These 10 Black Couples In Film and TV Give Us Hope
We’re celebrating Black History Month AND Valentine's Day with some of our favorite Black couples from TV shows and movies. Pop Culture Planet’s Makkedah Ramsey spreads the Black love.
Martin Payne and Gina Waters-Payne
I couldn’t talk about Black love without mentioning Martin and Gina from Martin. This couple isn't just the most hilarious pair, they're truly best friends. Their relationship serves as a reminder that life is sweeter when you have a partner, not just a lover.
With their unforgettable catchphrases like "Damn, Gina!" and "You go, boy," they infuse every moment with laughter and light-heartedness, yet they never fail to show each other the respect and admiration they deserve. Despite navigating their differences, they exemplify unwavering commitment and mutual support, proving that true love conquers all.
Martin can be stream on Max.
Miranda Bailey and Ben Warren
I couldn’t resist adding a Grey’s Anatomy couple into the mix because what is Grey's Anatomy without its epic love stories? Adding these two to the line up was a tough decision considering their "sabbatical," but we all know Ben Warren’s unwavering persistence and romantic gestures swept us off our feet. Warren walks into Bailey's world, a powerhouse of woman, and manages to break her emotional barriers.
Who can forget when Ben built Bailey a tree house? Or when he proposed using a crossword puzzle? Ben Warren loves Dr. Bailey and I love their love.
Lucious and Cookie Lyon
I admit that Cookie and Lucious Lyon may not be the ideal love story to model one's relationship after, but their undeniable love is worth noting. Despite the fact that Cookie served 17 years for Lucious and repeatedly sacrificed her own happiness for the sake of his empire, their relationship remains magnetic.
What I truly admire about their old-school, straight-out-of-the-hood love is their unwavering loyalty. Cookie's hold over Lucious is powerful. Bo matter what he says or does, when he looks at her, he knows she is everything. She left her entire life behind for him and always saw the world through his eyes. She’s his muse.
Empire is available on Hulu.
Spencer James and Olivia Baker
Yes, these two definitely deserve their spot, because they stand out as one of the few Black couples we have on TV currently. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate interracial couples, but there's something undeniably powerful about seeing a strong Black couple on screen.
From the start, Olivia had her eyes on Spencer, and though Spencer got a little sidetracked by Leila, we all knew who his true love was. Spencer was the only person who truly saw Olivia. She got back from rehab and those in her life just decided she was healed like a magic potion, but Spencer saw she was fighting to keep her head up. Olivia saw the weight Spencer carried and his need to protect his family. They have always been each other's sounding board and it’s obvious they are endgame. We left season 5 with a heartwarming declaration of love from Spencer just before Olivia departs for London. What’s next for this iconic pair? I hope they will stop toying with our emotions and just be together.
All American can be streamed on Netflix.
Issa Dee and Lawrence Walker
What I love about these two is that they are truly the definition of right person wrong time. They convey the notion that love isn't always a fairytale. Instead, they offer a raw and authentic portrayal of what love looks like when you're still finding your footing in life.
We witness the beginning of their relationship: Lawrence was lost, and Issa was searching for passion. She found it, but with someone else. And even though we all rooted for Issa and Daniel, let's face it — Issa and Lawrence were always meant to find their way back to each other. No matter how tumultuous their love was, its allure remained irresistible. Even when involved with other partners, their hearts invariably gravitated towards each other, revealing that their ultimate weakness was each other.
Insecure can be found on Hulu.
Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley
Darius and Nina did not go into their story thinking they would fall so deeply. Nina, on the rebound, wasn't actively seeking something serious, but their undeniable chemistry proved otherwise. The scene at Nina's place, where she asks Darius to strip for her, creates immaculate tension. As he teases her, the energy shifts immediately showing how attracted they are to each other.
Despite their chemistry, they don't immediately jump into this relationship. Nina even returns to her ex to see if there's still a spark for them. The "will they, won't they" moments leave us pleading for their inevitable return. And despite their differences, they choose love.
Love Jones is available on Paramount+.
Noni Jean and Kaz Nicol
This relationship truly embodies the essence of "I'll catch you if you fall." Kaz enters Noni's life during one of her darkest moments, and one of his first words to her is "I see you." This instant connection throws Kaz right into Noni's world. He becomes a source of safety, gentleness, and comfort as Noni navigates her journey of self-discovery. Noni is lost, torn between her identity as an artist and as a person. Kaz witnesses her struggles and recognizes her inner conflict. As they grow in love, they teach us the profound power of having a supportive partner. Through their love we see how liberating and free love can be.
Beyond the Lights is available on Starz.
Dre and Rainbow Johnson
The Blackish family dynamic is not only hilarious, it's real. Yes, everything is dramatic — we are watching TV after all — but Rainbow and Dre's relationship is an honest look into what a family looks like. These two aren't overly affectionate or romantic, but they show partnership and the realities of building a family. They have five children, successful careers, and somehow still manage to make time for each other.
It's truly amazing to witness this relationship within a Black family. Despite the inevitable imperfections and challenges they face, Rainbow and Dre always manage to find common ground and connect with one another.
Blackish can be found on Hulu and Disney+.
Lucky and Justice
The pairing of Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur alone was enough to get us watching this film, and even though it came out way before my time, I know how iconic this duo is. If you haven't seen this costume at a 90's party, you've been going to the wrong parties. This couple has it all — it's spicy, it's fiery, and they tackle a lot of issues regarding what it's like to be a Black person in America.
This couple may not have all the typical romance, but the reality is that this hood romance is reflective of our society. Pain and struggle can bring two people together just as much as passion and desire can.
Poetic Justice can be found on Sling TV.
T'challa and Nakia
I know they weren't officially together, but we can all admit that this connection was powerful. Not only do they look amazing together, but they are also badass. The MCU does a great job of not forcing this couple down our throats, but rather making us pine for it. I think it's important to acknowledge this couple because, although they live in a fictional reality with vibranium, their story is relatable. They have a history and clearly love each other, but circumstances prevent them from being together.
The scene where T'Challa thanks Nakia and she responds with "it was my duty to fight for what I love" shows just how much they care for each other. It was adorable and romantic, and you can see the playful nature of their relationship despite everything happening around them. They make the audience scream, "Just be together!" The late Chadwick Boseman, alongside Lupita Nyong'o, gave us a strong Black couple in the MCU, and we should never forget that.
Black Panther is available on Disney+.
