7 Iconic TV Duos That Are Friendship Goals

You’ve heard it a million times before -- we’re living in the golden age of television. Whether you’re streaming a classic favorite like Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix, or a binging witty new series like Grown-ish, television writers are finding new ways to portray friendships on the small screen. There’s so much variety in the characters we’re seeing on TV and so many examples of what it means to be a supportive friend in every situation imaginable.

The key to a strong friendship is having each other’s back, no matter what. Take inspiration from these iconic television duos and learn how you can keep your friends safe on the road by preventing impaired driving, in partnership with General Motors.

1. Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins (Parks and Rec)

A lot of new shows revel in the idea of “difficult” women, but NBC’s fan-favorite Parks and Rec is a shining example of the beauty of female friendships. Local government champion Leslie Knope is the best support system her coworkers and friends could ever ask for -- even though they sometimes think she’s doing too much. Watching Leslie’s friendship with Ann Perkins blossom throughout the show’s seven seasons brings nothing but pure joy.

2. Sky and Jazz Forster (Grown-ish)

This Freeform comedy shows us all that adjusting to college life isn’t as easy as it seems, but twin sisters Sky and Jazz Forster always have each other’s backs. Played by real-life sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey, the twins are sassy, smart, and strive towards their goals, supporting each other through the chaos. It’s an inspiring portrayal of sisterhood and an awesome parallel to their real lives.

3. Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge (Riverdale)

Based on the cult comic series, Riverdale has quickly become one of the most popular shows on air. While producers of the show did their best to stay true to the comic books, they made one major step to modernize the story -- they made Betty and Veronica’s friendship much stronger. Instead of being frenemies, their storyline avoids pitting the women against against each other. Betty and Veronica do their best to lift each other up, despite all the drama and danger they uncover.

4. Titus Andromedon and Kimmy Schmidt (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)

This Netflix original series from comedy genius Tina Fey might be one of the most outrageous shows you’ve ever seen. After being trapped in an underground bunker for most of her adolescence, Kimmy Schmidt moves to New York City on a whim. Her wide-eyed optimism leaves her experiencing each day like a new adventure, in stark contrast to her new roommate Titus Andromedon, a disgruntled actor with Broadway dreams. The two make an unlikely pair, but they each learn important lessons from each other -- without ever falling back on the “gay best friend” stereotype.

5. Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang (Grey’s Anatomy)

It feels like Grey’s Anatomy has been on forever, but honestly, television wouldn’t be the same without it. Shonda Rhimes created one of the strongest, most complex female friendships with Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang’s 10-season story arc. These women truly are each other’s rocks -- no matter what obstacles are thrown in their way, they will always be there to dance it out with each other.

6. Nick Miller and Schmidt (New Girl)

New Girl is an underrated gem, especially when it comes to its portrayal of male friendships. Nick Miller and longtime roommate Schmidt couldn’t be more different -- one a rough bartender with seemingly no direction in life, and the other a materialistic, over-the-top ladies man. But despite their differences, Nick and Schmidt bring out the best in each other, and often break down conventional expectations of masculinity while doing so.

7. Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson (Stranger Things)

Netflix’s nostalgic supernatural thriller is all about never giving up on your friends. We all fell in love with the innocence and determination showed by Mike, Lucas, and Dustin when their friend Will disappears in the first season. But season two explores those friendships even deeper, and introduces a new favorite bromance between nerdy Dustin and cool kid Steve Harrington. The unexpected duo battles everything from alien monsters to middle school romance, sticking together through it all.

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