When Sparks Fly: 5 TV Protagonist-Antagonist Duos with Unmatched Chemistry

Here are 5 examples of when we saw exactly that:

5. Gul Dukat and Kira Nerys (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

Dukat is evil. He forced Kira’s mother into a relationship and is part of the occupying force that tortured and killed her father. Plus, aside from any personal animosity she may feel towards him, Kira knows he’s done some unspeakable things.

And yet, Dukat clearly has feelings for her. And even though she hates him with a passion, she has to quell her own emotions at times.

4. Buffy Summers and Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

These two really are two sides of the same coin. Every time they’re on screen together, there is a pulsing subtext running through the scene. But at the same time, they’re so very different.

It’s the perfect juxtaposition of characters that makes the pair at once perfect for each other and wholly incompatible at any level. Each is a shadow of the other and, as is often the case, what they hate about each other are the personality traits that are a bit too close to home.

3. Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham (Hannibal)

This is a relationship bristling with intrigue. While Hannibal should always have the upper hand, there are times when Will seems to embrace the darker side of his personality in a way that could easily override Hannibal’s manipulative nature.

In our hearts, we always know (or at least think we know) that Hannibal is the dominant force in this burgeoning connection. But Will can always sow a seed of doubt. The question is whether he ever really wants to turn his back on his ‘acquaintance’.

2. Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen (Deadwood)

These two are huge rivals that, at heart, are so much like one another. While they have very different outlooks on life, they frequently find themselves fighting a common enemy – albeit this is not really the preferred arrangement for either of them.

Ultimately, though, they both want to protect the status quo they both accept but don’t always agree with. It’s a totally believable compromise that shines a light on real-life situations all around the world.

1. Tony Soprano and Livia Soprano (Sopranos)

Tony Soprano is one of the most respected and feared gangsters in New Jersey. He’s not a man that takes well to being undermined. But he just can’t get his mother to stop doing it.

Of course, she’s the primary reason Tony is the way he is. All his insecurities stem from Livia. And she’s left with only one thing in her life that she can even attempt to control – her son.

It’s a relationship that includes some pretty big blow-ups between the two. But it’s always the underbelly of the situation that is truly fascinating and which shines through thanks to wonderful performances by two now sadly-departed actors.