Break-ups are equally as messy in real life as they are on TV shows.
It’s rare to see exes who remain friends after choosing to put an end to the romantic nature of their relationship.
However, there are a handful of former couples that have gotten away with it.
We’d like to think that one day, we too can be just as friendly with some of our exes as Liza and Josh on Younger or Elena and Stefan on The Vampire Diaries.
Peep our list of couples that prove you don’t have to hate your ex, then, make sure to comment with any additions!
Josh and Liza – Younger
Josh and Liza may be the friendliest exes to ever walk the planet. Whenever he needs her, she’s there to be to offer a shoulder to cry on, impart some “been there, done that” wisdom, or set him up with the cute Irish lad at the bar. They’ve grasped that they are moving on from something really intimate and accept the hurt simply to be in each other’s lives. Granted, Josh is still into Liza and thus, holding out hope for a reconciliation, but none of that is an issue for her. And she’s super understanding about his living arrangements with her besties Kelsey and Lauren and his bond with her soul-sister, Maggie.
Peyton and Nathan – One Tree Hill
Peyton and Nathan dated briefly and though there were good times, the majority of their relationship could be described as toxic. They were always better off as friends which is why they held no resentment for each other. In fact, Peyton became best friends with Nathan’s wife Hailey and married his step-brother, Lucas!
Serena and Dan – Gossip Girl
Serena and Dan may have gotten their happily ever after but it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows between them. This is the Upper-East side, after all, so everything was an obstacle from the realization that they were from two different worlds to the romantic history linking their parents. But somehow, they always found a way to be supportive of each other.
Caroline and Matt – The Vampire Diaries
Caroline and Matt may not have worked out because dating a vampire when you are solely anti-vampires is a recipe for disaster, but in a small town like Mystic Falls, everyone keeps on keeping on. The two were able to form a close friendship eventually and remained friends long after the series ended. Going into the spin-off Legacies, they are one of the few “original” characters still living and hopefully, re-living old times.
Alex and Ryan – Quantico
When your ex is also your partner in the FBI, you’re naturally forced to remain cordial. Alex and Ryan always cared for each other even after he married her best friend, Shelby. Honestly, Alex’s tolerance meant that Ryan was never supposed to be her soulmate.
Dan and Chloe – Lucifer
The saying “opposites attract” exists because it’s entirely possible for two people not to work out because they are too similar. Dan and Chloe were both too attached to their jobs, often putting all the TLC into their cases and not their relationship. They’ve come to understand that there is still room to be friends and even give each other relationship advice on occasion.
Mon-El and Kara – Supergirl
Mon-El was Kara’s greatest love which is why she was able to remain cool when he returned from the future a married man. Kara’s greatest powers as a superhero include: being sweet and helpful to her ex’s new wife, Imra, being understanding enough to have a heart-to-heart with him as they did back in the day, and working alongside him for the greater good of planet Earth.
Petra and Rafael – Jane the Virgin
The former husband-and-wife duo remained friends following their split and even continued on with their hotel business. Though they gave their relationship a few tries, they eventually realized that they were better off as friends. Rafael was so understanding of Petra, he wasn’t even scared away when she inseminated herself with his sperm without his consent. And when she began having feelings for a woman, he was the one who encouraged her to follow her heart.
Nic and Conrad – The Resident
Nic and Conrad weren’t together for the larger part of season one, however, they remained civil and worked well together to save lives. Later, we found out the rift between them was caused by a miscarriage and Conrad’s inability to express his emotions following his time in Afghanistan. They may be giving their relationship another go now, but they’ve already proved that regardless of what happens, they are friends first and lovers second.
Ruzek and Burgess – Chicago PD
Ruzek and Burgess’ relationship was short-lived. Fans want them back together and maybe one day it will happen, but for now, they are supporting each other, dating other people and focusing on their careers. Since calling off the wedding, neither held any resentment towards the other because they weren’t ready for that next step. Burgess calling it off was a chance for both of them to reassess the relationship and strengthen their foundation as friends.
Mellie and Fitz – Scandal
It takes a strong woman to stay with a man, specifically the President of the United States, when he has a mistress. It takes an even stronger woman to later befriend the mistress and work alongside her during her own monumental Presidency. In summation, Mellie was one strong woman who accepted that their love story fizzled out and their relationship entered a platonic phase. Fitz was the only one who understood the difficulties of holding the Oval office and he offered guidance and support throughout her run.
FP and Alice – Riverdale
FP and Alice weren’t always on friendly terms, however, they found their way back to each other after their children Betty and Jughead began dating. FP helped Alice tear down her overprotective wall and helped her connect with her inner-Serpent again. Sure, there is still major chemistry between them, but for now, they remain friends who keep each other sane in this dark town.
Elena and Stefan – The Vampire Diaries
Though it initially seemed like Elena and Stefan were soulmates, she later fell for his bad boy brother, Damon. Stefan was beyond understanding and remained a positive force in Elena’s trusted circle. Eventually, he sacrificed himself and his happiness with Caroline so that Damon and Elena could be together again.
Michaela and Jared – Manifest
Michaela and Jared’s relationship is more complicated than the usual break-up because he assumed she was dead when her flight, Flight 828, went missing for five-and-a-half years. Now that she’s “returned from the dead,” the former partners are trying their best not to act on lingering feelings since he moved on and married her best friend, Lourdes. However, it doesn’t help that he’s remained a supportive force in her recovery and assimilation.
Liv and Major – iZombie
Liv and Major had a promising future ahead of them until one day she became a zombie. Since then, there have been ups and downs in their relationship, but regardless of what transpires — Liv becoming Renegade, Major becoming a Major Graves soldier — they value their friendship too much to ever turn their backs on each other.
Caleb and Hannah – Pretty Little Liars
A five-year time jump revealed a heartbreaking split between everyone’s favorite couple, Caleb and Hannah. Still, the two remained friendly and cordial even when Caleb began dating Hannah’s best friend, Spencer. Eventually, their roads led them back to each other because what’s meant to be will always find it’s way back.
Abby and Jake – Girlfriends Guide to Divorce
This is what Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin had in mind when they unconsciously uncoupled. The writers understood all too well that divorce is hard and messy. Jake and Abby went from being estranged as could be to redefining their relationship with acceptance and tolerance. They even reached a point where they looked back on their failed relationship fondly and agreed that there were some “really good times.”
Ted and Robin – How I Met Your Mother
Ted and Robin’s break-up was amicable as they both realized they wanted different things out of life and they weren’t ready to make any compromises. They remained close friends throughout the rest of the season even becoming roommates at one point. Robin also remained an important figure to Ted’s future children who knew her best as “Aunt Robin.”
Jules and Bobby – Cougar Town
Sometimes, relationships work out better after a divorce is complete. As was the case for Jules and Bobby who became amiable exes and co-parents. Following their split, they hung out together all the time and got along better than before.
Ed and Kelly – The Orville
Feelings of regret following the affair motivated Kelly to patch up her platonic relationship with Ed. Their relationship went through many stages but the affection was always a constant. Oftentimes, it’s better not to entertain the idea of getting back together, but working with an ex may lead to renewed feelings and lots of “will they or won’t they” moments.
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