Summary
Warning: This article mentions sensitive topics including racism and sexual assault.
Whether they’re accurate or completely fictional, some TV shows do an amazing job of conveying unbreakable sibling relationships. Some ofthe best TV shows of all timeinclude siblings in their casts, such as Monica and Ross Geller inFriendsor Meredith and Lexie Grey inGrey’s Anatomy, for example. The bond between two or more characters that share a family is unmatched, especially as they are able to share moments of familiarity and comfort that make things a lot more interesting.
Not every sibling relationship is overly positive, however.Some of thebest hero and villain duos in TV showsand movies are siblings, like Thor and Loki. Even when things are strained, the connection between two or more siblings is still important for the narrative. Whether they grow up together or apart, have a solid connection or frequently clash, and are biologically related or not, there are plenty of TV shows that brilliantly display the positives and negatives of a sibling relationship.
The 10 Most Complicated Sibling Relationships In TV Shows, Ranked
From the deep bond between the Big Three in This Is Us to the unique circumstance between Buffy and Dawn, TV has som complex sibling relationships.
Supernaturalfollows the lives of the demon-hunting brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester. From the pilot to theSupernaturalseason 15 finale, the Winchesters rely on one another to keep themselves safe and, most importantly, alive.Dean Winchester’s deaths inSupernaturalresults in some of the most heartbreaking moments of the show because Sam is left to fend for himself, having lost his only true family member.Sam and Dean lose their parents at a young age,and although they have support from characters like Bobby and Castiel, it’s really just the two of them against the world.
Even when John and Mary are resurrected multiple times inSupernatural,the two brothers are the only constant.
The Winchesters’ sibling bond is the driving force ofSupernatural’s narrative. While they face more trivial distractions throughout the show, such as Chuck’s books or a series of different love interests,Sam and Dean’s motivations are always each other.Even when John and Mary are resurrected multiple times inSupernatural,the two brothers are the only constant. The Winchesters’ love for one another is unmatched, and it takes them both to Hell and back, quite literally.
The Bridgerton family treeis large and complex, but the eight siblings continue to feed Lady Whistledown’s rumors.Bridgerton’s tight-knit group of brothers and sisters genuinely enjoy each other’s company,which is quite an unusual relationship to see between siblings in a TV show. However, there are moments in which their strong bond is strained, such as when Anthony tries to dictate the marriage market for Daphne without allowing her input. The Bridgertons sadly lose their father to a bee sting before Hyacinth’s birth, so Anthony steps in as the eldest, ensuring that his younger siblings are cared for.
This surrogate father and brother position is difficult for Anthony initially, but when he falls in love with Kate in season 2, he starts to embrace his role. Even after marriage,the Bridgerton children still frequently spend time together by engaging in activities like cards,Pall Mall, or dancing along to Fransceca playing the piano. They also share close relationships withthe Featherington family inBridgerton,notably Penelope, who is Eloise’s best friend most of the time and is in love with Colin. What’s most important about the Bridgertons, however, is that they understand each other, regardless of their desires.
The Shelby family inPeaky Blindersand their street gang are led by the eldest brother, Tommy, a cunning crime boss.The Shelby siblings—Tommy, Arthur, John, Ada, and Finn—each have a range of complicated relationships with each otherthat evolve throughout the show. For example, Ada is repeatedly defiant about the family’s criminal activities. She is particularly upset when Arthur develops PTSD because of Tommy, who sends his brother out on tough jobs, knowing he’s capable.
The youngest of the clan, Finn, greatly looks up to Tommy as a father figure and becomes his mentee in later seasons. However, despite their many conflicts, the Shelbys remain fiercely loyal and protective of each other right up to thePeaky Blindersseason 6 ending. Although they all have their differences,there is a profound respect between the Shelbys that is powered by their troublesome past and a deep-rooted need to keep them together.When things get tough, the Shelbys hold each other up and push forward, and the only thing that ever matters is their family.
One ofthe best sitcoms of all time,Schitt’s Creek,introduces the brilliant brother and sister duo, Alexis and David Rose. In season 1, David and Alexis are distant and rude to each other, only caring about their spoiled lives that their parents finance. However,as the show progresses, the Rose siblings grow to become best friendsand become heavily involved in each other’s personal issues. As the Rose family money pot quickly vanishes, Alexis and David learn to appreciate each other’s company in their new small town home.
David and Alexis' best sibling moments inSchitt’s Creekare always when one comes through for the other. For example, David’s wedding to Patrick is an elaborate and emotional affair, but rather than David asking Stevie to give up her maid-of-honor duties, he gets creative, and Alexis walks him down the aisle. Despite Johnny’s availability,this moment highlights the growth that David and Alexis experience throughout the show.Although Alexis departs for New York in theSchitt’s Creekfinaleand David decides to stay, their profound goodbye proves that their sibling relationship is solid, regardless of the distance between them.
This is Usfocuses on three siblings: Randall, Kevin, and Kate. Kevin and Kate are two surviving triplets, and Randall is adopted after he is abandoned at a fire station, butthe three share a bond so unbreakable that biology doesn’t matter.However, there are some factors that the Pearson triplets can’t ignore, primarily that Randall is black and they’re white. Using a non-linear narrative,This is Us’Pearson family treechanges,jumping back and forth between the three’s childhoods and adult lives, also delving into the heartbreaking death of their father and the problems they face as parents themselves.
The final episode shines a light on the incredible character development that each of them experiences.
Throughoutall 6 seasons ofThis is Us,the three support one another through the most difficult events of their lives. Kevin and Sophie reuniting, Kate and Toby’s divorce, and Randall meeting his biological family are all prominent storylines for the characters, butdespite all of them living in different parts of the country and time zones, they do as much as they can to offer the others a shoulder to cry on.Although their stories wrap up in theThis is Usending, the final episode shines a light on the incredible character development that each of them experiences.
The Umbrella Academyfollows the lives of the Hargreeves, a family consisting of seven adopted children who are all born with superpowers. While their upbringing is far from perfect, mainly because of their deranged father, Sir Reginald,the Hargreeves siblings seek solace in one another and share trauma from their childhood.The dysfunctional relationships between each of them are often strained, but there’s an underlying connection that keeps the seven of them together. However, one sibling bond briefly becomes rather inappropriate afterAllison sexually assaults Luther inThe Umbrella Academyseason 3.
They never fail to help the others and be a strong support system for one another.
Most of the time, the Hargreeves manage to keep their bonds away from incestuous territory. Luther and Diego often clash, but the pressures they face as Number One and Two create a mutual understanding between the two. Klaus starts as Diego’s irritating younger brother, buttheir relationship grows stronger when Diego helps Klaus get sober.Even though the seven siblings are under enormous pressure, especially Viktor before his powers, they never fail to help the others and be a strong support system for one another.
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Malcolm in the Middlefamously sees Hal and Lois’ family expand to include Jamie, the youngest of the Wilkerson sons.Lois is repeatedly tortured by her five boys, who are all agents of chaosand mischief at home and in the wider community. However, Malcolm’s smarts and educational successes encourage his brothers to become more. For example, Francis begins as the ultimate teenage rebel but settles down with his wife, Reese lacks common sense but is a very talented chef, and Dewey develops incredible musical skills.
Malcolm in the Middleproves that the Wilkersons are smartin their own way through the titular character’s influence. Interactions betweenthe Wilkersons inMalcolm in the Middlegenerally consist of petty childishness, but there’s still a lot of respect. As a child genius, Malcolm is subjected to a lot of abuse from his peers for his high intelligence. While he also mocks Malcolm for it, Reese refuses to let anyone else disrespect him.The boys also all look up to Francis,and he realizes just how impactful he is to his younger brothers, which helps him adjust his attitude.
The classic children’s TV showDrake & Joshfollows the lives of the titular characters, two classmates who suddenly become stepbrothers after their parents get married. A majority ofthe best episodes ofDrake & Joshare about the pair’s wacky adventures, which frequently also include Drake’s younger sister, Megan.Drake and Josh’s relationship starts off a little uneasy, primarily because Drake is cool and Josh is quite nerdy,but over time, the two develop an incredibly sweet bond. It’s not uncommon for them to be competitive, especially when it comes to girls.
Drake’s ladies' man persona regularly creates conflict between him and Josh, but they always find a way to patch things up.The one thing they do agree on when it comes to relationships is protecting Megan,however, and one of the funniest moments in the show is when Josh and Drake discover her boyfriend is cheating on her. Megan’s constant pranks on the boys are hilarious, but when it comes down to it, they are still extremely protective of their younger sister.
InShameless, sibling relationships are everything. Due to Monica and Frank Gallagher’s terrible parenting, their eldest daughter, Fiona, takes the reins and is responsible for the safety of her younger siblings.The Gallagher family tree inShamelesskeeps Fiona on her toes, frequently worrying about how she’ll feed the younger children if they aren’t taken away by the authorities first. Throughout the show,Fiona’s relationships with Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam shift and develop frequently.While there are moments of struggle between the Gallaghers, such as when Debbie gets pregnant as a teenager on purpose, they always stick together.
Due to their parents’ abandonment and alcoholism,the Gallagher siblings inShamelessfend for themselves. But despite their upbringing, they all find success in their own ways. Lip’s street smarts help keep the family afloat at times, Ian balances life with bipolar disorder with support from Mickey, and Carl eventually becomes a police officer after attending military school and turning his life around.None of the Gallagher kids’ lives are the same after Fiona takes over raising them,and while their sibling relationships are far from perfect, their shared past and bond give each of them something to fight for.
The Brady Bunchis a sitcom that follows the titular family through all manner of hilarious situations. The Bradys are considered one of thebest television families of the 1970sbecause of the wholesome relationships between each of the six children. Set in American suburbia,The Brady Bunchteaches the importance of family, regardless of the fact that the children aren’t all related.Mike’s three sons, Greg, Peter, and Bobby, take time adjusting to Carol and her three daughters, Jane, Marcia, and Cindy. But eventually, the blended family fit together like puzzle pieces.
However,The Brady Bunchdoesn’t shy away from discussing the complications of having so many children so close in age.Several episodes highlight sibling rivalry, such as when Jan wishes she was an only child and when all six of them fight over the family’s stamp collection. Despite this, the kids always end up on good terms again, which is sweet, but it is also one of thethings that don’t make sense aboutThe Brady Bunch.
