Haley and Andy ('Modern Family')

When Modern Family came to an end, Haley (played by Sarah Hyland) said goodbye as she, her husband Dylan (played by Reid Ewing), and their twins moved out. Fans were left wondering if there was a chance for her ex-boyfriend Andy (played by Adam DeVine) to make a return in her life.

Angela Shawn Boy Meets World

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Angela and Shawn ('Boy Meets World')

Angela and Shawn from 'Boy Meets World' seemed like a perfect couple, but they didn't end up together. In a special episode of the spinoff show, 'Girl Meets World', Angela made a guest appearance and surprised fans by revealing she was married.

Jake Olivia Scandal

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Jake and Olivia ('Scandal')

Team Jake or Fitz? That was the question during Scandal, but ultimately Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Jake (Scott Foley)'s ending was strictly a friendship.

shannen doherty luke perry 90210

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Dylan and Brenda ('Beverly Hills, 90210')

Fans were rooting for Brenda (played by Shannen Doherty) to rekindle her romance with Dylan (portrayed by Luke Perry), but in the end, he ended up choosing Kelly (played by Jennie Garth).

Favorite TV Couples Who Didn’t End Up Together

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Mulder and Scully ('The X-Files')

Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny, and Dana Scully, portrayed by Gillian Anderson, shared the screen for 218 episodes and two movies. However, by the end of the show's 11th season in 2018, they were not officially a couple. Despite the lack of a romantic resolution, many fans were still holding out for some form of closure between the two FBI agents.

Favorite TV Couples Who Didn’t End Up Together

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Jaime and Brienne ('Game of Thrones')

Many fans of 'Game of Thrones' hoped for a romantic relationship between Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth. Despite Jaime's strong feelings for his sister Cersei, some viewers held out hope for Jaime and Brienne. In season 8, their love finally blossomed, but unfortunately, it was short-lived. Jaime returned to King's Landing and reunited with Cersei, ultimately meeting his demise alongside her.

Favorite TV Couples Who Didn’t End Up Together

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Ryan and Marissa ('The O.C.')

Despite the ups and downs, Seth and Summer were destined to be together in 'The O.C.' However, Ryan and Marissa faced more challenges in their relationship. After three seasons of back-and-forth drama, it seemed like things were finally settling down for the troubled couple. But, to the disappointment of fans, the show's writers decided to end Marissa's story by killing her off in the season 3 finale, crushing any hopes of a reconciliation between the two.

Editor's P/S:

The article explores the bittersweet phenomenon of beloved TV couples who fail to find their happily ever after. The list includes iconic pairings like Dawson and Joey from "Dawson's Creek," where the initially intended romantic endgame shifts to a more complex understanding of soulmates and romantic love. Other examples, such as Buffy and Angel from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and Jamie and Brienne from "Game of Thrones," highlight the poignant longing and unfulfilled potential that can linger when cherished characters don't end up together.

This article evokes a range of emotions, from nostalgia and longing to a sense of acceptance and appreciation for the complexities of human relationships.