5 Best workplace couples we see in TV shows

Some of the TV shows have really nailed the art of turning office chaos into Cupid's arrow. Like love blooming amidst spreadsheets and business meetings. And we've always been fascinated by the couples we see on TV shows anyway. Their love, their fights, and everything in between simply make us relate to them. But of them all, the most complicated yet captivating dynamic has to be a workplace romance. That is when two co-workers or business partners fall head over heels for each other and then battle against all odds, striving to balance between their personal and professional lives, often leading to a happy ending. And we, as audiences, find ourselves rooting for these on-screen lovers, celebrating their highs and sympathizing with their lows. If you're a fan of 9-to-5 romance, here is a list of the 5 best workplace couples in TV shows.

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Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly in the TV show: The Office (US)

“When you're a kid, you assume your parents are soulmates. My kids are gonna be right about that.”

We couldn't help but rejoice with tears in our eyes when Pam said that. I mean, who doesn't adore the iconic relationship of Jim and Pam from the BBC mockumentary sitcom, The Office US? They are the ultimate example of a perfect office couple in TV shows, having started their journey as colleagues in a paper company and eventually ending up as life partners. Their connection developed through exchanged glances across work desks and inside jokes, gradually taking the shape of a true friendship. Even though Pam was engaged to Roy at first, Jim did not give up, believing that they had something real and continued to love her in secret. It was in “The Dundies” episode of Season 2 that Pam, in a drunken state, kissed Jim for the first time, and in the season finale, titled “Casino Night,” that Jim finally confessed his feelings for her. They later share a deep, passionate kiss, but for some complicated reasons, they could not get together at that time.

Jim took a transfer to the Stamford branch of the office and became involved with another colleague named Karen, while Pam called off her wedding, realizing that she was in love with Jim, too. After a few more ups and downs, Pam and Jim officially started seeing each other. It was an absolutely heartwarming moment when Jim turned down the offer at the main New York office of Dunder Mifflin and drove back to Scranton, intervening with the cameraman and asking Pam, “Sorry. Um... are you free for dinner tonight?” Pam, confused for a minute, says, “Yes.” Jim responds, “All right. Then it's a date.” The rooftop grilled cheese dinner, the monsoon proposal at the supermarket, and the Plan C boat wedding were a few of the other wholesome moments the two love birds had. Jim had us grinning and gushing over their romance when he revealed, “The boat was actually Plan C, the church was Plan B, and Plan A was marrying her a long, long time ago. Pretty much the day I met her." Their innocent love, which is both extraordinary and relatable, raises the bar for all workplace romances across TV shows.

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Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago in the TV show: Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Only a handful of on-screen duos in TV shows have the same spontaneity and genuine chemistry as Jake and Amy from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Following the typical enemies-to-lovers trope, they nailed the whole office romance thing with their playful banters, mutual respect, and unwavering support for each other. Initially, Jake and Amy pranked, teased, and challenged one another in a playful yet competitive manner, both being extremely talented NYPD detectives at Brooklyn’s 99th precinct. However, it was during a case they were assigned together in Season 2, where they had to pretend to be a couple, that they not only grew closer but also shared their first real kiss. It was a turning point in their relationship, paving the way for a long romantic journey ahead. During their first vacation together on a week-long cruise, Jake and Amy confess their love for each other. At first, Jake, feeling overwhelmed, tried to lighten the room with one of his epic jokes, but then he reciprocated Amy’s feelings, committing to a full-blown love affair.

In Season 5, Episode 4, just when Amy thought she'd won the annual Halloween heist at the precinct, boasting to Jake in a spirit of camaraderie, “You see, Jake, I'm always gonna be one step ahead of you. You've lost the ability to surprise me,” Jake says, asking her to have a look at the cummerbund belt. To her surprise, it had an inscription on it that said, “Amy Santiago, will you marry me?” And that is how they got engaged at their workplace, how romantic, right? One of the best aspects of their bond was how they pushed each other to go after their individual dreams and aspirations. Jake and Amy always had each other's backs, even in their worst times. In the series finale, we see Jake retiring from the precinct to take on the role of a stay-at-home dad, encouraging Amy to pursue her career. This proves that they were not just in love, admiring and respecting one another, but that they functioned as a true team, which is one of the healthiest dynamics we've witnessed in TV shows.

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Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd in the TV show: Grey's Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy is one of the longest-running TV shows, and we have to thank the writers for introducing us to the legendary love story of Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd, a romance that became the most sensational plot in Television, keeping fans devoted to the series for years. Two accomplished doctors constantly navigating through the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives, yet finding their way back to each other, remains unforgettable even generations later. They embody the complexities and vulnerabilities of dating someone from your workplace. It seemed like their meeting was predestined. What was meant to be a one-night stand turned into something much more when Meredith realised that the man she spent a passionate night with was also her attending neurosurgeon at Seattle Grace Hospital. Together, Meredith and Derek overcame hurdles like love triangles, demanding career pursuits, and heartfelt losses. A significant strain in their relationship occurred when Meredith endangered Derek's Alzheimer's drug trial, which led them to break up for a brief time.

It was a very special moment when Derek proposed to Meredith in the elevator with pictures and scans of patients who played an important role in their journey, as a tribute to the life they built together. On their wedding day, Meredith and Derek struggled to find time for a proper ceremony amidst their hectic medical careers. Realizing their lives would always be this way, Derek suggested they exchange their vows right then and there. It was the sweetest moment in the entire series. “To love each other, even when we hate each other. No running—ever. Nobody walks out, no matter what happens. We'll take care of each other, even when we're old, smelly, and senile. This is forever.” And that is how Derek and Meredith pledged to love one another for the rest of their lives on a blue Post-it note, getting married in their own unconventional way, something we rarely see on TV shows. However, Derek's untimely death in Season 11 marked a tragic point in Meredith's life; still, his love continued to influence her even after he was gone.

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Mike Ross and Rachel Zane in the TV show Suits

Mike Ross and Rachel Zane were absolute workplace goals in the realm of TV shows. Their relationship blossomed amidst the cutthroat environment of corporate law in Suits, despite the challenges they faced due to their careers. We could feel the tension between the two from the very first season. As Mike, a bright man with a photographic memory but no formal education in law, arrives at Pearson Hardman, Rachel greets him and conducts his orientation. They shake hands, and Mike, without thinking, blurted, “Wow. You're pretty.” To this, Rachel instantly replied, "Good. You hit on me. We can get it out of the way that I am not interested." But we all know how the story actually turns out. Over time, their chemistry takes the form of a meaningful and intimate relationship through mutual respect and frequent flirting. From colleagues to close friends, to ultimately lovers, Mike and Rachel are the perfect example of an ideal couple in TV shows.

However, in Season 2, when Rachel finds out that Mike lied to her about having a Harvard degree, it causes a temporary rift between them. After the tumultuous period in their relationship, they come out stronger and closer than ever. Subsequently, Rachel's decision not to take up the Stanford offer and stay in New York to pursue law school, shows her deep love and commitment to Mike. Mike also encourages Rachel throughout her academic journey, and this makes it evident that they are literally each other's biggest cheerleaders and support systems. In Season 7, we see Mike and Rachel not only culminating their relationship into marriage but also running a legal clinic together in Seattle. It was a new chapter in their life that they had designed for themselves. Mike and Rachel are one of the most celebrated couples across TV shows.

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David Rose & Patrick Brewer in the TV show: Schitt's Creek

TV shows have covered many romances and affairs over the years, but very few have normalised queer love on screen. Schitt’s Creek is one such series, featuring David and Patrick as one of the most beloved couples on Television. They became business partners, running a refined retail store together when David first needed help with setting up his boutique named Rose Apothecary, in Season 3, and Patrick, with his sharp mind, swooped right in. It was David’s creative taste and Patrick’s practical approach that made them such a strong team. Soon, their business partnership evolved into a personal relationship, founded on shared values and dreams. After spending a wholesome birthday evening with Patrick, when David initiated a kiss for the first time, fans recall Patrick exclaiming, "I've never done that before with a guy.” It was the beginning of their romantic affair.

The proposal in Season 5 was simply iconic. After David spends the entire time complaining and expressing frustration on their hike to a scenic picnic spot, Patrick surprises him with four gold rings just like the the ones he usually wears. Kneeling on one knee, Patrick says, “So I used to come on this hike a lot when I first moved here, and I was developing feelings for this guy I had just gotten into business with…. And now, here he is. The love of my life, standing in front of me. And this just felt like the perfect place to ask you to marry me.” Their journey comes full circle with a beautiful wedding in the final episode of the series, symbolically titled “Happy Ending.” David and Patrick’s relationship was not only about grand romantic gestures but also about mutual understanding and deep communication. Their love story was a lot less complicated and a lot more inspiring than most of the heterosexual couples. The dynamic they shared is the definition of a healthy, evolving connection between two work buddies in TV shows.

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Workplace romances in TV shows bring together the thrill of ambition and the tenderness of love, making them irresistibly relatable and memorable. From secret glances across desks to heartfelt proposals and shared dreams, these on-screen couples remind us that love can truly blossom anywhere, even in the middle of office chaos. Whether it's the slow burn of Jim and Pam or the balanced bond of David and Patrick, these stories show that sometimes, the best partnerships begin with a shared project and end with forever.