Surprising Twist: TV Stars Who Surpassed Romance and Fought for Unbreakable Onscreen Friendships

Jenna Ortega, Ayo Edebiri, and several other actors have expressed their preference for friendship over romance in the shows they are involved in. This sentiment was shared by the actress from "The Bear" in relation to the perceived chemistry between Sydney and Carmy (played by Jeremy Allen White) in the first season.

"They have experienced significant emotional pain on both sides. Even if the possibility of exploring that was considered, I believe it is unlikely at this point," stated Edebiri in an exclusive interview with We in January 2023. "However, if it were to happen, it would require at least two seasons dedicated to individual therapy before it could even be considered as an option."

Regarding the future of their relationship, creator Christopher Storer also discussed the possibility of the coworkers taking it to the next level.

"We aimed to create a story centered around friendship and a strong partnership," he expressed to Variety during the same month. "It's quite amusing that this aspect stood out among all the intense elements present in the show! What intrigued me was how Ayo and Jeremy, being our friends and remarkable individuals, exude a certain charisma."

Storer further elaborated, "Right from the start, our idea was to showcase individuals excelling in their professions and inspiring one another. Personally, I had never seen a show without a romantic subplot, so I thought it could be a unique and captivating concept."

Ortega made it clear from the beginning that she wanted to veer away from the excessive romantic plotlines in the Netflix series featuring Wednesday Addams.

In an interview with ETalk in November 2022, the Scream actress expressed her opposition to the idea of Wednesday being caught in a love triangle. She stated, "I told [the writers] very early on that I didn't want her to be in the middle of a love triangle. I've always been against the love triangle idea."

While Ortega reluctantly accepted the presence of male characters and their potential romantic interests, she made it clear that she would vigorously resist the inclusion of a love triangle for Wednesday. According to her, it simply doesn't align with the character's nature and personality.

Ortega expressed her endorsement of the scenes that focused on Wednesday's development, emphasizing the potential for diverse approaches to her character. During an interview with Netflix's Tudum, she highlighted the intrigue of incorporating layers of vulnerability and authentic teenage traits to truly capture the essence of adolescence.

The actor from California further added, "It's particularly intriguing to portray a character that we have never had the chance to understand deeply. She has always been the one delivering quick one-liners and funny punchlines on the sidelines. To finally explore genuine frustration and uncertainty was a truly interesting experience for me." Explore further for other romantic relationships that lacked actor support.

Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

TV Stars Who Didn't Support a Potential Romance for Their Character, Advocated for More Platonic Onscreen Friendships

Not here for romance. Jenna Ortega, Ayo Edebiri and more actors opened up about wanting more friendship than romance on their respective shows.

"They both carry a lot of emotional baggage. Even if the possibility of a romantic connection between Sydney and Carmy was explored, I doubt it would happen in the near future," commented Edebiri in an exclusive interview with We in January 2023. "However, if it were to happen, it would require at least two seasons dedicated to their individual therapy sessions before they could even consider being together."

“We aimed to create a narrative centered around friendship and collaboration,” Christopher Storer expressed to Variety during the same period. “Ironically, amidst all the intense themes explored in the show, it's amusing that this aspect stood out to viewers. Ayo and Jeremy, being not only our friends but also incredible individuals, exude a certain charm that resonates with audiences.”

Storer mentioned, "Right from the start, our idea was to portray individuals excelling in their professions and inspiring one another." Personally, I had not come across a show devoid of a romantic storyline, and I thought, "That might be a unique and fascinating approach."

In the meantime, Ortega purposefully minimized the emphasis on romance in her Netflix series centered around Wednesday Addams.

"I made it clear to the writers from the beginning that I strongly opposed the idea of placing her in the center of a love triangle. The concept of a love triangle has never resonated with me," expressed the Scream actress during an interview with ETalk in November 2022. "Regarding the male characters, I had to come to terms with it – however, I am determined to vehemently oppose this love triangle notion. I firmly believe that Wednesday would never find herself entangled in a love triangle."

During that period, Ortega openly expressed her endorsement for scenes that focused on Wednesday's personal development.

Wednesday may come across as one-dimensional, but there are numerous paths to explore when it comes to a character like her, as expressed during an interview with Netflix's Tudum. The actress highlights the significance of incorporating layers of insecurity and the authentic qualities that define adolescence, which adds a captivating element to the role.

Furthermore, the actress, who hails from California, emphasizes the novelty of delving deeper into a character who has previously been limited to delivering witty one-liners from the sidelines. This opportunity to portray genuine frustration and uncertainty proved to be both fascinating and enlightening.

Scroll down for more romantic ships that didn't have the support of their actors:

Credit: Youtube

Negan and Maggie ('The Walking Dead: Dead City')

“The concept of a romance, it's quite amusing and far from reality. That's what makes any pairing on television intriguing. You can observe the chemistry between individuals who are just platonic partners in crime on cop shows or lawyer shows. ... People always have the desire for it to progress further," stated Lauren Cohan during an interview with TVLine in June 2023. "However, that approach seems quite simplistic. In many ways, the most intricate aspect of any partnership, friendship, or even enmity, lies beyond that superficial level."

Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Janine and Gregory ('Abbott Elementary')

In a recent interview with GQ, Tyler James Williams shared his thoughts on the potential romance between Janine and Gregory. While he has always supported Janine and Tariq's relationship, he believes that Janine and Gregory should take the time to grow individually before considering a romantic connection. Williams explained, "I haven't seen their growth as performers yet, so it's hard to determine if they should be together. We've all experienced the excitement of a new relationship, only to realize it fizzles out after a few weeks."

Credit: Vlad Cioplea/Netflix

Wednesday and Xavier ('Wednesday')

In November 2022, Ortega said she had no interest in exploring Wednesday's love life in season 2.

"Now that Tyler is out of the picture, it seems like she's taking a break from dating. It feels like her connection with Xavier is becoming more stable and secure. In my opinion, there is a potential for a beautiful and purely platonic relationship between them," she explained in her interview with MTV. "We don't often see enough examples of men and women having safe friendships that remain strictly non-romantic and are based on genuine affection, almost like siblings. It would be truly wonderful to witness such a bond."

Credit: Matt Dinerstein/FX

Carmy and Sydney ('The Bear')

"I don't think either of us, me or Jeremy Allen White, had romance in mind when we were creating it," Edebiri expressed in a January 2023 interview with Us regarding the potential romantic relationship between her character and White's. "However, it was truly refreshing to have the opportunity to portray a relationship that felt unique. There is a scarcity of platonic friendships between men and women."

Credit: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Bellamy and Clarke ('The 100')

When The 100 first aired on The CW in 2014, fans immediately began hoping for a romantic connection between best friends Bellamy and Clarke. However, Eliza Taylor, who plays Clarke, had a different perspective on the popular couple's potential future.

Expressing her thoughts during a livestream in 2016, the Australian actress stated, "As for Bellarke, it's a complicated matter. I truly appreciate the platonic relationship we share on the show, and I think it's wonderful. But I must admit, I find it difficult to understand the whole shipping phenomenon."

The fictional couple ultimately did not get together before The 100 aired its final season in 2020.

Credit: Courtesy of Apple

Poppy and Ian ('Mythic Quest')

Charlotte Nicdao explained that the unique bond between her character, Poppy, and Ian, played by Rob McElhenney, thrived on the absence of romance. In an interview with The Playlist in November 2022, she expressed her enthusiasm for delving into their relationship, stating that she believed there was nothing else like it currently on television. Nicdao described the evolving complexity of their connection with each passing season and eagerly anticipated the future trajectory of their dynamic.

"I appreciate how the show emphasizes the significance of this relationship, portraying it as equally important as a romantic one. Even though I personally don't root for them romantically, I still recognize that they are the most essential individuals in each other's lives, and that bond is definitely worth examining."

Credit: Courtesy of Apple

Ted and Rebecca ('Ted Lasso')

Hannah Waddingham, in a 2022 interview, shared her perspective on the relationship between Ted (Jason Sudeikis) and Rebecca in Ted Lasso. Rather than rooting for them to end up romantically, she emphasized the value of platonic relationships and the enduring support they can provide, even without physical intimacy. Waddingham expressed that sometimes the true beauty lies in being there for someone until the very end, regardless of whether a romantic connection exists.

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Midge and Lenny ('The Marvelous Mrs Maisel')

Rachel Brosnahan recalled begging creator Amy Sherman-Palladino to not explore a connection between Midge and Lenny (Luke Kirby).

Their friendship holds immense significance for both individuals, particularly Midge, and it goes beyond the typical friendships depicted between men and women on screen, as stated by the Emmy Award winner in a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The bond between them is built on genuine admiration for one another's talent and drive. It is allowed to exist solely as that, without any ulterior motives. The speaker expresses their love for this unique dynamic and emphasizes that they would not risk it for anything. However, they also appreciate the fact that Amy and they share the same perspective on this matter. They both believe in allowing their friendship to flourish in its current form, acknowledging its dynamism, wonderfulness, and idiosyncrasies. They find contentment in the way it is, without desiring anything more, and they believe Midge shares the same sentiment.

In season 4 of the hit Prime Video show, which aired in 2022, the twosome ultimately gave into their feelings and had sex.

Credit: Jack Zeman/FOX

Buck and Eddie ('9-1-1')

Ryan Guzman, in an interview with Anthem Magazine in 2019, expressed his appreciation for the strong emotional bond between Buck and Eddie onscreen. He described their relationship as a true bromance, comparing it to that of an older brother and younger brother. Guzman and Oliver Stark, who plays Eddie, have fun exploring this dynamic and enjoy the fan posts on social media dedicated to their characters. Guzman believes that the portrayal of two men who are emotionally connected is rare to witness, as people may desire it but hesitate to express or explore it.