Great romance TV shows with well-done plot twists can turn simple relationship dramas into gripping, complex narratives. However, the best plot twists are the ones that aren't included for cheap shock value and have significant repercussions for the characters, relationships, and plot.
Romance drama shows can take both audiences and the show's characters on an emotionally heavy and unpredictable journey. Plot twists can also bring much-needed tension to romance dramas, propel the plot forward, and spark character growth. Thus, romance drama shows filled with plot twists are guaranteed to keep audiences entertained.
10 The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
A Supernatural Love Triangle With A Surprise Ending
The Vampire Diaries is one of the great supernatural romance dramas for the spooky season, revolving around Elena Gilbert, a teen mourning the death of her parents when she meets the vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore and is dragged into the dangerous world of supernatural creatures while being caught between the two brothers. The TV show is filled with love triangles, relationship drama, deadly enemies, curses, betrayal, and shocking plot twists.
Over the show's run, The Vampire Diaries transformed from a straightforward show about a supernatural love triangle into a complicated and fascinating web of lore. The TV show utilizes plot twist moments to facilitate a range of plot developments, as the beloved characters uncover new enemies, hidden secrets, and mysterious pasts that change the context of the entire show.
9 Riverdale (2017-2023)
The Small Town Mystery Adapted From Archie Comics
Riverdale is a teen drama show based on the characters from Archie Comics. The series revolves around variously romantically involved high school students Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Jughead Jones as they navigate their teenage years while trying to uncover who killed Jason Blossom. Riverdale's journey from a teen mystery show to a supernatural drama is hard to explain, but the show's romances and plot twists are guaranteed to entertain.
All 7 Seasons Of Riverdale, Ranked Worst To Best
While Riverdale's seven seasons saw the show rise and fall dramatically in of quality, the teen drama/murder mystery was at least never boring.
Riverdale established itself early on as an unpredictable drama series where anything is possible, including time travel. The constantly evolving relationship dynamics among the main characters and the shocking and bizarre plot twists at least kept the TV show engaging, even as Riverdale's plot grew increasingly outlandish throughout the years.
8 The Affair (2014-2019)
A Golden Globe-Winning Affair Between A Waitress & A Married Novelist
The Affair is an aptly named psychological drama TV show that depicts the extramarital relationship between a novelist and a waitress. Noah Solloway and Alison Bailey's lives are turned upside down after they meet at the diner where Alison works, and the couple begin a scandalous affair. The Golden Globe Award-winning drama series is filled with thrilling revelations and high-stakes dilemmas that threaten to wreak havoc on their lives.
The Affair explores the events of the show through different characters' perspectives, ensuring that the narrative is constantly changing. The multiple perspectives provided by the lead characters are an enthralling narrative device that leads to thrilling plot twists and shocking reveals. Thus, The Affair excels at using believable, human plot twists to drive the story forward in an emotionally loaded scenario.
7 Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)
Fairy Tale Characters Have Many Crossover Romances
Once Upon a Time is a standout fantasy romance drama, at least for its impact, if not its story, that reconceptualizes classic fairy tales and reimagines the beloved characters in the modern world. The show starts when wayward and lonely Emma Swan is reunited with her 10-year-old son (who she gave up for adoption) Henry and brought to a seaside town filled with fairytale characters who have had their memories wiped by Regina, the Evil Queen of the Snow White tale.
Once Upon A Time Revival Chances Addressed By Captain Hook Actor, 6 Years After Show Ended
Six years after the show ended, Once Upon A Time's Captain Hook actor, Colin O'Donoghue addresses the chances that the show could be revived.
Once Upon a Time is filled with intriguing and memorable plot twists, as the show twists and alters the classic stories to tell a shockingly dark tale. The revelations about which fairy tale character each Storybrooke resident is, along with their backstories, are filled with surprises that influence how the bigger story unfolds and how characters behave. The blend of ionate fairytale romances with fun plot twists makes Once Upon a Time a whimsical and thrilling show throughout.
6 Grey's Anatomy (2005-Present)
Delivering 20 Seasons & Counting Of ionate Romances Between Doctors
The long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy is a TV show that is filled with romance, drama, heart-wrenching tragedies, jaw-dropping plot twists, and intense cliffhangers. Grey's Anatomy features some of the best and most iconic couples in TV history, namely the relationship between Ellen Pompeo's Dr. Meredith Grey and Patrick Dempsey's Dr. Derek Shepherd. With an ever-changing ensemble cast, the medical drama is filled with twists and character deaths that have major repercussions on the rest of the characters.
With over 20 seasons, Grey's Anatomy has managed to maintain a strong audience throughout the years with its fresh romances and plot twists, as well as strong friendship dynamics, such as the bond between Dr. Christina Yang (Sandra Oh) and Meredith. The personal and professional lives of the doctors in Grey's Anatomy are a romantic goldmine, as it has always been.
5 Charmed (1998-2006)
A Show About Witch Sisters, But With Plenty Of Romance On The Side
Charmed is a groundbreaking TV series that revolves around three sister witches who are tasked with protecting the world from evil supernatural threats. Thus, the beloved supernatural drama show follows the Halliwell sisters Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, and their half-sister Paige Matthews, as they navigate their personal and professional lives while secretly battling demons and monsters.
While the sisterhood between the powerful witches is central to the show, Charmed manages to skillfully balance their romantic storylines without overshadowing the charmed ones' destiny and fight against evil. Relationships like Piper and Leo's forbidden romance as a witch and whitelighter serve as compelling storylines, and the couples in Charmed often deal with plot twists and revelations that put their relationships to the test.
4 Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017)
No One Can Keep A Romance A Secret In Rosewood
The popular teen mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars features an entertaining blend of engaging storylines almost entirely comprising plot twists and heartwarming, intense romances. Based on the book series of the same name written by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars primarily follows a group of four friends who are stalked and harassed by a mysterious figure who goes by "A," who somehow knows all their dirty little secrets.
Spencer Hastings, Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, and Emily Fields' lives are turned upside-down after their clique leader Alison DiLaurentis disappears, and the group struggles to balance school, family drama, and relationship issues while hunting down the elusive A. Plot twists are central to Pretty Little Liars, especially and including the dynamics with the various sexy love interests, as the leads struggle to uncover which seemingly omnipresent presence is harassing them.
3 Desperate Housewives (2004–2012)
The Vicious Exploits Of The Housewives Of Wisteria Lane
The dark comedy series revolves around a close-knit group of friends residing on Wisteria Lane, in the seemingly perfect suburban town of Fairview. The four women are Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo, Gabrielle Solis, and Bree Van de Kamp, who are followed through the narration of their recently deceased friend Mary Alice Young. Of course, much like the teenage counterpart of Pretty Little Liars, nothing is as lovely as it seems on the surface.
Desperate Housewives examines the lives of the lead characters as they struggle to maintain the facade of a perfect life and marriage. Featuring scandalous affairs, blackmail, extortion, murder, and amnesia, Desperate Housewives is a roller-coaster of relationship drama, mystery, and riveting plot twists that all have a huge impact on the residents of Wisteria Lane.
2 Elite (2018-2024)
A Lesser-Known But Thrilling Teen Drama-Murder-Mystery
The Spanish drama thriller series Elite follows the students of the elite high school Las Encincas, and the narrative effortlessly blends teen drama and romance with a well-written murder mystery and social commentary on class and privilege. The murder mystery at the center of Elite is brimming with plot twists as the show throws suspicions on a wide range of characters as the investigation progresses.
All 8 Seasons Of Elite, Ranked Worst To Best
Elite’s eight seasons went from exciting early stories to weaker, repetitive ones, making it clear which Netflix seasons were best and worst.
With each character in Elite hiding a secret and having a motive and means to commit heinous crimes, nobody can be trusted. All the while featuring love triangles and forbidden romances, Elite is a perfect mix of romance and thriller. It is made even better when the relationships are linked to the investigation storyline and plot twists, and each unexpected turn in Elite is thrilling to witness and brings audiences closer to solving the mysteries.
1 Scandal (2012-2018)
It's All In The Name Of This Political Thriller
The Peabody Award-winning political thriller series Scandal follows Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, a former White House Communications Director who opens up her own crisis management firm, Olivia Pope & Associates. Set in Washington, D.C., the show explores the lives of Olivia's team and her relationship with President Fitzgerald Grant III — with whom she had a scandalous affair.
Therefore, Scandal is filled with high-stakes dilemmas, tumultuous romantic relationships, and, of course, plot twists. Additionally, Scandal features formidable villains, betrayals, conspiracies, secrets, and morally gray and complicated characters, making it a thoroughly enthralling and enjoyable series. Scandal is also a show that effortlessly places ionate romance and affairs in the setting of a political thriller, and the emotionally charged plot twists keep the show amazing throughout the seasons.