When it comes to creating drama on television, it seems that love triangles accomplish that job best. Love triangles are what get viewers to tune in week after week in anticipation. An important character is dealing with a pressing decision that is shaping their romantic life. Which suitor will they choose? The love triangle is a common television trope, but it brings viewers in everytime. They promise intrigue, suspense, love, heartbreak, and possibly betrayal. All of these ingredients make for enticing television. Sometimes the correct choice is obvious, other times it can be a toss-up as to who gets picked. Either way, seeing everything play out can be a great time if you want to get sucked into a new world. These are some of the most exciting television love triangles that will grip you until the end!

1. "Dawson's Creek": Joey, Pacey, and Dawson

When it comes to a love triangle, the person at the center usually does not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Unfortunately, that might be unavoidable if the center person is picking between their friends. That is what happens in the big love triangle of "Dawson’s Creek". Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Joey (Katie Holmes) have been best friends for a long time, and as they get older, they start to realize their romantic feelings for each other. However, Joey starts to feel a spark with her and Dawson’s mutual best friend Pacey (Joshua Jackson). This relationship development tests everyone’s friendships as these friends have already been through so much together. Unfortunately, Dawson and Pacey’s competition for Joey makes everything complicated for her as these are two of the most important people in her life. Everyone may want the problems to go away, but that is just not possible. Stream on Hulu and Prime Video.

2. "The Vampire Diaries": Elena, Stefan, and Damon

A love triangle can be even more difficult when the choice is between two brothers. It is also tough when those brothers are vampires! That is Elena Gilbert’s dilemma in "The Vampire Diaries". When cool new student Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) arrives at her school, Elena (Nina Dobrev) feels an exhilarating connection unlike anything she has felt before. However, when Stefan’s prickly older brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder) arrives in town, there might be something special between Elena and him as well. There is also the fact that Stefan and Damon are hundreds of years old vampires who feel they need to protect Elena. Elena never saw herself in such a supernatural and emotional situation, but anything is possible in her town. Both of the vampire brothers bring excitement to Elena’s life -- she just needs to decide which excitement is better for her. Stream on Max and Peacock.

3. "Never Have I Ever": Devi, Ben, and Paxton

Choosing between two opposite people seems like it should be simple. However, that is far from the truth. Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) from "Never Have I Ever" can attest to that. The series is about Devi working hard in school to get into Princeton while dealing with the grief of her dad’s death. In addition, the series follows Devi’s difficult love triangle. She has to choose between her nerdy academic rival Ben (Jaren Lewison) and the popular hot jock Paxton (Darren Barnet). The two guys could not be more different, which means they each provide Devi with different qualities and types of support. She goes back and forth between the two of them throughout the series, as she does not know how to decide. She even, unsuccessfully, tries to date both at once. Devi has to make her decision eventually and figure out what she truly needs. Stream on Netflix.

4. "Jane the Virgin": Jane, Michael, and Rafael

The choice between your boyfriend and the father of your unborn child sounds incredibly messy. Add some telenovela style twists, and that choice can get messier. Jane (Gina Rodriguez) has to make this wild choice in "Jane the Virgin". Jane was in love with her boyfriend Michael (Brett Dier) and was ready to spend her life with him. However, when she accidentally gets artificially inseminated with the sperm of her hot boss Rafael (Justin Baldoni), Jane’s whole world changes. Now, she is unsure about her future. Michael was supposed to be the love of Jane’s life. However, now that she is pregnant with Rafael’s baby, she is starting to look at him in a new light. This situation is certainly a tricky one that Jane could have never seen coming. Nevertheless, she has to make a choice between two great guys, and the choice she makes could direct the course of the rest of her life. Stream on Netflix.

5. "One Tree Hill": Lucas, Brooke, and Peyton

Best friends are supposed to be able to get through anything together. What happens when someone cute gets in the way of that? That is a part of the relationship drama in One Tree Hill. When new student Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) arrives in town, he begins to date party girl Brooke (Sophia Bush). However, there might be some mutual feelings between him and artsy Peyton (Hilarie Burton). The big problem is that Brooke and Peyton have been best friends since they were children. They do not want a guy to come between them, but that may have to be the situation. Lucas really likes both girls, and many seasons of the series involve Lucas deciding who is right for him. Will he make the right choice? How will this shape the supposedly strong friendship of Brooke and Peyton? Stream on Max and Hulu.
 

6. "The Summer I Turned Pretty": Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah

When a person, let alone two people, know you through your awkward stages, you think there is no chance they can have a crush on you. However, growing up can hit you fast, and that can put some feelings in the air.  Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) has to deal with these new feelings in "The Summer I Turned Pretty". Every Summer, Belly and her family go to Cousins Beach, where they stay with the Fisher family. The family includes tough Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and golden boy Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). Belly has always had a crush on Conrad, but he has always seen her as a child. However, now that she is older, Belly might be seen in a new way by Conrad. In addition, Jeremiah might be interested in Belly as well. She likes both guys, and she does not know what to do in this situation. Belly has known both of them for seemingly forever, so there is a lot at stake with her choice. She needs to listen to her heart so that she can figure out her perfect match. Stream on Prime Video.

7. "How I Met Your Mother": Robin, Ted, and Barney

Going after your best friend’s love seems like a massive betrayal. Nevertheless, what if this new connection leads to something great? That is what happens when it comes to the relationships of Robin (Cobie Smulders) in "How I Met Your Mother". Even though this series is a sitcom, there are a lot of emotions in the main love triangle of the show. Robin originally went out with the intellectual Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), but after they break up, she develops mutual feelings with Ted’s suave best friend Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris). However, Ted is not over Robin, which creates complications for Ted and Barney’s friendship. Robin cares about both of these men, which means that, whatever choice she makes, it could possibly lead to some difficulties for everyone. Stream on Hulu.

8. "Gossip Girl": Blair, Nate, and Chuck / Blair, Chuck, and Dan / Serena, Nate, and Dan

Sometimes, a television series will have many love triangles, which means many messy situations. "Gossip Girl" is full of wild love triangles, which is what makes the series fun to watch. One of the main ones is Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) choosing between pristine Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) and playboy Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). Nate is perfect on paper for Blair, but she can’t deny the way she feels about Chuck. Blair and Chuck also have a love triangle with the brainy Dan (Penn Badgley). Blair has a healthy relationship with Dan, but Chuck is still on the back of her mind. Then there is Serena Van Der Woodsen’s (Blake Lively) love triangle with Nate and Dan. Nate and Serena have a lot of history, but Serena might want to build new history with Dan. There are also smaller love triangles throughout the series with supporting characters. Those triangles may not seem as important, but they are still dramatic. A lot of choices have to be made for love in "Gossip Girl", and those choices are never easy but super fun to watch! Stream on Max.