35 Most Iconic Female Duos on Television, Ranked

Engaging character dynamics make up a huge amount of a television series’ entertainment value and dramatic pull, with some of the best shows ever made thriving off the back of central duos who define their series’ appeal to legions of fans around the world. It is easy to envision the likes of Tom and Jerry‘s feuding stars or the Winchester brothers in this regard, but there have been plenty of iconic girl duos in television as well.

From mother-daughter pairings like Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) in Gilmore Girls, to workplace BFFs like Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) in Grey’s Anatomy, these depictions of comraderie and compassion between women are among the best ever put to screen in any medium. They also offer ample proof that a well-written friendship between two characters can be just as rewarding as any romantic plot when executed well.

35. Cher Horowitz and Dionne “Dee” Davenport

‘Clueless’ (1996–1999)

A coming-of-age teen comedy series based on the film of the same name, Clueless follows the life of Cher Horowitz (Rachel Blanchard), a rich and popular high school girl from Beverly Hills, and how she navigates high school life, friendships, and the toils of adolescence. Created by Amy Heckerling, who also directed the original film, the sitcom Clueless focuses more on Cher’s friends and her dynamics with them.

Of Cher’s friendships, her relationship with Dionne “Dee” Davenport (Stacey Dash) occupies the most prominent space in the show’s narrative and remains central to this slice-of-life 90’s story. Dionne and Cher are very tight-knit friends and equally popular, but Dionne differs in aspects that define Cher. Dionne is well-spoken but also straightforward, refuses gender labels, and is less keen on using her popularity for anything. And yet, they complement each other, resulting in an enviable female friendship that becomes the key highlight of the show. —Maddie P

34. Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles

‘Rizzoli & Isles’ (2010–2016)

Based on the novel series of the same name by Tess Gerritson, Rizzoli & Isles offers all the comforting cliches of crime television mixed with a more contemporary touch that makes for one of TNT’s best television series. It focuses on the collaboration between a Boston homicide detective, Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon), and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) as they use their combined expertise and use their differing personalities to solve murders.

While critics were initially harsh on the series, their response did improve as the seasons went on, and the reception from the general audience was always solid, largely because of the titular duo’s chemistry. Bad-ass and brilliant, the duo is a crime-fighting tour de force throughout Rizzoli & Isles’ seven seasons, with many fans even buying into a romantic link between the characters on account of their strong bond and sense of loyalty to one another.

33. Ruby and Beth

‘Good Girls’ (2018–2021)

While television’s new age has seen many female-led series thrive, it has also seen some excellent shows with such a focus become somewhat underappreciated. While it ran for four seasons, Good Girls can be considered in that class, with the crime-comedy drama following three suburban mothers as they seek to combat their financial issues by carrying out a heist on a supermarket store, only to find themselves in an ever-worsening set of circumstances when their plan backfires.

While the trio is excellent, the series takes a keen focus on the bond between Beth (Christina Hendricks) and Ruby (Retta), with their shared desperation and depression an integral element throughout the four seasons. Their friendship and unwavering support of one another is the crux of the show, making them one of the most touching female duos television has ever seen.

32. Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge

‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)

As a camp and pulpy series rich with adolescent angst and overly dramatized depictions of high school politics, many of Riverdale’s defining duos are complicated romances or loaded rivalries. In the case of Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), however, they are sort of all of the above as well as occasional BFFs that are also, sometimes, mortal enemies.

While their shared romantic interest in Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) is used both as a wedge between the two characters as well as a commonality they share, the two girls form something of a bond throughout the series after Veronica arrives as the new girl in Riverdale at the start of the series. While Riverdale takes some overly ambitious narrative leaps, the tumultuous relationship between Betty and Veronica is always an enticing focus.

31. Issa Dee and Molly Carter

‘Insecure’ (2016–2021)

Modern, pointed, and revealing of the experience of many African American women in America, Insecure ran for five critically lauded seasons that explored a wonderful friendship in the midst of today’s society. Issa Rae, who also co-created the series, co-stars as a charity worker hoping to improve the lives of Black youths while navigating a tumultuous period in her relationship. Always supporting her is Molly (Yvonne Orji), a successful corporate attorney who experiences difficulties in her romantic life. Together, they navigate societal and racial issues prevalent in America.

Deftly balancing comedy, drama, and social commentary, the HBO series thrives off the back of its two central stars and the authenticity and immediacy of their bond. Able to pulverize stereotypes with wit and spirit, Insecure is sure to endure as a timely hit series that, in addition to containing contemplative comedy, also boasts one of the best examples of female friendship the small screen has seen in recent years.

30. Lucia Greco and Mia

‘The White Lotus’ (2021–)

The White Lotus has a show with a great ensemble full of fun and fascinating characters, but few hold a light to the lovable Mia (Beatrice Granno) and Lucia (Simona Tabasco). They start with Lucia having arranged a way for her to make some money off an American tourist, while Mia has a harder time engaging in being an escort.

As The White Lotus plays out, while the girls swindle men from their money, they grow closer and find ways to get the future they want. Lucia seduces the concierge, Valentina (Sabrina Imacciatore), to get a spot playing piano at the White Lotus Hotel, and Mia manages to trick a man into paying her tons. The two then walk away, likely the best off, and with their friendship still strong.

29. Rebecca Bunch and Paula Proctor

‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ (2015–2019)

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend contains many great friendships, but the one that truly takes the cake is the first friend Rebecca (Rachel Bloom) makes in West Covina, Paula (Donna Lynne Champlin). A musical romantic-comedy series, the show follows Rebecca Bunch, a successful though depressed woman in New York who, on the cusp of landing her dream job in a prestigious law firm, uproots her life and moves to California following a chance encounter with her high school boyfriend who she becomes determined to win back.

The thing is, Rebecca’s reasons for getting Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III) are to chase after a happier version of herself, being a younger version. Given that Rebecca’s mother was emotionally unavailable, Paula becomes the much-needed older sister, and Rebecca helps Paula feel reinvigorated by life, reconnecting her with the surrounding community.

28. Melissa Schemmento and Barbara Howard

‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021–)

A modern sitcom that has won over fans and critics alike through its first two seasons, Abbott Elementary has excelled as a hilarious and timely comedy series with an astute awareness of class divides and contemporary issues that befall people in the modern day. Set in a school with a predominately black student base, it follows a group of passionate teachers who strive to overcome all obstacles in their way to ensure their students are given a chance to succeed once they graduate.

As the two oldest teachers, Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) and Barbara Howard (Sheryl Le Ralph) are skeptical of the newer teachers, whose enthusiasm and belief that they can single-handedly fix Abbott is a tad off-putting. Their friendship, defined by humor and compassion in Abbott Elementary, lands as an emotional core of the series, which is set to expand with season three releasing early in 2024.

27. Anne and Diana

‘Anne with an E’ (2017–2019)

Adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery‘s 1908 classic children’s literature, Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an E tells the story of the titular protagonist, a bright, teenage orphan, who is adopted by an elderly brother-sister duo. The three-season-long series explores how Anne’s life dramatically changes when she is brought into the Cuthbert home and how she develops friendships and relationship dynamics with everyone in her life.

Even though the focus of the underrated period drama is on Anne (Amybeth McNulty), Anne with an E is also about Anne’s friendship with Diana Barry (Dalila Bela), which makes for an integral element of the series. In this coming-of-age drama, Anne and Diana are kindred spirits, bonding on shared imagination, fantasies, books, nature, and adventures. As the girls navigate the challenges of growing up in the 19th-century Canadian town, it evolves into a lifelong friendship, where they remain a positive influence on each other. —Maddie P

26. Fiona Gallagher and Veronica “V” Fisher

‘Shameless’ (2011–2021)

Many of the best and most empowering female friendships on television depict camaraderie and undying support with a sweet elegance that endears the characters to audiences. While Shameless may not be best described as conventionally sweet or elegant, it still boasts a meaningful bond between main character Fiona Gallagher (Emmy Rossum) and her best friend and neighbor Veronica “V” Fisher (Shanola Hampton).

Excelling at mixing the signature grit and confronting shock value of Shameless with a relationship established on mutual support that stays strong even when both characters hit their lowest points, Fiona and V’s friendship is one of the most earnest portrayals of friendship between women to have hit the small screen. Ranging from being outrageously funny to genuinely hostile, the series allows the characters to have their ups and downs, strengthening their bond with every test their relationship endures.

25. Jen Harding and Judy Hale

‘Dead to Me’ (2019–2022)

A morbid comedy which leans on the excellent performances of its two stars to deliver a funny and emotionally rewarding viewing experience, Dead to Me has become a quiet hit of modern comedy television. It follows the relationship that develops between Jen (Christina Applegate), a recently widowed real estate agent struggling to overcome her husband’s hit-and-run tragedy through positive practices, and Judy (Linda Cardellini), a divorcee Jen meets at a support group who claims to be grieving her fiancé’s death and is actually the one responsible for the hit-and-run which killed Jen’s husband.

Dealing with ghosts, regrets, and secrets from their pasts while trying to navigate the difficult road forward, both women are at their most compelling when at their most vulnerable. The series ran for three seasons, tying its success to the unconventional and complicated friendship that formed between Judy and Jen which was defined by a genuine and meaningful bond.

24. Robin Scherbatsky and Lily Aldrin

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)

Set in New York City, the series follows Ted (Josh Radnor), who narrates to his teenage children how he met their mother, recounting his life with his four friends, Marshall (Jason Segal), Lily (Alyson Hannigan), Robin (Cobie Smulders), and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). Though the plot focuses on Ted finding “the mother,” How I Met Your Mother is essentially about the interpersonal dynamics and friendships between the five characters, and is one of the best sitcoms of the 2000s.

Among the five friends of How I Met Your Mother, Robin Scherbatsky and Lily Aldrin’s friendship is one of the most notable (female) friendships. Robin becomes a part of the group when Ted gets attracted to her. But after they fall apart, a new friendship begins to blossom between Lily and Robin, even though the two women are class apart. Despite her tumultuous relationships with various people, Robin always finds a confidante in Lily, while Lily finds inspiration in Robin’s daring nature. —Maddie P

23. Ilana Wexler and Abby Abrams

‘Broad City’ (2014–2019)

Based on the web series of the same name which saw stars Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson star as fictionalized versions of themselves, Broad City was a refreshing hit of slacker comedy throughout its five-season run. It follows the two twenty-somethings through their life experiences and chaotic misadventures as they work low-paying jobs in New York City.

Taking inspiration from the duo’s real-life friendship and experiences as they tried to make it as filmmakers in New York, Broad City is a wonderful ode to female friendship which excels with the characters’ laid-back attitudes, wacky antics, and their unwavering moral support of each other. Ilana and Abbi may not be among the most lavish or strikingly successful female characters audiences have seen, but they are two of the most lovable, and they make for an underrated duo, defining of the social whirlwind many young adults find themselves in.

22. Miriam “Midge” Maisel and Susie Myerson

‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ (2017–2023)

A modern sensation of dramedy television, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won constant acclaim throughout its five-season tenure as it followed Miriam Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a young mother in the 1950s who, after being left by her husband, discovers she has a talent for stand-up comedy. Her excellence as a comic is recognized by Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein), the manager of The Gaslight Café who becomes Miriam’s manager and mentors her throughout her career.

With Amy Sherman-Palladino‘s trademark dialogue running with a fast-paced wit, Brosnahan and Borstein were given plenty of brilliant material to make their own, as their characters’ sweet though fraught friendship defined by their shared sense of humor and their love of good fun. Both actresses won multiple Primetime Emmys for their performances in the series which can be reflected as being one of the greatest television shows of the modern era.

21. Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell

‘Sister, Sister’ (1994–1999)

As part of the golden age of wholesome TGIF sitcoms, Sister, Sister was a 90s hit thanks to its two stars, real-life twin sisters, Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry. The actresses played Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell respectively, twin sisters separated at birth who reunite as teenagers with completely opposing personalities, with Tia an honest and respectable straight-A student, while Tamera is more impulsive and erratic with no qualms whatsoever about speaking her mind.

The odd-couple appeal of the series saw it become a lovable phenomenon, one which only grew more engaging and entertaining as the characters’ friendship in Sister, Sister grew stronger. Sister, Sister remains a beloved sitcom, thanks to the main characters and their wholesome complicity that cements them as one of the most iconic female duos on television.

20. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie

‘The Simple Life’ (2003–2007)

Even amid the meteoric rise of reality TV which transpired in the early 2000s, The Simple Life was a popular standout of the genre, one which was a major catalyst for the litany of celebrity lifestyle reality programs to follow. The series showcased two spoiled and vapid heiresses in Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, following the high-profile socialities as they undertake menial, low-paying jobs, from serving meals in fast food restaurants to working as farm hands.

There was an undeniable intelligence to the facades that Richie and Hilton put up, with the two women exaggerating their naive personas to make it all the more rewarding to see them forced into everyday jobs. Upon reflection, it is easy to see how they capitalized off a more overtly misogynistic culture of the time, playing up the dumb blonde stereotype with a brand of humor that made Hilton and Richie a hell of a lot of money and established them as an iconic television duo, one which has thrived in the social media age as reaction GIFs and memes.

19. Grace Hanson and Frances “Frankie” Bergstein

‘Grace and Frankie’ (2015–2022)

With Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin already established Hollywood icons long before they appeared together in Grace and Frankie, it is perhaps no surprise that the titular duo became as renowned as they did in the Netflix comedy series. The plot follows the two women who become best friends as their husbands announce that they are divorcing them and getting together as a gay couple.

The dynamic duo of Grace and Frankie is chaotic and hysterical. Tomlin’s erratic comedy is a perfect and much-appreciated match for Fonda’s acidic style, resulting in a beautifully balanced comedic duo that makes this show a brilliant and humorous take on adulthood and navigating one’s senior years. The plots were always wacky, but Fonda and Tomlin carried them with grace and dignity to the show’s benefit.

18. Jessica Day and Cece Parekh

‘New Girl’ (2011–2018)

Through all the ups and downs in relationships in the Fox series New Girl, best friends Cece (Hannah Simone) and Jess (Zooey Deschanel) stuck together through thick and thin. When a newly dumped Jess embarks on a search for roommates, she accidentally comes across three men to move in with, and while her friendship with them is arguably the center of the story, her friendship with Cece remains the most touching and relatable.

Jess spent her life in Cece’s shadow, always feeling like the ugly friend, but Cece never made Jess feel bad and always helped her feel beautiful. Meanwhile, Cece spent her life feeling valued only by her looks. Jess and Cece’s love for each other kept the series afloat, and through all their troubles with boys, their loyalty was always true.

17. Eleven and Max Mayfield

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–)

Following a series of supernatural events in the small American town of Hawkins in the 1980s, Stranger Things has found an incredible strength in its vast array of brilliant characters and the many dynamics that have been established between different groups. While it may not be the most prolific friendship in the series, the bond between Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Max (Sadie Sink) is one of the most important.

While Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and his group are great friends to Eleven, it is Max who presents her with an opportunity to connect with another girl her own age. Their bond is perhaps best displayed in the episode “The Mall Rats”, when Max helps Eleven navigate her relationship issues with Mike. The duo have been affectionately dubbed “Elmax” by some of the series’ fans.

16. Eve Polastri and Villanelle/Oksana Astankova

‘Killing Eve’ (2018–2022)

A BBC adaptation of Luke Jennings’s novel series, Villanelle, Killing Eve revolves around the titular characters, where Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) is an MI5 investigator on a mission to hunt down the dangerous psychopathic assassin, Villanelle aka Oksana Astankova (Jodie Comer). As the chase begins, Eve and Villanelle’s paths keep crossing, pushing each of them beyond their limits to outdo the other, turning a manhunt into an obsession.

One of the best British shows of recent years, this colorful spy-hunt story centers on the obsession, passion, and undefinable bonding between the two heroines, which is also the most appealing aspect of the show. Throughout the show’s four seasons, we see the evolution of Eve and Villanelle’s emotionally charged dynamics, from intense connections to violent (almost fatal) conflicts. Depicted through Oh and Comer’s brilliant on-screen chemistry, Killing Eve explores love, infatuation, and the destructive nature of obsessive relationships in a quirky and stylish narrative. —Maddie P

15. Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins

‘Parks and Recreation’ (2009–2015)

Parks and Recreation starts with a town hall meeting, where Leslie (Amy Poehler), a city employee, meets Ann (Rashida Jones), a citizen trying to fill a massive pit next to her home, and it’s love at first sight. Ann’s pragmatic and laid-back nature balances Leslie’s idealistic and workaholic nature.

Leslie is famously one of television’s most wholesome characters, and while her enthusiasm takes Ann aback, she’s also validated by it. Beyond that, Leslie emphasizes Ann’s best qualities, including her hard-working and caring nature as a nurse, and helps Ann feel affirmed in leaving relationships that hold her back. Ann makes sure to get Leslie to live a little, encouraging her to date, drink, and look up from her work to embrace her life beyond politics.

14. Serena van der Woodson and Blair Waldorf

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

As the beating heart of Gossip Girl, the friendship that Serena (Blake Lively) and Blair (Leighton Meester) share is a thorny one to say the least, erratically straying from tight-knit sisterhood to catty scheming in a manner that gave the series much of its intriguing appeal. Purposely excessive to the point of surrealism, the show explores the privileged lives of the teenagers on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with gripping melodrama and a treacherous web of social politics.

It also served as the major breakthrough for both of its stars, with Meester and Lively going on to become Hollywood stars thanks to their wonderfully iconic performances. Despite their numerous fights and often confrontational relationship, Blair and Serena had a genuine love for each other, making them one of modern television’s most famous female duos.

13. Amy Santiago and Rosa Diaz

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

The greatest gal pals in sitcoms make up many of the best female friendships the small screen has ever seen, and while the Brooklyn Nine-Nine duo may not be the first policewomen pairing to have made a cultural impact, their importance cannot be understated. In addition to being delightfully hilarious together, the duo marks a surprisingly rare example of a hit series running with two Latina leads.

There is a certain odd couple charm to the two characters, with Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) a strictly by-the-book detective who seeks the approval of her superiors, whereas Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) is a hard-edged rule-breaker prone to angry outbursts. Both characters are universally beloved by fans of the show, both individually and for their unlikely connection. Joyously, both actresses get along swimmingly, and have even recently launched a podcast together called “More Better with Stephanie & Melissa.”

12. Daenerys Targaryen and Missandei

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

With such a vast array of characters across its many interweaving stories, Game of Thrones has no shortage of exceptional duos. One of the best of the series was Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and her trusty advisor and translator, Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel). The pair come together in Season 3 when Daenerys makes a deal with the Good Masters of Astapor, deceiving them as they seek to trade a legion of the Unsullied for one of her dragons.

Outwitting the treacherous slave traders, Daenerys takes the soldiers by force and liberates the city’s slaves in the process, a swift move that sees Missandei voluntarily join her service. Through all the trials and ordeals Daenerys faces in her pursuit of the Iron Throne, Missandei remains one of her most loyal allies, and it is her execution that inspires Daenerys’ tirade of violence upon King’s Landing in the show’s final season.

11. Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–)

While Grey’s Anatomy may be known for its long-running and iconic romance between Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey), the first few seasons center around the friendships between the new interns. The most notable of these friendships on Grey’s Anatomy was between Meredith and Cristina (Sandra Oh), with the two facing off against unavoidable workplace tragedies together and helping one another as they must make great sacrifices to be the best surgeons they can possibly be.

The TV show is notorious for its constant heartbreak and death, and the romances and friendships remain the bright spots that keep the audience invested. While Meredith’s trials and tribulations in the dating world are fascinating, her friendship with Cristina, and the knowledge that, no matter what she goes through, she has someone to lean on, is the emotional centerpiece of the series.

10. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975–)

Amy Poehler has already appeared on this list with her credit as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation, but her comedic impact on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live alongside Tina Fey deserves special recognition. Many Weekend Update co-hosts have come and gone throughout the series’ near 50-year-long stint on television, but few have left as refreshing a mark on the show as Fey and Poehler.

As a comedy duo, Poehler and Fey were effortlessly spectacular together, sharing a sharp banter that was simultaneously familiar and subversive and new. Their shared sense of humor, and their understanding of one another as comedians, saw their skits work a treat consistently. Fey and Poehler developed a now-iconic friendship off-screen as well, leading them to headline two feature films together and co-host the Golden Globes on three separate occasions, cementing themselves as arguably the greatest comedy duo of the 21st century.

9. Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey

‘Cagney & Lacey’ (1981–1988)

A hit police procedural series that ran for seven seasons through the 1980s – and led to four follow-up TV films through the 1990s – Cagney & Lacey is one of the most memorable cop shows to feature women in prominent, starring roles. Ahead of its time, it became a cult hit for CBS as it followed Christine Cagney (Sharon Gless), a career-oriented woman, and Mary Beth Lacey (Tyne Daley), a married mother on the force, as they worked together to persevere in a male-dominated and misogynistic environment.

The characters’ relationship was a fascinating one to watch, as they weren’t necessarily friends with each other, but, with the demanding nature of their work on Cagney & Lacey and the fact they were isolated as women in the police force, they formed a partnership built on support, encouragement, and loyalty. Cagney & Lacey won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for six of its seven seasons, with Daley winning on four occasions, while Gless won twice.

8. Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson and Poussey Washington

‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013–2019)

Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir of the same name, Orange Is the New Black is a fictional recounting of Kerman’s personal experiences at a minimum-security federal prison. Taylor Schilling portrays Piper, imprisoned at the Litchfield Penitentiary, 10 years after she aided her drug smuggler friend, Alex. Besides Piper’s various challenges and experiences, the Emmy Award-winning Netflix original touches upon hard-hitting subjects like love, loss, human connection, and the harsh realities of prison life.

Of all the various interpersonal dynamics among the female inmates, the friendship between Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson (Danielle Brooks) and Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley) remains one of the best character arcs in Orange Is the New Black. The two women form a powerful and complex friendship during their sentence at the Litchfield Penitentiary, full of joys, hardships, and heartbreaks, solidifying into a lifelong bond. What forms a significant part of the show’s narrative, Taystee and Poussey prove how deeper connections can form in the most unexpected places and times. —Maddie P

7. Lorelai and Rory

‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000–2007)

Another iconic female duo from a show created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the mother-daughter pairing of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore as the idyllic relationship between a mother and her child with the duo confiding in each other and practically living as best friends. Gilmore Girls revolves around the unique relationship between the 32-year-old single mother and her teenage daughter living in the small and eclectic town of Stars Hollow.

A love letter to female dynamics in storytelling, and an underrated yet beautiful display of motherhood, Gilmore Girls ran for seven seasons with its sincerity and wit defining characteristics of the series. Through each of the protagonists, the show became a beloved hit that could appeal to adult audiences and younger viewers alike.

6. Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney

‘Laverne & Shirley’ (1976–1983)

Along with the Robin Williams‘ series Mork & Mindy which had its own, unique sci-fi quirk, Laverne & Shirley excelled as one of the best spin-off series from the hit 70s sitcom Happy Days. The series followed the titular duo in Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall) and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams), roommates and co-workers at the Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee who, despite being polar opposites in terms of their personalities, live as best friends who constantly lift each other’s spirits.

Made distinct by its physical comedy, Laverne & Shirley became a huge hit thanks to its two comic stars who elevated every storyline with the chemistry and energetic presence which made them television icons. The series ran for eight seasons in total, and it underwent an ambitious shift in season six as the two girls – and many of their neighborhood friends – moved to California with dreams of making it in the film industry.

5. Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern

‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ (1970–1977)

The Mary Tyler Moore Show is a milestone of female-led television, excelling in the era of second-wave feminism when independent women were seldom seen in entertainment. The now-legendary Mary Tyler Moore starred as Mary Richards, an unmarried, career-driven woman working as an associate producer of a local news show in Minneapolis in the 1970s. Valerie Harper played Rhoda Morgenstern, Mary’s best friend and upstairs neighbor.

Mary and Rhoda have one of television’s all-time great friendships. A classic opposites-attract story, the polite Mary and the brash Rhoda develop a close bond despite their obvious differences. Moore and Harper each won three Emmys for their roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but Mary and Rhoda’s influence goes beyond awards. The pair have become synonymous with friendship, securing their place in the annals of pop culture.

4. Buffy Summers and Willow Rosenberg

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

Throughout television history, there have been few shows as iconic as the teen fantasy action series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and few characters as renowned as its eponymous star, Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar). As such, it should come as no surprise that Buffy’s friendship with Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan), a young witch, stands as one of the most well-known and celebrated pairings that the small screen has seen.

With Buffy’s bristling confidence and somewhat underwhelming educational performance clashing with Willow’s introverted tendencies and her academic brilliance, the duo complement each other in interesting ways, yet are always bound by their mutual feelings of social isolation on account of their abilities. The friendship they form throughout the series underscores much of the humanity of the series, and re-affirms its standing as a progressive show that invests a great deal in all of its major female characters.

3. Monica Geller and Rachel Green

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

Running for 10 seasons through the 90s and early 2000s, Friends is as iconic and successful a sitcom ever put to air. Following six friends in New York City as they navigate the ups and downs of life, it is famous for its characters and the endearing dynamics between them. Among the best and most meaning friendships in the series is the one between Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox).

Living together in Season 1, Rachel and Monica share a balanced friendship of support and fun-loving misadventures as they help each other through their relationship and professional woes. The epitome of a modern BFF friendship, Rachel and Monica’s bond has endured to be as iconic as the series itself.

2. Fleabag and Claire

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

One of the most celebrated series of recent years, Fleabag thrived as an acidic, witty, and ferociously sharp dramedy following Fleabag’s (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) navigation of romance, life, and grief. One of its most famous aspects is the titular character’s budding relationship with The Priest (Andrew Scott), but it is actually the complicated and oddly sweet bond she shares with her sister that shines as the beating heart of the show.

Despite Fleabag‘s short run of just 12 episodes across two seasons, the series presents a poignant and beautiful story of Fleabag and Claire (Sian Clifford) getting closer as Claire starts developing feelings for a co-worker and confides in Fleabag. Wonderfully messy, painfully awkward at times, and derived from two complicated and imperfect yet wholly lovable characters, the relationship between Fleabag and Claire is one of the most brilliant and iconic in modern television.

1. Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz

‘I Love Lucy’ (1951–1957)

One of the most iconic titles in television history, I Love Lucy was a significant cultural milestone in a great many ways given it placed women at the center of a major comedy series in the starring role. It would go on to bring about more major changes in entertainment as well, breaking TV codes about on-air pregnancy and providing an unshakable platform for other out-of-the-box female characters all while serving as a stepping stone for positive female interactions in media, starting with Lucy (Lucille Ball) and her best friend, Ethel (Vivian Vance).

The series focuses on Lucy’s ceaseless efforts to break into showbiz despite lacking the skills to thrive in the industry, an endeavor that has a tendency to land her and her husband Ricky (Desi Arnaz) in trouble. Her friendship with Ethel was both empowering and vitally important, as the two women worked together not only in an effort to lead happy lives, but to pursue the jobs they wanted in a male-dominated world. I Love Lucy portrayed women being themselves and having their own comedic moments.

NEXT: The Best Movie Duos That Are Friendship Goals