TV Shows That Ruined Celebrity Relationships main image
Scroll Down To Continue

TV Shows That Ruined Celebrity Relationships

In the world of entertainment, the spotlight can be both a blessing and a curse. For many celebrities, their work on television not only boosts their careers but also impacts their lives off-screen in deeply personal ways. Many TV costars end up dating, or will be in a relationship before filming and think it's a good idea to star in a drama together... Unfortunately for them, Hollywood's high-pressure environment, demanding schedules and intense public scrutiny can strain even the strongest relationships.

Today, we will delve into the stories of well-known celebrity couples whose relationships were tested and ultimately shattered by the very TV shows that made them famous. From on-set romances gone wrong to the overwhelming stress of dating a celebrity, these tales are a stark reminder of the personal costs of fame.

We'll explore 15 cases where on-screen romance turned to real-life heartbreak. Was it the pressure of portraying a perfect couple that pushed things apart? Did sizzling on-screen chemistry lead to off-screen complications? Buckle up as we uncover the behind-the-scenes drama that turned happily ever afters into Hollywood history.

Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl

Blake Lively and Penn Badgley's relationship is an interesting case of young love. They met on the set of Gossip Girl playing the iconic on-again, off-again couple Serena van der Woodsen and Dan Humphrey. Sparks flew in real life, too, and they reportedly started dating in 2007, though they were initially private about it. Their romance lasted for about three years.

.

Their split happened when Badgley was grappling with the sudden fame of Gossip Girl. He's actually credited Blake with helping him navigate that challenging time, mentioning she influenced him to avoid unhealthy habits. While details of the breakup remain private, it seems they managed to maintain a professional relationship. They continued to work together on Gossip Girl for a while after splitting, which speaks to their maturity. 

Warner Bros. Television/The CW

Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time

Tom Ellis's first marriage reportedly ended due to an affair with co-star Emilie de Ravin on the set of Once Upon a Time. The pair met while filming the fantasy series where Ellis played Robin Hood and de Ravin portrayed Belle from Beauty and the Beast

Reports suggest they were a brief fling, but Tom Ellis was married to actress Tamzin Outhwaite. News of the affair surfaced in 2013, leading to Outhwaite filing for divorce, citing adultery. Ellis has since remarried, and both actors have moved on in their personal lives.

ABC Studios/Kitsis/Horowitz/ABC

Yellowstone

Yellowstone

In June 2021, after being married to Anna Axster for 12 years, Yellowstone heartthrob Ryan Bingham initiated divorce proceedings to pursue his co-star Hassie Harrison. It seems that falling in love on the open range is a real possibility! Fans had suspected that the two were secretly dating for a while, as Harrison and Bingham seemed to be a little more than friendly on social media, and now they finally have their confirmation.

Two years later in April of 2023, the happy couple finally made their relationship public with an Instagram post that showed the two kissing in front of a giant bonfire. And now, they're married! 

Bosque Ranch Productions/Treehouse Films/101 Studios/MTV Entertainment Studios/Paramount Network

One Tree Hill

One Tree Hill

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray met in 2003 when they were both cast in One Tree Hill, a teen drama where their characters, Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott, were the central love triangle. Their real-life relationship escalated quickly, and they got engaged in 2004, just a year after meeting, and married in April 2005.

They separated just five months later and their divorce was finalized in 2006.  Sources speculate that the intense pressure of filming a teen drama while in a young, passionate relationship might have contributed to the strain, and it was probably very difficult to work together after the split. 

 

Tollin/Robbins Productions/Warner Bros. Television/The WB/The CW

The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder dated while filming The Vampire Diaries, where they played Elena and Damon, respectively. Their fictional personas also sparked a romance, which contributed to their on-screen chemistry but also caused tension when they broke up.

They dated for about 3 years before splitting amicably, citing that they simply wanted different things in life. There's no bad blood, and they continued to act together on the show before Dobrev left in season .6 

Outerbanks Entertainment/Warner Bros. Television/The CW

Dexter

Dexter

Dexter co-stars Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter got married in 2008 but divorced in 2011, which coincided with their on-screen characters' complex relationship on the show. They met in 2006 while filming the hit Showtime series, with Hall playing the complex protagonist Dexter Morgan and Carpenter portraying his adoptive sister, Debra.

They eloped on New Year's Eve in 2008, but their marriage only lasted for two years.  In 2010, they announced their separation, finalizing the divorce in December 2011 due to demanding Hollywood schedules. Despite the divorce, there are no reports of animosity. They've reportedly remained good friends and even worked together again on the Dexter finale in 2013.

John Goldwyn Productions/Showtime Networks/Showtime

Big Bang Theory

Big Bang Theory

Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki first met in 2007 when they were cast as Penny and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and it turns out, it wasn't just acting. They kept their relationship relatively private, dating for almost two years before calling it quits in late 2009.

According to People, they broke up due to wanting different things in life. Luckily, they were able to continue acting as a couple, and their characters even went on to get married!

 

Chuck Lorre Productions/Warner Bros. Television/CBS

Lost

Lost

Lost actors Dominic Monaghan (Charlie Pace) and Evangeline Lilly (Kate Austen) were cast in the show in 2004. Their on-screen chemistry reportedly translated into a real-life romance as they dated for several years. Monaghan admitted that it was a serious relationship. 

There were even discussions about marriage and starting a family. Sadly, the romance wasn't meant to last. They broke up in 2007 after roughly three years together. Monaghan has opened up about his struggles with partying and alcohol during that time, which he believes contributed to the split.

Bad Robot/ABC Studios/ABC

Mad Men

Mad Men

John Hamm, AKA Don Draper on Mad Men, had a long-term relationship with actress and screenwriter Jennifer Westfelt. The couple met at a party in 1997 and quickly became inseparable. They were together for 18 years, but their relationship faced significant challenges as Mad Men progressed, especially during the final year of the show's filming.

The intense demands of Hamm's role and the pressures of maintaining a high-profile relationship began to take a toll. In 2015, just as Mad Men was wrapping up its final season, Hamm and Westfelt announced their split. They released a joint statement, expressing their deep respect and love for each other but acknowledging that their paths had diverged. 

Weiner Bros. Productions/Lionsgate Television/AMC

Dawson's Creek

Dawson's Creek

Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson sparked a romance in real life after meeting on the set of Dawson's Creek in the late '90s. It's believed they dated for around two years, though things got interesting due to the show's storyline. 

 

Their characters, Joey and Pacey, didn't become a romantic couple on the show until later seasons.  So, Holmes and Jackson dated in real life before their characters ever did! Both actors have spoken fondly of each other after the breakup. In fact, Holmes reportedly reached out to Jackson for support after her split from Tom Cruise.

Columbia TriStar Television/Sony Pictures Television/The WB

Madam Secretary

Madam Secretary

Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's marriage reportedly faced issues during her time on Madam Secretary. They met in 1997 and married quickly after a whirlwind romance. They didn't work together, but there are reports that working on separate shows, particularly Leoni's demanding role as Elizabeth McCord, may have put a strain on their marriage. 

Leoni reportedly shouldered a heavier workload while raising their children. In reality, Duchovny allegedly struggled with addiction, and they separated in 2008 when he entered rehab.  They reconciled but separated again in 2011 and eventually filed for divorce in 2014.

Barbra Hall Productions/Revelations Entertainment/CBS Television Studios/CBS ; (Gage Skidmore/David Duchovny/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED/Flickr)

Melrose Place

Melrose Place

Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora met in 1994 through mutual friends while Locklear was in New York for promotion. Despite the distance (Locklear in LA, Sambora on the East Coast), a whirlwind romance blossomed. They tied the knot in Paris in December 1994.

Sadly, they split in 2007 due to Sambora's substance abuse struggles, but some people are curious if Locklear's chemistry with Melrose Place co-star Jack Wagner had something to do with it. Their on-screen characters didn't have a major romance, but the actors hit it off in real life, and the pair dated after Locklear's split from Sambora, even getting engaged in 2011.

Darren Star Productions/Spelling Television/Fox ; (David Shankbone/Richie Sambora by David Shankbone/PDM 1.0 DEED/Flickr)

Empire

Empire

Terrence Howard, known for his role as Lucious Lyon on the hit TV series "Empire," had a complex relationship with Miranda Pak. The couple first met in 2013 at a restaurant where Pak was working as a model and hostess. They quickly connected and got married in 2013, shortly after they started dating.

However, Howard's demanding career, particularly his time on Empire put significant strain on their relationship. The intense filming schedule, coupled with the pressures of fame, contributed to their marital difficulties. In 2015, the couple decided to divorce, but their relationship took another surprising turn when they reconciled in 2018. 

Imagine Television/20th Television/Fox ; Tibrina Hobson/WireImage/Getty Images

Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives

Eva Longoria's marriage to Tony Parker reportedly faced issues during her time on Desperate Housewives, leading to their divorce in 2011 amidst rumors of infidelity. Some people speculated that her various on-screen romances with characters Carlos Solis, John Rowland, Victor Lang, and William Delfino caused strain, but it was actually Parker's fault!

It was "lust at first sight" in 2004, and after a brief split in 2006, they got engaged and married. Eva often showed her support for Tony, even getting his jersey number tattooed on her neck! Their seemingly perfect marriage faced challenges, and after three years together, Eva filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences." Reports later emerged that Tony had been unfaithful, though this was never confirmed.

Cherry Productions/ABC Studios/ABC ; (Zereshk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Grey's Antomy

Grey's Antomy

Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo's on-screen chemistry as Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy was nothing short of electric. Their portrayal of the iconic couple, often referred to as "MerDer," captivated audiences and became one of the defining elements of the show. Their deep emotional connection and compelling storyline drew fans in and made their romance one of the most beloved in television history.

Patrick Dempsey left "Grey's Anatomy" in 2015, much to the dismay of fans. Rumors circulated that behind-the-scenes tensions and the difficulties balancing his personal life with the demands of the show also played a role in his exit. The official reason was so he could spend more time with his family, i.e., his real wife, Jillian Fink. We can't help but assume that his on-screen chemistry caused real-life problems for his relationship. 

Shondaland/Lionsgate Television/ABC Signature/ABC