A wonderful romance is at the center—forgive the pun—of practically every popular TV show we’ve watched.
The hooks that ensnare us and draw us into a series can be lust, love, and the eventual heartbreak of our favourite characters.
Epic love stories have graced TV screens before, but there have also been heartbreaking breakups that have us sobbing over bowls of ice cream and vowing never to fall in love again in support of our beloved characters.
Here are several TV character splits that made us doubt the existence of love altogether.
Although, ‘technically,’ this isn’t a breakup, Toadie losing Dee just moments after saying ‘I do’ will go down in Australian TV history as one of the most dramatic tales ever.
You can read why. We’re truly persuaded that Toadie is both the luckiest and unluckiest-in-love TV figure of all time.
Toadie & Dee: Neighbours, 1/8
Even though, technically, this isn’t a breakup, Toadie losing Dee just moments after saying “I do” will go down in Australian TV history as one of the most tragic plotlines ever.
The reason why we think Toadie is both the luckiest and unluckiest-in-love TV character of all time is explained here.
Billie and Mick – Offspring (Supplied)
Even though Billie and Mick’s relationship was strained and anything but idyllic, they were nonetheless ideal for one another.
Billie finally took the plunge and travelled abroad to try to save her marriage after much on and off.
She came back to inform the Proudman family that Billie and Mick are no longer together after all, despite their best efforts. Bring on the sound of our hearts breaking.
2/8 Billie and Mick’s Children
Even though Billie and Mick’s relationship was strained and anything but idyllic, they were nonetheless ideal for one another.
Billie finally took the plunge and travelled abroad to try to save her marriage after much on and off.
She came back to inform the Proudman family that Billie and Mick are no longer together after all, despite their best efforts. Bring on the sound of our hearts breaking.
Angel and Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer is provided.
We’ll be up front about this: We are 100% on Spike’s side.
A vampire and a vampire slayer, Buffy and Angel, were never going to get along.
But the star-crossed lovers cliché is what made their romance such terrific television and, thus, such a heartbreaking breakup.
The kind of grief that stays with viewers forever is having to give up your first real love.
3/8 of Buffy and Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
We’ll be up front about this: We are 100% on Spike’s side.
A vampire and a vampire slayer, Buffy and Angel, were never going to get along.
But the star-crossed lovers cliché is what made their romance such terrific television and, thus, such a heartbreaking breakup.
The kind of grief that stays with viewers forever is having to give up your first real love.
Marshall and Lily – How I Met Your Mother (Supplied)
Although Lily and Marshall’s relationship wasn’t healthy in real life, it made for a TV icon since they had no concept of being apart.
Marsh-mellow and Lily-pad are the kind of pair we all aim to be, albeit a little less “blob” like; they are completely in-tune, honest, and open, and despite being together, they continue to hang out with their friends.
Lily began to question whether she had lived her life to the fullest after being bound by monogamy, as many young couples do, and she fled to San Francisco to follow her goal.
Fans were fortunate that the couple came to the realisation that the archaic notion that you can’t be free and live your best life while in a relationship is just that—outdated and untrue.
Marshall and Lily from How I Met Your Mother, 4 of 8
Although Lily and Marshall’s relationship wasn’t healthy in real life, it made for a TV icon since they had no concept of being apart.
Marsh-mellow and Lily-pad are the kind of pair we all aim to be, albeit a little less “blob” like; they are completely in-tune, honest, and open, and despite being together, they continue to hang out with their friends.
Lily began to question whether she had lived her life to the fullest after being bound by monogamy, as many young couples do, and she fled to San Francisco to follow her goal.
Fans were fortunate that the couple came to the realisation that the archaic notion that you can’t be free and live your best life while in a relationship is just that—outdated and untrue.
Ross and Rachel – Friends (Supplied)
It only took Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) a season and a half to fall in love, but like most relationships, theirs had its share of difficulties.
Our hearts broke for the pair as we saw them battle through their first significant split and the famous “we were on a break” discussion; they were both obviously hurting.
Even though we knew they were meant to be together, we still felt the goosebumps when Rachel smashed through Ross’ door in the series finale and whispered the famous words, “I got off the plane.”
Ross and Rachel, Friends, 5 of 8
It only took Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) a season and a half to fall in love, but like most relationships, theirs had its share of difficulties.
Our hearts broke for the pair as we saw them battle through their first significant split and the famous “we were on a break” discussion; they were both obviously hurting.
Even though we knew they were meant to be together, we still felt the goosebumps when Rachel smashed through Ross’ door in the series finale and whispered the famous words, “I got off the plane.”
Jess & Rory – Gilmore Girls (Supplied)
The ultimate sensitive bad boy crush was Jess. Sadly, he and Rory outgrown each other, just like many teenage crushes do.
We will forever be in love with and devastated by Jess’ breakup with the youngest Gilmore girl.
Jess and Rory from Gilmore Girls (6/8)
The ultimate sensitive bad boy crush was Jess. Sadly, he and Rory outgrown each other, just like many teenage crushes do.
We will forever be in love with and devastated by Jess’ breakup with the youngest Gilmore girl.
(Supplied)
7 / 8
Home And Away’s Indi and Romeo
When it comes to on-again, off-again relationships, Indi and Romeo might compete with Ross and Rachel from Friends.
The Summer Bay pair split up three times after two marriages.
They resolved their differences in the end, but Romeo later received a melanoma diagnosis.
He abandons Indi in the middle of the night without telling her. It was reported that he had passed away months later. Sob!
Jake and Rachel – Packed To The Rafters (Supplied)
The possibility that Rachel would decide against moving to New York and decide to stay with Jake was teased as a final ray of hope.
Sadly, rather than a change of heart, their final moment of passion during Rachel’s farewell dinner was a final goodbye.
Jake and Rachel: Packed to the Rafters, 8 out of 8.
The possibility that Rachel would decide against moving to New York and decide to stay with Jake was teased as a final ray of hope.
Sadly, rather than a change of heart, their final moment of passion during Rachel’s farewell dinner was a final goodbye.
(Supplied)
