12 TV Show Relationships That Were Toxic Nightmares

TV shows love to throw messy relationships at us, hooking viewers with drama that’s hard to look away from. But some couples cross the line from complicated to downright toxic, leaving fans frustrated or horrified.

These pairings, whether driven by betrayal, manipulation, or unhealthy obsession, stand out for all the wrong reasons. Here are the 12 most toxic TV show relationships, ranked from bad to utterly disastrous.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007-2012)

Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf

The Upper East Side’s power couple thrives on manipulation and power games. Chuck’s controlling behavior, like trading Blair for a hotel deal, and Blair’s scheming make their romance a toxic rollercoaster.

Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester have electric chemistry, but their characters’ constant betrayals and emotional abuse overshadow any love. Fans rooted for them, but the cost was steep.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008-2013)

Walter White and Skyler White

Walter’s descent into a drug kingpin poisons his marriage with Skyler. His lies and gaslighting push her into fear and complicity, while her own choices, like laundering money, trap them in a toxic cycle.

Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn deliver gripping performances, but their relationship’s dishonesty and power struggles make it suffocating. It’s a slow-motion train wreck.

‘Mad Men’ (2007-2015)

Don Draper and Betty Draper

Don’s serial cheating and Betty’s icy resentment define their doomed marriage. His secrecy and her passive-aggressive jabs create a home filled with mistrust and emotional distance.

Jon Hamm and January Jones portray a glamorous but broken couple. Their inability to communicate or grow together makes every scene feel like a cold war.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009-2017)

Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert

Damon’s obsessive love for Elena often veers into controlling territory, like compelling her to forget key moments or lashing out violently. Elena’s indecision fuels their chaotic back-and-forth.

Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev spark on screen, but Damon’s toxic traits—like disrespecting Elena’s choices—make their romance unhealthy. It’s passion with a dark edge.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2010-2017)

Ezra Fitz and Aria Montgomery

Ezra, a teacher, dates his teenage student Aria, starting their relationship with a massive power imbalance. His secret stalking of her for a book adds a creepy layer of deception.

Ian Harding and Lucy Hale sell the romance, but the teacher-student dynamic and Ezra’s lies make it unsettling. Fans cringed at how the show glossed over the red flags.

‘You’ (2018-2024)

Joe Goldberg and Love Quinn

Joe’s obsessive stalking meets its match in Love, a murderer as unhinged as he is. Their mutual manipulation, jealousy, and body count turn their love into a deadly game of one-upmanship.

Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti make the chaos compelling, but their relationship’s violence and distrust scream toxicity. It’s a match made in a nightmare.

‘Riverdale’ (2017-2023)

Archie Andrews and Veronica Lodge

Archie and Veronica’s on-again, off-again romance is plagued by infidelity and drama. Veronica’s ties to her shady family and Archie’s reckless choices keep them in a cycle of mistrust.

KJ Apa and Camila Mendes have charm, but their characters’ constant breakups and poor communication feel exhausting. Their love story often feels more like a soap opera trap.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005-2014)

Ted Mosby and Robin Scherbatsky

Ted’s relentless pursuit of Robin, despite her clear disinterest in commitment, creates an unhealthy dynamic. His idealizing her and ignoring their incompatibilities drags out their pain.

Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders carry the show’s heart, but Ted’s obsession and Robin’s mixed signals make their relationship toxic. Fans groaned at their endless will-they-won’t-they.

‘The Office’ (2005-2013)

Ryan Howard and Kelly Kapoor

Ryan and Kelly’s relationship is a mess of immaturity and manipulation. Ryan’s indifference and Kelly’s clingy, dramatic outbursts keep them in a dysfunctional loop of breakups and makeups.

B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling play it for laughs, but their characters’ selfishness and volatility make them a grating pair. Their chaos is funny until it’s just sad.

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997-2003)

Buffy Summers and Spike

Spike’s obsessive love for Buffy starts with stalking and spirals into darker territory, like his attempt to assault her. Even as their dynamic evolves, the power imbalances and violence linger.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and James Marsters have intense chemistry, but Spike’s toxic behavior and Buffy’s unhealthy attachment make it hard to root for them. It’s a love story with too many scars.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)

Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow

Jon and Daenerys’s romance is doomed by their conflicting loyalties and eventual betrayal. Her descent into tyranny and his moral rigidity lead to manipulation and a tragic end.

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington try to sell the passion, but their incestuous connection and mutual distrust make it deeply uncomfortable. Fans hated how it unraveled.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005-present)

Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd

Derek’s controlling tendencies and Meredith’s self-destructive streak fuel a rollercoaster of breakups, ultimatums, and emotional manipulation. Their love is intense but often unhealthy.

Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey make them iconic, but Derek’s arrogance and Meredith’s dependency create a toxic push-pull. Fans loved them, yet the cracks were always there.

Which TV couple’s toxicity shocked you the most, or did I miss a disastrous duo? Drop your thoughts in the comments!