18 co-star couples who had to keep working together after breaking up in real life

Gabbi ShawMay 27, 2020, 00:06 IST

"The Big Bang Theory" stars Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco dated for two years of the show's 13-season run.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

There have been plenty of celebrity love stories over the years that began on set and ended in a happily ever after.
But for every successful relationship, there are co-stars that just couldn't make it work off-screen — but had to make it work for their shows.
Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco worked together for a decade after they broke up while shooting "The Big Bang Theory."

Every time it's revealed that co-stars are dating in real life, amongst the excitement from fans is an underlying concern: What happens if they break up?

These 18 couples all met while co-starring in some of the most popular TV shows in recent history, like "Lost," "Riverdale," and "How to Get Away With Murder." And they all had to keep working together after their off-screen romances ended. Some stuck it out with both actors remaining on the show, while some characters conspicuously left their shows before their time.

Keep scrolling to see why workplace romances, especially in Hollywood, might not be the best idea.

Read the original article on Insider

Camila Mendes and Charles Melton broke up in December 2019 after a year of dating, and had to continue filming "Riverdale."

Camila Mendes and Charles Melton in 2019. Mike Coppola/MG19/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse dated both on- and off-screen for years on "Riverdale," but they reportedly broke up this month.

Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse in 2019. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Penn Badgley and Blake Lively dated for three years before they broke up in 2010. Their characters on "Gossip Girl" got married in the show's finale two years later.

Blake Lively and Penn Badgley in 2008. Jamie McCarthy/WireImage via Getty Images

Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody broke up a few months before their characters on "The OC" got married.

Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody in 2006. Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage

Few knew at the time, but "The Big Bang Theory" stars Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco dated for two years of the show's 13-season run, from 2007 to 2009.

Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco in 2016. Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray were married, and they divorced a full four years before Murray's character Lucas left "One Tree Hill."

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray in 2005. Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan starred on "Alias" together for all five seasons, but they broke up in real life two years before the show ended.

Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan in 2002. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Alexis Bledel and Milo Ventimiglia reunited for "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" in 2016, 10 years after their breakup.

Milo Ventimiglia and Alexis Bledel in 2006. Jason Merritt/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Milo Ventimiglia dated another one of his co-stars, Hayden Panettiere, during their time on "Heroes."

Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere. Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic for Academy of Television Arts and Sciences via Getty Images

Dominic Monaghan returned to "Lost" after his character's death in season three, which meant reuniting with his ex, Evangeline Lilly.

Dominic Monaghan and Evangeline Lilly in 2005. J. Merritt/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder dated for three years while co-starring on "The Vampire Diaries." Dobrev remained on the show for two more years after the 2013 breakup.

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder in 2012. Larry Busacca/Getty Images for EJAF

Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer called off their engagement in 2007. Two years later, their characters on "House" got divorced.

Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer in 2007. Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images

Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter played siblings on "Dexter," but off-screen they were married and divorced.

Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall in 2009. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Charlie Weber and Liza Weil worked together on the final season of "How to Get Away With Murder" after breaking up in February 2019.

Liza Weil and Charlie Weber in 2016. Sonia Recchia/WireImage via Getty Images

While Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick's characters on "Gossip Girl" very briefly explored a relationship, they dated for two years in real life before breaking up in 2010.

Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick in 2010. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

While Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick's characters on "Gossip Girl" very briefly explored a relationship, they dated for two years in real life before breaking up in 2010.

BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling had a long, complicated relationship during "The Office," but remain best friends to this day, and worked together on "The Mindy Project."

BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling in 2018. John Shearer/Getty Images

Neither Crystal Reed nor Daniel Sharman lasted long on "Teen Wolf" after their 2013 breakup.

Crystal Reed and Daniel Sharman in 2013. Todd Williamson/Invision for MTV/AP Images

Torrey DeVitto and Jesse Lee Soffer are both part of the "One Chicago" family, but broke up after eight months of dating.

Jesse Lee Soffer and Torrey DeVitto in 2018. Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images

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18 co-star couples who had to keep working together after breaking up in real life

Camila Mendes and Charles Melton broke up in December 2019 after a year of dating, and had to continue filming "Riverdale."

Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse dated both on- and off-screen for years on "Riverdale," but they reportedly broke up this month.

Penn Badgley and Blake Lively dated for three years before they broke up in 2010. Their characters on "Gossip Girl" got married in the show's finale two years later.

Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody broke up a few months before their characters on "The OC" got married.

Few knew at the time, but "The Big Bang Theory" stars Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco dated for two years of the show's 13-season run, from 2007 to 2009.

Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray were married, and they divorced a full four years before Murray's character Lucas left "One Tree Hill."

Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan starred on "Alias" together for all five seasons, but they broke up in real life two years before the show ended.

Alexis Bledel and Milo Ventimiglia reunited for "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" in 2016, 10 years after their breakup.

Milo Ventimiglia dated another one of his co-stars, Hayden Panettiere, during their time on "Heroes."

Dominic Monaghan returned to "Lost" after his character's death in season three, which meant reuniting with his ex, Evangeline Lilly.

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder dated for three years while co-starring on "The Vampire Diaries." Dobrev remained on the show for two more years after the 2013 breakup.

Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer called off their engagement in 2007. Two years later, their characters on "House" got divorced.

Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter played siblings on "Dexter," but off-screen they were married and divorced.

Charlie Weber and Liza Weil worked together on the final season of "How to Get Away With Murder" after breaking up in February 2019.

While Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick's characters on "Gossip Girl" very briefly explored a relationship, they dated for two years in real life before breaking up in 2010.

BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling had a long, complicated relationship during "The Office," but remain best friends to this day, and worked together on "The Mindy Project."

Neither Crystal Reed nor Daniel Sharman lasted long on "Teen Wolf" after their 2013 breakup.

Torrey DeVitto and Jesse Lee Soffer are both part of the "One Chicago" family, but broke up after eight months of dating.