TV's Best Current Friendships From Grey's, Severance, Matlock, The Rookie, Reacher, 9-1-1 And More

You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends, and these TV besties have struck gold.

In honor of International Friendship Day on July 30, TVLine is rounding up more than 15 of TV's best friendships. We've got loyal pals and nurturing confidantes from current shows such as Grey's Anatomy, The Rookie, Matlock, Bob's Burgers and Severance. 

These buddies lift one another up and stand by each other through life's ups and downs, from navigating college and medical school residency to tracking down deadly criminals. Plus, one duo even goes up against brain-severing science together! How's that for a bonding experience?

And because sometimes a friendship can't be contained to just two people, we've also singled out unbreakable trios from Grey's Anatomy and Sweet Magnolias. And remember: Our list only features shows that are still airing, so as much as we love them, perennial favorites like Broad City's Abbi and Ilana are not included.

Check out our picks below, then hit the comments to share your current fave BFFs that didn't make the cut!

17. Athena and Hen, 9-1-1

Not everyone in the 118 can be trusted with a secret (remember when Buck accidentally told those kids that Santa isn't real?), but Hen and Athena have always had each other's back. More importantly, they've always had each other's best interest at heart. We'd be happy to keep dropping in on their backyard chats forever. — Andy Swift

16. Barbara and Melissa, Abbott Elementary

The teachers on ABC's hit schoolhouse comedy are a tightknit bunch, but none are tighter than these two veteran educators, who know all the tricks of the trade by now — and use them to their full advantage. They bring out the best in each other, too: Melissa helps the pious Barbara loosen up, and Barbara helps the hot-tempered Melissa stay on the straight and narrow. The teachers' lounge would feel empty without them, wouldn't it? — Dave Nemetz

15. Helen and Sam, Black Doves

Trust doesn't come easy for spies and assassins, but these star-crossed besties keep showing up for each other, literally guns-a-blazing. Yes, their romantic lives range from hot mess to nonexistent, and sure, their enemies are heavily armed and annoyingly quippy, but Helen and Sam know they'll always have the one thing that truly matters... a platonic soulmate riding shotgun (blood spatter optional). — Jason Averett

14. Jimmy Jr. and Zeke, Bob's Burgers

Now and forever, Tina may see J-Ju as endgame. But even if she and her bootylicious crush were to get together (and stay together), they'd be hard-pressed to achieve the enviable #relationshipgoals that he and supportive pal Zeke already have. These two wrestle with anything but their feelings. — Charlie Mason

13. Alex and John, Cross

The lifelong friends and brothers in law enforcement are, in a hashtag, #goals, with the way they support each other professionally and personally. In fact, one of the aspects of the James Patterson novels that the Prime Video series best captures is that bond. — Matt Webb Mitovich

12. Matt and Karen, Daredevil: Born Again

Though their romantic spark may roar and wane, the fact that Karen raced from her new life in San Francisco to help Matt/Daredevil with his latest crusade is but the latest proof of their strong-as-vibranium bond. — M.W.M.

11. Ray and Manny, Dope Thief

Ray and Manny are literal partners in crime who both have a history of hardship, and it is these rough life experiences that have bonded them so tightly together. Loyal to each other to a fault, their friendship is put to the extreme test throughout Apple TV+'s miniseries. Though changing priorities and various demons attempt to pull them apart, Ray eventually realizes that Manny really is his true ride-or-die. — Nick Caruso

10. OA and Maggie, FBI

These two feds have been through a lot over the first seven seasons — and no matter how tough the going gets, each knows the other will offer a shoulder to lean on. Might/should they become something more? Sure, maybe. But to be honest, their friends-to-the-end-ship is our favorite thing about the show. — M.W.M.

9. Blue, Simone and Jules, Grey's Anatomy

Though their senses of humor are occasionally as cutting as a scalpel, there's ultimately no removing this trio of Grey Sloan residents from one another's sides. They push each other's buttons, push one another away, and yet when push comes to shove, they manage to pull together. Lucas, are you taking notes? — C.M.

8. Charlie and Tao, Heartstopper

Inseparable since the day they met — look at those baby faces! — Charlie and Tao have been there for one another through thick and thin. When the former needed protection from homophobes, the latter vowed to "crush them... verbally." And when Tao gets down on himself, Charlie is ever ready to act as an emotional pick-me-up. — C.M.

7. Billy and Sarah, Matlock

Already across one season, we have seen Olympia's young associates deal with septuagenarian "Matty" wedging herself into their world, all manner of romantic travails, Sarah's first client, and an untimely chipped tooth — all while always having each other's back. — M.W.M.

6. Carmen and Benny, Overcompensating

Moments after arriving at college for their freshman year, Benny and Carmen form an immediate and intense bond set to the beat of Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass." Though they sometimes struggle with their individual coming-of-age quirks, these two pals are always there for each other at the end of a long day — no matter how many weed brownies or buckets of fettuccine Alfredo try to take them down. — Claire Franken

5. Angela and Tim, The Rookie

Tim isn't much of a talker, and Angela always has plenty to say. That's one of the reasons why their friendship, which doesn't get nearly enough airtime, is so damn entertaining. Angela is a truth teller, and though Tim may argue the point, it's clear he quietly relishes her candid opinions on his (sometimes bone-headed) decisions. — M.W.M.

4. Reacher and Neagley, Reacher

Jack Reacher is, famously, a drifter and loner. People flit in and out of his nomadic life only to stir up drama, or offer him a fleeting romp. Frances Neagley, however, is one of precious few constants in the big lunk's life, someone he can always call on, and count on, for an assist. — M.W.M.

3. Asta and D'arcy, Resident Alien

Asta and D'arcy's deeply rooted friendship serves as one of the show's biggest emotional pillars. While the women do have (often complementary) differences, their long-time bond is forever solidified with undying loyalty and mutual empowerment. And in the rare instances when they find themselves at odds, the women's heartfelt communication skills and love for one another always heal all wounds. — N.C. 

2. Irving and Dylan, Severance

On the surface, these two don't have much in common — an uptight rule-follower and a rebellious smart-ass — but years of refining data together at Lumon have made Irving and Dylan thick as thieves. When Irving was unceremoniously fired, Dylan insists on throwing him a workplace funeral, declaring that "for the least fun guy in the world, he was really fun." We hope Irving's train ride isn't goodbye for good, because we'd miss hearing his banter with Dylan over the cubicle walls. — D.N.

1. Helen, Dana Sue and Maddie, Sweet Magnolias

"I believe there is not a problem that cannot be solved by having a drink and a talk with the two of you." Helen has put those Season 1 words to the test multiple times throughout Netflix's Sweet Magnolias, constantly meeting with Maddie and Dana Sue to drown their sorrows in a batch of margaritas. "Pour it out," indeed. — A.S.

Comment(s)

Recommended