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11 Shows That Became Unbearably Awkward When Actors Started Dating In Real Life

written by Louise Everitt
11 Shows That Became Unbearably Awkward When Actors Started Dating In Real Life
Image credit: Legion-Media, Universal Television, Warner Bros. Television

With love, breakups, and endless drama, these shows prove that sometimes reality is stranger (and way more awkward) than fiction.

True Blood

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Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer heated up our screens as Sookie and Bill. They took their on-screen romance off-screen, leading to a real-life marriage. When their characters split, however, fans were left uncomfortably watching ex-lovers engage in blood-sucking warfare. "Fang-tastically" awkward, am I right?

The Vampire Diaries

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The intense on-screen chemistry between Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder was no Hollywood trick. After confirming they were dating in 2011, their blossoming off-screen romance kept viewers swooning. But when they split in 2013 while still filming, things got awkward. Suddenly, watching "Delena" felt more like eavesdropping on a couple's therapy session rather than losing ourselves in a supernatural love story. Props to them for sticking it out professionally, though!

Gossip Girl

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Spotted: Blake Lively and Penn Badgley sharing a canoodle on set! These two played high school sweethearts Serena and Dan in the series. Their real-life romance mirrored their characters', until they split in 2010. From then on, every shared smirk felt like a jab and every romantic scene made fans squirm in their seats. xoxo, Awkward Girl!

The Big Bang Theory

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Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki portrayed Penny and Leonard, the iconic nerd-hot girl duo. They dated for two years in secret, because apparently, the universe couldn't handle that much adorableness. However, when their off-screen romance fizzled, so did the on-screen chemistry. Watching their scenes became less "Bazinga!" and more "Bazing-awkward."

Dawson's Creek

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Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson, who played Joey and Pacey, dated during the first season. Sadly, when they broke up, the angsty teen drama turned into an angsty behind-the-scenes drama. Let's just say watching Joey choose Pacey over Dawson became a whole lot more cringeworthy.

Once Upon a Time

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Jennifer Morrison and Sebastian Stan, who played Emma and the Mad Hatter, got together in real life. When their off-screen romance went off the rails, though, it made for some seriously uncomfortable scenes. It's one thing to try to make a relationship work, but doing it in front of a camera while one of you is wearing a ludicrously large hat? Now that's commitment to awkwardness!

Riverdale

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When Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse, who play Betty and Jughead, confirmed their off-screen romance, "Bughead" fans couldn't have been happier. But the split in 2020 made Riverdale High a little too realistic for comfort. Their on-screen breakups suddenly felt like we were peeking into their real-life breakup diaries. At least they didn't have to do it while solving the town's umpteenth murder mystery, right?

One Tree Hill

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In the small town of Tree Hill, everyone's business is everyone else's. This was true off-screen as well, especially when Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush (Lucas and Brooke) had a whirlwind romance, marriage, and then a painful divorce. Their on-screen chemistry was replaced by a palpable tension, and every shared scene felt like an awkward family reunion.

Felicity

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Who said college isn't complicated? Scott Foley and Keri Russell, who played Noel and Felicity, dated in real life and their on-screen chemistry was undeniable. However, after their breakup, Felicity's infamous haircut wasn't the only thing fans were talking about. Watching Noel and Felicity interact was like sitting through a break-up lunch. Pro tip: Don't do it!

The Office ( US)

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You might have missed this one! Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak, who played Kelly and Ryan, had a complicated off-screen romance much like their on-screen counterparts. Their real-life breakup added another layer of discomfort to Kelly and Ryan's toxic relationship. It was like watching your work friends break up at the office Christmas party—no one needed that extra serving of awkwardness.

Gilmore Girls

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Alexis Bledel and Milo Ventimiglia, who played Rory and Jess, brought their on-screen romance to life. However, after their breakup, Stars Hollow's town meetings got a little more tense. Watching Rory and Jess dance around their feelings was like watching two people avoiding each other at a small-town bake sale.