7 TV boyfriends who ruined dating for us

Let’s be real, we’ve all had at least one serious love affair with a TV boyfriend. They come in many forms—some are brooding antiheroes, others are endearingly awkward, but they all share one trait: an uncanny ability to make audiences swoon.

We’re victims of setting unrealistic relationship standards based on the pixels we fall for on screen, and we’re left wondering why the real world doesn’t offer grand declarations of love in the rain or dramatic confessions over school intercoms.

Every month brings a fresh roster of TV boyfriends, with each candidate vying to be the internet’s latest obsession. These characters are immortalised in viral TikTok edits (yes, we’ve seen the Bridgerton ones), steamy fanfiction, and more recently, dopplegänger competitions worldwide. 

To celebrate the month of love, we’re diving into some iconic TV show characters who have earned this coveted badge of honour in pop culture.

JESS MARIANO, GILMORE GIRLS

Those who watched this early 2000s drama have likely been in heated debates over who truly deserved Rory Gilmore’s heart. While Jess Mariano wasn’t Rory’s endgame by the series finale, he remains a fan favourite despite being the walking, talking definition of a red flag.

Jess is the antithesis of the safe, all-American boyfriend. His unpredictability is equally frustrating and fascinating, making him the blueprint for the age-old question: is he toxic or just misunderstood? 

Beneath the sharp wit, he truly understood Rory in ways none of her other love interests could (because let’s be honest, we love an intellectual man). When he returned as a published author in later seasons, proving he was more than just the troubled kid from Stars Hollow, he cemented his place as one of TV’s most beloved, imperfect boyfriends.

PAXTON HALL-YOSHIDA, NEVER HAVE I EVER

Confident, charismatic and athletic—we don’t blame Devi Vishwakumar for obsessing over Sherman Oaks’ resident golden boy. Paxton Hall-Yoshida isn’t just the school’s most desirable guy; he is the high school crush. 

While Paxton started out as the shallow jock stereotype, he slowly worked to prove himself as more than just “the hot guy”. After an injury put his swimming future in jeopardy, he buckled down on his studies—something no one, including himself, expected.  Emotionally, he matured from a guy who kept Devi at arm’s length to someone who openly valued and respected her. 

Team Paxton or not, who didn’t wish they were Devi when he climbed through her bedroom window, rain-soaked and irresistible, just to kiss her?

ANTHONY BRIDGERTON, BRIDGERTON

Don’t lie; you knew he’d be on this list. And it’s not just because Jonathan Bailey portrays him or because the internet is always thirsting over fictional men in period dramas. 

Anthony Bridgerton has all the makings of a classic romance hero—brooding, emotionally repressed and utterly devoted once he lets himself love. His slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc with Kate Sharma is a timeless romance trope that left audiences swooning, proving there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a man abandon all logic for the woman who challenges him. 

The eldest Bridgerton brother is a man of many words, but his dramatic proclamations have us all wishing we were the bane of his existence and the object of all his desires.

NOAH ROKLOV, NOBODY WANTS THIS 

Adam Brody is no stranger to being crowned a Hollywood Heartthrob. He dominated the early 2000s as Dave Rygalski in Gilmore Girls before securing his TV boyfriend status as Seth Cohen in The O.C. Now, he’s winning over a new generation of fans as Rabbi Noah Roklov (AKA, Hot Rabbi) in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This. 

Noah is everything you would expect in a cookie-cutter boyfriend. He’s almost too perfect, and even Joanne is shocked when she manages to overlook his shortcomings—a feat every girl applauds her for because it’s no easy task. 

Sure, he’s devoted to his faith and he’s 100 per cent a mama’s boy. But he’s proven time and again that Joanne comes first, especially when he chases after her to confess his feelings in the final episode.

JOE GOLDBERG, YOU

Hear us out.

Maybe it’s Penn Badgley’s unnervingly charming performance. Or maybe Joe Goldberg is terrifyingly good at convincing himself (and us) that he’s just a hopeless romantic. His obsessive devotion, bookish intellect, and soft-spoken demeanour make him feel more like the enigmatic literary hero of a romance novel—until you remember he’s, well, a serial killer. 

Every time Joe spirals deeper into obsession, it’s impossible to look away, even when you know you should. His internal monologue justifies every sinister act as a grand gesture of love, yet we can’t help but question if he’s truly capable of loving someone. 

We’re not looking to become the next Guinevere Beck, but Joe’s face card alone has fuelled some dangerously addictive edits.

CHANDLER BING, FRIENDS

The ‘90s had its fair share of sitcom TV boyfriends, but Chandler Bing stood out for being kind of a mess—in the best way possible.

He isn’t the smoothest talker like Joey or the most conventionally romantic like Ross, but his self-deprecating humour, unwavering loyalty, and genuine compassion are why he remains a fan favourite decades after the series concluded. 

His love story with Monica is proof that the best relationships are built on friendship, laughter, and a willingness to grow together. From their spontaneous Vegas wedding to his tear-jerking proposal, Chandler went from a commitment-phobe to the kind of partner everyone dreams of—one who always shows up, even if he’s cracking a joke while doing it.  

ZUKO, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

TV boyfriends aren’t just limited to real people—we love our 2D boyfriends just as much. When it comes to animated heartthrobs, few have a hold on fans quite like the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. 

The scar. The angst. The redemption arc. He’s got it all.

Zuko went from being the show’s conflicted antagonist to one of the most beloved animated characters for nearly two decades. His firebending skills are impressive, sure. But the real reason he’s an all-timer? He’ll apologise for his past mistakes and make it his mission to prove he’s worthy of your trust—just ask Mai, who still chose him in the end despite his mistakes.

Who wouldn’t want to hear “That’s rough, buddy” at least once in their life?

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