As we wrap up another year and reflect on all of the great love stories we've watched, some couples just stand out. We want to see more of the couples who go through real problems and find their way back to each other. There is something relatable that we often see in our favorite characters, and sometimes we feel comfort in knowing we're not the only ones dealing with a particular relationship struggle.
While there are certainly shows and movies that warrant us cheering for a woman to 'choose herself' or feeling relief when a toxic TV romance ends, here are a few romances that we hope to see return in 2026.
Noah and Joanne (Nobody Wants This)
Who are we kidding, we all want this to work out! Religious differences are not a small hiccup to get past in a relationship — they can be extremely divisive. In Noah and Joanne’s case, as much as they tried not to give each other an ultimatum, fate kind of led them there — more than once.
The couple fell hard and fast in love, though most of Noah’s family and friends felt like Joanne was a rebound from Noah’s ex-fiancé. He doesn’t seem to think so, but Joanne can’t help but second guess if Noah’s ex, Rebecca, was a better match. She seemed perfect, and she is Jewish, unlike Joanne.
Nobody Wants This season 2 just ended, but we’re already ready for season 3, and we’re also curious about how things will unfold with Noah and Joanne’s siblings, Sasha and Morgan. Sasha and his wife, Ester, seem to be on the brink of a separation in the season 2 finale. Will they rekindle their romance, or will they call it quits?
Morgan has tried to keep a friendly distance from Sasha, but will their paths bring them to each other romantically, or will they just remain friends? We have so many unanswered questions, but we’re rooting for true love to prevail (whatever that looks like). The odds of getting season 3 in 2026 aren’t completely shot, but if it happens, it’d probably be at the end of the year.
Belly and Conrad (The Summer I Turned Pretty)
Fans have been promised a Bonrad movie by Prime Video, and we haven’t forgotten! It may be Christmas time, but we’re still mentally at the Cousins Beach house, waiting for Conrad and Belly to have their happily ever after. Fans waited obnoxiously long for the storyline to bring the couple back together after a long breakup, but now that #TeamConrad got what they wanted, we’re ready to have more screen time dedicated to Belly and Conrad as a couple.
We haven’t lost hope for Jeremiah, either. Fans want him to be happy too, just not with Belly! Could things continue with Denise? Only time will tell, and since there is no book to drive the storyline, everything will come as a surprise. While we’re anticipating a summer release, no premiere date has been confirmed yet for The Summer I Turned Pretty. Let the record show that I’m also rooting for Taylor and Steven to get some screen time in the movie!
Angie and Seth (Will Trent)
I’m a little torn: Will Trent and Angie know each other better than anyone else, and it’s clear that they will always love each other. I was rooting for them to make it as a couple until the end of season 2. Trent felt obliged to turn in Angie for committing a crime. From her point of view, she felt the crime was necessary to save a young girl who was being abused. When she couldn’t save the girl, everything she did unraveled, including covering up a murder. Trent couldn’t look the other way from a law enforcement standpoint, and there was no going back after turning her in from a future husband standpoint.
By Will Trent season 3, the two were no longer a couple, and Trent was basically roped back into his career by his boss, Amanda. He reluctantly returned to the GBI, but things were tense and awkward with Angie.
Enter Angie’s new beau, Seth, to the scene. He offers a healthier, less co-dependent relationship to Angie, which is something she never really had with Will. So, while I hope Will and Angie individually find the person that’s best for them, I’m interested in seeing more of Angie and Seth in season 4.
Violet and Edmond Bridgerton (this one is just wishful thinking)
There’s always a ‘ton to talk about when it comes to romances in this series, but one story that hasn’t been told yet is Violet Bridgerton, the mother of the eight Bridgerton children. We know that Edmond is deceased in the show, but the storyline is missing how their romance came to be. We need more of Violet, Georgiana Bridgerton, and even Queen Charlotte.
Violet’s story is hinted at on Queen Charlotte and in some of the prequel novels. Although we will be invested in Benedict Bridgerton’s love life in 2026, I’m holding out hope that some spinoff projects will be underway for TV adaptations of the prequel novels.
If we don't get Violet and Edmond, maybe we can at least get a glimpse of Violet and her season 3 love interest, Lord Marcus Anderson, brother of Lady Danbury.
Keisha and Justin (Forever)
This Netflix series was so relatable when it came to conveying the strong ups and downs of first loves. Keisha and Justin go from friends to inseparable boyfriend and girlfriend, and then they realize they want different things (ouch). They break up and become like strangers. As a viewer, it was heart-breaking to watch everything fall apart, but it was also realistic.
If Keisha and Justin were to sacrifice their deepest desires to try to make the other person happy, their relationship probably wouldn’t have worked out anyways. However, with a season 2 renewal, maybe there’s a chance that they’ll be able to find a way to make a long-distance relationship work. It’s very possible we could see Forever season 2 in 2026, but a release date has not been confirmed, nor have there been any production updates.
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