Let’s get real—there’s a little bit of magic when you happen upon a romance show that nobody else is watching. You recognize the experience: you’re addicted, thoroughly engrossed in the characters, and yet nobody in your crew has even heard of it. It’s as if you’ve stumbled upon a hidden love affair destined just for you. But good things are supposed to be shared, aren’t they? So, here’s your road map to 12 of the most underappreciated romance TV shows out there. These diamonds in the rough are filled with swoon-inducing moments, messy love affairs, and unforgettable people, ready to be added to your viewing list.
12. Fellow Travelers (2023)
It’s set during the Cold War and the Lavender Scare, and Fellow Travelers explores the complex love between two men who cross paths while working in Washington, D.C. Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey provide complexity and sensitivity to a romance that is always in jeopardy, not only by politics, but by fear and concealment. It’s historical, emotional, and profoundly moving. This is one of those extraordinary programs where each look counts, and each touch is an act of defiance.
11. Starstruck (2021–Present)
If you enjoyed Notting Hill, think of it with even more cringey charm and much greater relatability. Written by and featuring Rose Matafeo, Starstruck is about Jessie, a 20-something Kiwi in London, waking up after a New Year’s Eve hook-up to find she slept with a Hollywood movie star. It’s a quirky, true, and cringey-in-the-best-way-possible show. It’s a smart take on celebrity romance with a wicked, contemporary voice.
10. Up Here (2023)
This musical romantic comedy adds a touch of whimsy to love in late ’90s New York City. Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes star as a couple who can’t get enough of hearing the voices in their heads—literally. The show has catchy musical numbers along with emotional depth as it delves into the baggage we bring to relationships. Despite only receiving one season, it’s a complete and loving story worth more love than it received.
9. How I Met Your Father (2022–2023)
Yes, it was brief. And no, it never identified “the father.” But How I Met Your Father also deserves credit. Hilary Duff fronts a multicultural, contemporary cast as Sophie, living life, loving, and all that follows. It adds a new millennial spin on dating, friendships, and self-exploration. It did not achieve the icon status of its forebear, but it made its own cozy, clever niche.
8. Lovesick (2014–2018)
Formerly (and regretfully) known as Scrotal Recall, this British sitcom is about Dylan, who’s compelled to contact all of his former loves following an unexpected STI diagnosis. Every episode visits a new relationship, providing a great balance of comedy and emotional resonance. It’s smart in its format and unexpectedly moving, with a cast that becomes increasingly lovable episode by episode. An actual Netflix hidden treasure that more people should have found out by now.
7. Fleabag (2016–2019)
Yes, Fleabag is usually celebrated for its cutting-edge script and genre-defying plot. But romance? It receives no credit whatsoever. The second season sees the introduction of the iconic “Hot Priest” in the form of Andrew Scott, and their taboo, emotionally shattering relationship is at the forefront. It’s rough, disheveled, and agonizingly real—the kind that lingers with you long after the very last episode.
6. Sex Education (2019–2023)
At first glance, it might seem like just another high school dramedy. But Sex Education goes far deeper. The romance between Otis and Maeve is slow-burn gold, filled with missteps, vulnerability, and growth. What makes it special is how the show handles all kinds of love—with empathy, awkward honesty, and humor. Whether you’re rooting for a couple or just watching characters find themselves, the heart of the show is always in the right place.
5. High Fidelity (2020)
Zoë Kravitz takes the lead as a music-soaked record shop owner who’s reconnecting with past relationships. It’s a gender-swapped, modern retelling of the original story—and it works. The show is cool to its core, yet it is also profoundly introspective and emotionally rooted. With only a single season, it never wears out its welcome. If you love music and heartbreak (and who doesn’t?), this one gets it right.
4. Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)
This coming-of-age series has all the chaos, hormones, and humor of high school—but what sets it apart is the heart behind it. Devi’s journey through grief, identity, and romance is anything but predictable. Herdynamic with Ben—filled with banter, misunderstanding, and deep affection—feels honest and earned. It’s also one of the rare shows that balances cultural storytelling with universal themes without feeling forced or preachy.
3. Pushing Daisies (2007–2008)
A romance that literally can’t be touched—how’s that for tension? Pushing Daisies is the story of Ned, a pie maker with the extraordinary ability to resuscitate the dead, and his childhood love Chuck, whom he brings back to life. and can never touch again in the physical sense. Theirs is a romance full of yearning, sugar, and sadness. Add in a whimsical tone and one of the most unique visual styles on TV, and you’ve got a bittersweet classic that never got the audience it deserved.
2. Moonlighting (1985–1989)
Before he became a big-screen action hero, Bruce Willis was one-half of one of TV’s most electric duos. Moonlighting paired him with Cybill Shepherd as two private detectives who couldn’t stop bickering—or falling for each other. Their banter was legendary, their chemistry undeniable. The show blurred the lines between genres, blending romance, comedy, and mystery in a way that still feels ahead of its time. Yet somehow, it rarely comes up in conversations about great TV romances—and it should.
1. Poldark (2015–2019)
If brooding stares and windswept cliffs are your thing, you’re in for a treat. Poldark trails Ross, a war veteran back from the American Revolutionary War, to his native Cornwall, where he expects romance, only to discover heartbreak. But he finds love as well in Demelza, a fiery young woman who provokes him in all the best ways. Their fiery, tumultuous romance plays out over a few seasons, amidst political turmoil and harsh landscapes. It’s vintage period drama romance at its very finest—and yet still flying under many people’s radars.
There you have it then: 12 under-the-radar romance TV shows that should be on your must-watch list. Whether you’re in the mood for period passion, quirky comedy, or complicated contemporary love, these shows have something very special to offer. Sometimes the greatest love stories are the ones still waiting to be uncovered.