If you are looking for shows with platonic friendships, then you will be surprised to find how many good options there are that celebrate the amazing bond. Capturing the male-female friendship minus the romantic angle hasn’t been very common, but there have been some iconic onscreen duos that have shown how pure this relationship can be. TV and web shows from varied genres have showcased characters that defined what true friendship means.
In recent times, shows such as Made In Heaven Season 2, which released its second season now, have also been great examples when it comes to exploring the beauty of a platonic friendship. In the past as well, popular shows such as Friends and others captured this dynamic in a meaningful manner. For those who are looking for examples of the best male-female friendships in shows, here’s a list that will certainly warm your heart.
7 Best Shows With Platonic Friendships Like Tara and Karan
Made In Heaven Season 2
Continuing on from its first season, the second one further explored the lead characters, Tara (Sobhita Dhulipala) and her business partner and best friend Karan’s (Arjun Mathur) dynamic. The duo, who have been with each other through thick and thin, also turn into roommates in the new season. The best part about the second season was also how deeply it delved into this friendship which isn’t devoid of its own problems.
Every friendship goes through a rough patch, and as we see Tara and Karan have a brief fallout in the show, we also see how it takes only a moment for them to apologise to each other and stay strong by one another’s side when in need. The duo cherish each other beyond any judgements and also call out each other when needed; it’s this representation that makes them one of the best platonic friendships explored in an Indian show.
Mismatched
Yet another Indian web series to bring a sweet male-female friendship to the screen was this one. The show’s first season began with the introduction of a beautiful platonic friendship between, Rishi (Rohit Saraf) and Namrata’s (Devyani Shorey) characters. The duo are each other’s confidantes when it comes to sharing their most intimate secrets, and it’s a bond worth celebrating. From Namrata helping out Rishi on his romantic quests to the duo working together as coursemates, this was one of the most authentic friendships onscreen. Namrata also feels comfortable opening up about her sexuality to Rishi, and that showcases how pure their bond is.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
This show may be a workplace comedy at its core, but there was so much more to explore in it because of the amazing characters. If there’s one friendship that stood out the most from the team of quirky detectives working together, it was Jake’s (Andy Samberg) and Rosa’s (Stephanie Beatriz) bond. The two not only make a kickass team while working together but also trust each other the most in any given matter.
Sure, Jake and Rosa may not have regular heart-to-heart exchanges, but the duo perfectly understood each other’s moods and made fans believe that they had the best platonic friendship on TV. Their opposite personalities, Jake’s outgoing nature and Diaz’s introverted attitude, made for the best combination. Despite being the non-touchy-feely person, we see Rosa hug Jake in a celebratory moment, and it’s definitely the most special moment shared by them.
Friends
Over ten seasons, we watched six friends go through several ups and downs and also find love amidst their gang, but it was Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and Phoebe’s (Lisa Kudrow) platonic friendship that won hearts all through. They are the quirky duo who always have each other’s back. From their matching creative energies to their deep understanding of each other, the two are at the top among the best friendships on TV.
While there are several iconic moments that can be celebrated about their friendship, the duo’s Vegas road trip and Joey acting as Phoebe’s dad during her wedding with Mike are among the sweetest moments that showcased their true friendship. This makes it a must-add to the list of shows with platonic friendships.
Ted Lasso
While fans assumed that there would eventually be a romantic angle introduced between the characters of Jason Sudeikis’s coach Ted Lasso and his boss Rebecca played Hannah Waddingham, the writers thankfully didn’t. Over the three seasons of the show, there was an amazing bond built between Ted and Rebecca, first as colleagues and later as friends. From discussing their difficult divorce to helping each other lift up during the most vulnerable moments, the duo showcased how beautiful platonic friendships can be. How the two went from individually struggling to being in each other’s comfort zones was a treat to watch. Without romantic chemistry, this duo defined a lovely friendship.
Grey’s Anatomy
The medical drama left fans confused with romantic storylines between several lead characters, but one of the purest friendships onscreen was seen between Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Alex (Justin Chambers). There were several moments on the show where we saw Meredith and Alex being each other’s rocks during the most difficult times. Among the several episodes that captured special moments between the two, one that stands out is certainly when Meredith is attacked by a patient. Alex goes through an emotional time while tending to her, and we see him sitting by her bedside. In the most telling moments too, Alex was the first person we saw Meredith truly confide in about how she was feeling.
How I Met Your Mother
Another one on the list of shows with platonic friendships on TV would also have to be the duo of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan). Their friendship dates back to college, and it’s endearing how Ted formed a close friendship with his roommate’s girlfriend. Their bond is wholesome in every way, and several moments on the show had Ted finding Lily to be the best person to confide in drug his difficult moments. Lily was also shown to be extra protective when it comes to Ted. Lily supports Ted through the whole show, even during his silliest moments, and that’s what true friends are.
Which platonic friendship from shows is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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