10 Romantic Scenes Between Actors Who HATE Each Other
10 Romantic Scenes Between Actors Who Hate Each Other
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re highlighting moments when co-stars had to put aside their mutual disdain to film a love scene.
Elena and Stefan’s First Time
“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
In the first season of this vampire drama, high school student Elena Gilbert and vampire Stefan Salvatore have an immediate magnetism. The tenth episode of “The Vampire Diaries” sees the two overcoming their differences, declaring their love, and kissing passionately. Their first true love scene is tender and epic. But this was all amber-colored TV magic. Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley were far from star-crossed lovers. Though they are friends now, Dobrev revealed on a podcast that she clashed with Wesley while shooting the first season of the CW stalwart. Their different approaches to acting made working together almost impossible.
David and Maddie Finally Kiss
“Moonlighting” (1985-89)
Reluctant partners David Addison and Maddie Hayes solved crimes for five seasons, but the real heart of “Moonlighting” was the will-they-or-won’t-they chemistry between them. The season 2 moment where David and Maddie have their first kiss is intensely dramatic. Finally faced with potentially losing each other, the two meet up in a parking garage before David flees from justice. Like all of their scenes, it’s all about the push-and-pull of loathing and lust they feel for each other. Apparently, Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd’s contentious relationship was heavier on the loathing than the lust. Their persistent feud overshadowed the show itself.
The Ending
“An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982)
The moment Zack Mayo, in full Navy uniform, walks into that factory, picks up Paula, and carries her in his arms is almost too corny. But with that music, the cheering crowd, and the performances of Richard Gere and Debra Winger, it just works. Though their characters had stars in their eyes when they saw each other, the actors definitely didn’t. Winger has gone on record saying she hated most of the people involved with making “An Officer and a Gentleman,” and that extended to working with Gere. Luckily, years later, they were able to laugh it off.
The Balcony Scene
“Romeo + Juliet” (1996)
For hundreds of years, Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers were the pinnacle of tragic romance. Arguably the most electrifying scene sees the two young lovers from different worlds having their clandestine meeting on Juliet’s balcony. It’s a classic, no matter who performs it. But Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes’ differences extended off-screen during production of Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet.” DiCaprio’s youthful energy and penchant for pranks clearly didn’t impress his co-star. Meanwhile, it’s been widely reported that he found her to be uptight. Hate may be too strong a word here. Still, it’s safe to say the chemistry was reserved only for the cameras.
“You Were Meant for Me”
“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
MGM’s 1952 movie musical is still considered a crowning achievement of the genre. Gene Kelly’s fleet feet and Debbie Reynolds’ winning charm made them an unforgettable screen pairing. Their dance on a soundstage against a painted backdrop of clouds is beautifully done. But their seamless dancing was hard-won. Kelly was also the movie’s choreographer and co-director, and he was notoriously hard on Reynolds. Their rehearsals often ended with Kelly berating her to the point of tears because she was not the natural dancer he was. He would later express shock that she still spoke to him.
The Lift
“Dirty Dancing” (1987)
As their frosty relationship thaws throughout “Dirty Dancing,” hesitant dance partners Baby and Johnny must learn to trust each other to complete their most daring move. When they finally do perform the lift, it’s to massive cheers and the Oscar-winning song “The Time of My Life.” Years afterward, Jennifer Grey revealed her reservations about taking the role. Having worked with Patrick Swayze on 1984’s “Red Dawn,” she was not a fan of his on-set antics. He was a precise and demanding partner by the time of “Dirty Dancing.” Grey, meanwhile, annoyed him by breaking character and ruining takes. The charming moment when Baby laughs while Johnny holds her was actually a blooper. Whatever animosity there may have been, it made their scenes pop.
The “Always” Kiss
“Castle” (2009-16)
At the end of “Castle’s” fourth season, homicide detective Kate Beckett shows up on Richard Castle’s doorstep, soaked with rain. They finally, finally declare their love for each other. Captured in low, warm lighting and with music soaring, what follows is as tastefully passionate as network TV romances get. Nathan Fillion and Stania Katic certainly look like two people in love. The reality was in fact potentially show-ending. Though the show ran for a whopping eight seasons, rumors of a feud between Fillion and Katic dogged the series. Katic’s departure ahead of the canceled ninth season only added fuel to the rumors.
The Forehead Kiss
“The X-Files” (1993-2002; 2016)
Mulder and Scully’s entire working relationship depends on their being like oil and water. In the season 4 episode “Memento Mori,” a cancer scare finds the two sharing a private, intimate moment at the hospital. Mulder gives her one of the most charged forehead kisses in TV history. It was just a taste of what was to come, but it was enough to drive devoted fans wild. The characters’ differing approaches to the paranormal phenomena they investigate was apparently a perfect mirroring of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson’s approaches to acting. The tension was such that they didn’t really speak off-camera. In the end, both seem to agree that while they weren’t close at first, their relationship grew stronger much later.
Rooftop Meeting
“It Ends With Us” (2024)
It’s the co-star feud you still can’t get away from. Production of “It Ends With Us” saw two co-stars – one a director, the other a producer – clashing so badly they wound up in court. With literally zero context, the initial meeting between Lily and Ryle could look like the start of whirlwind romance. It has to, if we’re going to emotionally invest in the disturbing story that comes after. But the entire movie is severely dampened by the behind-the-scenes chaos, accusations, and lawsuit-inducing feud between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. From alleged harassment, wresting control of the final cut away from director Baldoni, to allegations of a smear campaign against Lively, the production could be a movie all its own.
Kiss in the Rain
“The Notebook” (2004)
The most iconic scene between Noah and Allie sees the two reuniting, where years of misunderstandings, heartbreak and pent-up passion play out in spectacular fashion. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones carried away by the romance. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams dated for a couple years after playing Noah and Allie. But they came a long way from where they started. When they began filming “The Notebook,” the two were not simpatico at all. According to director Nick Cassavetes, Gosling asked for a stand-in for McAdams, claiming he couldn’t play his scenes to her. We beg to differ. They are on fire in this movie.
Did these co-star feuds surprise you? Sound off in the comments.