Crime shows are all about solving cases and putting away bad guys — but what about finding romance?

NCIS, Castle, Bones, Psych and more series gave fans intense crimes week after week while sprinkling in love stories between its main characters.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit hasn’t given viewers a happily ever after for Detectives Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) but that hasn’t stopped Us from rooting for them to finally become a full-fledged couple.

“We keep it open. We are very careful with the story, and we want to make sure that it’s dealt with the right way, and that takes just a lot of thought and we’re still in the journey,” Hargitay exclusively Us Weekly of the will-they, won’t they couple in May 2024. “I don’t think of endgame yet.”

Even if they’ve yet to consummate their love, Benson and Stabler are one of the greatest crime couples of all time.

Scroll down (unofficial) ranking of the best TV crime solving duos — most of which became an item:

13. Scott and Jamie — ‘FBI: International’

For three seasons — well, two and a half, technically — fans rooted for the somewhat taboo romance between Fly Team leader Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank) and his No. 2 in command special agent Jamie Kellett (Heida Reed) on FBI: International. Not only was the sexual tension between these two visible from a mile away, but for a long time Jamie was the only person Scott truly trusted. When Jamie left the Fly Team at the start of season 3, fans were crushed. Scott, however, exited the team himself at the end of the season.

FBI: International’s fourth season premiered on CBS in 2024.

12. Maggie and OA — ‘FBI’

FBI special agents Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and Omar Adom “OA” Zidan (Zeeko Zaki) have been the go-to pair on FBI since season 1 premiered in 2018. While they have been strictly platonic for seven seasons, there has always been a touch of sexual chemistry. Sure, they will most likely never cross those lines, but they do have each other’s backs. Whether it’s breaking a window to escape being blown up by a bomb or staying by each other’s bedside after near-death experiences, these two are the definition of “partners in crime.”

FBI began season 7 on CBS in fall 2024.

11. Eliza Scarlet and The Duke — ‘Miss Scarlet and The Duke’

Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin’s chemistry was electric from the start on Miss Scarlet and The Duke as private investigator Eliza Scarlet and Inspector William “The Duke” Wellington. Despite his reluctance to help Eliza with her P.I. business — which was scandalous in Victorian London circa 1882— William always protected her, even when it got him into trouble with Scotland Yard. Throughout the first four seasons, Eliza remained adamant that she didn’t need a man to survive, but it was clear she’d always loved William since childhood.

During season 4, William finally told her he loved her, and they shared a kiss. Their bliss was short-lived as William revealed he took a job in New York so they could have time apart to think about their future. When season 5 began in 2025, there was a new inspector in England and Eliza was spiraling after realizing William was her true love and he was never coming back. Fans were outraged by Eliza and William’s missed connection — and witty banter — calling for his return, but it didn’t change the outcome.

Miss Scarlet was renamed ahead of season 5 which premiered on PBS Masterpiece in January 2025.

10. Shawn and Juliet — ‘Psych’

Unlike many partners on this list, Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) and Juliet O’Hara (Maggie Lawson) started out as somewhat green in their professions. Shawn, a psychic detective, was trying to make a name for himself when he met Jules, a detective new to the Santa Barbara Police Department. They bonded over Shawn’s humor and Jules soon fell for his sweet gestures — and frequently risked her own career over his hunches. Their working relationship eventually turned romantic, and it was just as sweet as you’d imagine.

Psych ran for eight seasons on USA Network from 2006 to 2014.

Credit: Disney/Mike Taing

9. Bradford and Chen — ‘The Rookie’

Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) was known for his intense training tactics on The Rookie before meeting trainee Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil). While training Chen, Bradford began to soften and slowly fall for his subordinate — after dating her friend. During season 5, the officers became a couple after playing one during an undercover operation one season prior. However, Braford broke up with Chen during season 6 after he risked her career by getting her involved in a case about his past. Throughout season 7, fans have been dying for them to rekindle their romance — especially since their work partnership is still solid.

The Rookie season 7 premiered on ABC in January 2025.

8. Brennan and Booth — ‘Bones’

Talk about opposites attract. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) could not have been more different. Brennan, the top anthropologist at the Jeffersonian, ruled her world by scientific facts and rarely let people in. Booth, an FBI special agent who worked with Brennan’s team, was by the book to a degree, but didn’t take things as literally as his partner. Their differences ultimately made them the perfect crime-fighting duo — and eventually married couple. Their TV wedding was in the rose garden outside the Jeffersonian and it was magic.

Bones ran for 12 seasons on Fox from 2005 to 2017.

7. Jane and Moira — ‘Rizzoli and Isles’

Who says your best friend can’t be your soulmate? Both Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) and Moira Isles (Sasha Alexander) find love on and off throughout Rizzoli & Isles, but these BFFs don’t need a man to solve crimes in Boston. Jane is a rough and tough detective who loves sports and only wears pants, while Moira is buttoned up and rarely takes off her high heels. Together they are one of the greatest TV crime solvers of all time. (The series finale even ended with them choosing to travel to Paris together before going their separate ways.)

Rizzoli & Isles ran for seven seasons on TNT from 2010 to 2016.

6. Scully and Mulder — ‘The X-Files’

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were a dynamic duo from 1993 to 2002 and again from 2016 to 2018, playing Special Agent Fox Mulder and Dr. Dana Scully. Their romantic feelings were kept at bay for nine seasons, but it was their oppositional attract personalities that had fans tuning in each week. Scully was a science-based woman, while Mulder believed in the supernatural and their differing opinions made for witty banter fans still talk about. As they battled the paranormal, the bizarre cases brought them closer and ultimately resulted in the birth of their son.

The X-Files aired for nine seasons on Fox before returning to the network for seasons 10 and 11 in 2016 and 2018.

5. Tony and Ziva — ‘NCIS’

Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) was the exact right amount of sass and spice for special agent Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). When Ziva joined the NCIS team during season 3 in 2005, Tony was Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) right hand agent. However, Ziva soon earned her stripes and eventually fell in love with Tony.

At one point, fans thought Ziva died when her father’s farmhouse was destroyed. Tony was devastated by the reported loss but had to switch into dad mode when he learned Ziva secretly welcomed their daughter, Tali, while out of the country. Tony and Ziva, who had in fact not died, eventually reunited and started living as a family in Paris. Their next chapter will be documented in the spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

NCIS season 22 premiered on NBC in October 2024. NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s premiere date has not been announced.

4. Burgess and Ruzek — ‘Chicago P.D.’

Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) a.k.a. Burzek had fans rooting for them from the start, especially after Burgess hilariously showed Ruzek during season 1 how to direct traffic. After two broken engagements, Ruzek proposed for a third time during season 11 of Chicago P.D. and it stuck. While fans tune into the police drama to see the Intelligence Unit put away bad guys, it’s the connection between Burgess and Ruzek that keeps them coming back for more. (They have literally saved each other’s lives on more than one occasion.)

Chicago P.D. entered season 12 on NBC in fall 2024.

3. Shawn and Gus — ‘Psych’

Sure, Shawn Spencer (Roday Rodriguez) had a great romantic partner in Juliet (Lawson), but let’s be real, Shawn and Burton “Gus” Guster (Dulé Hill) were the real power couple on Psych. Not only had they been BFFs since they were kids, but they drove around in a car called the “blueberry” and Shawn had hilarious nicknames for his bestie depending on the case. Shawn calling Gus “Chocolate Columbo,” “Peter Panic” and “MC ClapYoHandz” are among the most memorable. Even with no detective experience between the two of them, Shawn and Gus helped SBPD put away multiple serial killers, keep the city safe and brought laughs to the whole department.

Psych ran for eight seasons on USA Network from 2006 to 2014.

2. Castle and Beckett — ‘Castle’

Nathan Fillion’s Rick Castle was the bane of detective Kate Beckett’s (Stana Katic) existence when they first met on Castle. Despite her reservations, the NYPD let novelist Castle assist on a case that kickstarted their partnership. As the seasons went on, Castle helped Beckett and her team solve murders and got inspiration for his hit book series. Castle, who was both charming and a player, also eventually broke through Beckett’s walls and the two started dating. Their romantic relationship was full of drama and hardships, ending in one of the most intense series finales ever, where both were shot by an assailant. The final scene showed the pair — in what appeared to be a dream or future premonition — alive and running around the house with a child of their own.

Castle ran for eight seasons on ABC from 2009 to 2016.

1. Stabler and Benson — ‘Law and Order: SVU’

For 12 seasons, viewers tuned into Law & Order: Special Victims Unit partly because of the crime fighting — but mostly because of detectives Elliot Stabler (Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Hargitay). You could cut their sexual tension with a knife. The chemistry between the detectives was palpable, but they were also the epitome of a team. No matter what the jam, viewers were certain Benson and Stabler would never leave the other one hanging.

While Meloni left the series in 2011 at the end of season 12, fans didn’t stop rooting for Stabler and Benson to get together. When Meloni reprised his role in the spinoff Law & Order: Organized Crime in 2021 it came with a reunion between Benson and Stabler. The chemistry was still there — but the will-they, won’t-they story line remains.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 26 premiered on NBC in October 2024. Organized Crime will move to Peacock for season 5 in April 2025.