Most Memorable Cheating Story Lines on TV Through the Years: From ‘Riverdale’ to ‘Euphoria’

Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix ; Kailey Schwerman/The CW

Most Memorable Cheating Story Lines on TV Through the Years: From 'Riverdale' to 'Euphoria'

A tale as old as time? From Riverdale's Betty and Archie to Glee's Kurt and Blaine, some TV shows have upped the drama by introducing a classic case of cheating. The CW series, which premiered in 2017, focused on the iconic characters from the Archie Comics. After a mysterious murder, a group of friends come together to uncover the secrets that exist within their town. Through the years, Riverdale introduced magic, time-travel and other unexpected plot lines to move the story along. The hit TV series initially introduced Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) as one main ship and Archie (KJ Apa) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) as the other. However, things took a turn in season 4 when Betty and Archie faked a relationship to distract from Jughead's fake death. Their acting turned out to be less of a lie as the longtime friends realized their feelings for one another. While singing "The Origin of Love," Betty and Archie give into their emotions and share a steamy kiss. Creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa later weighed in on Betty and Archie's potential after they chose not to explore their connection any further in season 4. "At the end of last episode, when Betty and Archie were in the bunker, it felt like Betty, you know, whatever the liaison was, it felt like for Betty, it sort of reconfirmed her feelings about Jughead. For Archie, when it ended, I think Archie felt kind of confused and a little bit lost about what he wanted. So you're definitely still playing [with that]," he told TV Guide in May 2020. "[Barchie] was a huge part of those episodes, and we're still playing them." The producer continued: "Neither Veronica nor Jughead have found out about any of this. I don't know if this is a spoiler, but I can tell you that they definitely will find out in very different ways. I don't think it's the end of the drama or it's the end of the love quadrangle by any stretch of the imagination." Betty and Archie started a casual relationship in season 5 before taking their chemistry further one season later. Ahead of the show's final season, Apa admitted he was "very anxious" to see the final episodes come to life. "I think Archie's very much loving his time with Betty and imagining a potential future with her, [which includes] kids and her family and being married," he exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2022, before confirming that he wasn't concerned by Archie's kiss with Veronica. "Which is why that scene kind of struck me. I don't think [the kiss] meant anything more to Archie." Scroll down for the most memorable cheating story lines on TV:

Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix ; Kailey Schwerman/The CW

Most Memorable Cheating Story Lines on TV Through the Years: From 'Riverdale' to 'Euphoria'

A tale as old as time? From Riverdale's Betty and Archie to Glee's Kurt and Blaine, some TV shows have upped the drama by introducing a classic case of cheating. The CW series, which premiered in 2017, focused on the iconic characters from the Archie Comics. After a mysterious murder, a group of friends come together to uncover the secrets that exist within their town. Through the years, Riverdale introduced magic, time-travel and other unexpected plot lines to move the story along. The hit TV series initially introduced Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) as one main ship and Archie (KJ Apa) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) as the other. However, things took a turn in season 4 when Betty and Archie faked a relationship to distract from Jughead's fake death. Their acting turned out to be less of a lie as the longtime friends realized their feelings for one another. While singing "The Origin of Love," Betty and Archie give into their emotions and share a steamy kiss. Creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa later weighed in on Betty and Archie's potential after they chose not to explore their connection any further in season 4. "At the end of last episode, when Betty and Archie were in the bunker, it felt like Betty, you know, whatever the liaison was, it felt like for Betty, it sort of reconfirmed her feelings about Jughead. For Archie, when it ended, I think Archie felt kind of confused and a little bit lost about what he wanted. So you're definitely still playing [with that]," he told TV Guide in May 2020. "[Barchie] was a huge part of those episodes, and we're still playing them." The producer continued: "Neither Veronica nor Jughead have found out about any of this. I don't know if this is a spoiler, but I can tell you that they definitely will find out in very different ways. I don't think it's the end of the drama or it's the end of the love quadrangle by any stretch of the imagination." Betty and Archie started a casual relationship in season 5 before taking their chemistry further one season later. Ahead of the show's final season, Apa admitted he was "very anxious" to see the final episodes come to life. "I think Archie's very much loving his time with Betty and imagining a potential future with her, [which includes] kids and her family and being married," he exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2022, before confirming that he wasn't concerned by Archie's kiss with Veronica. "Which is why that scene kind of struck me. I don't think [the kiss] meant anything more to Archie." Scroll down for the most memorable cheating story lines on TV:

Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

John B and Sarah ('Outer Banks')

In season 3 of Outer Banks, John B (Chase Stokes) and Sarah (Madelyn Cline) hit a rough patch when they returned home after their Poguelandia getaway. John B's reunion with his father caused him to pull away from his girlfriend — which as a result made Sarah grow closer to Topper (Austin North) again. The exes hooked up during a day trip but Sarah and John B ultimately worked things out.

Credit: Michael Courtney/The CW

Betty and Archie ('Riverdale')

Sometimes true love needs a little push — which is exactly what happened when an innocent musical duet inspired Betty and Archie to explore their feelings for one another. Even though it took some waiting (and a time jump) for the fan-favorite couple to finally take the leap, their connection is proof that cheating story lines can help.

Credit: Youtube

Cory and Topanga ('Boy Meets World')

During a group trip to a ski lodge, Cory (Ben Savage) shocked viewers when he kissed an employee (Linda Cardellini) while in a relationship with Topanga (Danielle Fishel). The main couple on Boy Meets World eventually worked through the obstacle and went on to tie the knot.

Credit: Kristin Callahan/Shutterstock

Kurt and Blaine ('Glee')

Blaine (Darren Criss) cheated on Kurt (Chris Colfer) in season 4 after his boyfriend started to get busy with work. Amid the admission, the duo sang No Doubt's "Don't Speak" before calling it quits. Kurt and Blaine ultimately made up and got married before Glee came to an end.

Credit: Youtube

Pinstripe and Jane ('The Bold Type')

The Bold Type leads grew from a flirtation to a casual romance to something more. Unfortunately, Pinstripe later cheated and repeatedly lied to Jane about his infidelity on her while away on a trip. The door was seemingly kept open for a potential reconciliation — but not all fans were rooting for the couple's future together. 

Credit: Youtube

Schmidt and Cece ('New Girl')

A case of bad timing led Cece (Hannah Simone) to cancel her wedding while Schmidt (Max Greenfield) tried to move on with ex-girlfriend Elizabeth (Merritt Wever). Schmidt didn't tell either woman about the situation and both ended up hurt by the experience. Schmidt and Cece found their way back to each other before New Girl wrapped up in 2018.

Credit: Youtube

Aidan and Carrie ('Sex and the City')

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), who originally thought her relationship with Aidan (John Corbett) was too good to be true, cheated on her then-boyfriend with ex Mr. Big (Chris Noth). Carrie and Aidan rekindled their romance later but pulled the plug again.

The former couple will return to each other's lives in Sex and the City's revival series And Just Like That.

Credit: Youtube

Wade and Zoe ('Hart of Dixie')

The Hart of Dixie couple went through major ups and downs before giving a romantic relationship a try. After Wade (Wilson Bethel) questioned his potential, he ended up cheating on his girlfriend with a one night stand. Zoe (Rachel Bilson) figured it out and ended their relationship — but an accidental pregnancy pushed Wade and Zoe to give their connection another try in The CW show's final season.

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Benson and Stabler (Law & Order: SVU)

Cheating comes in all different forms and that includes emotional infidelity. Fans may still be waiting for Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) to give into their feelings, but the twosome have displayed tell-tale signs of interest in each other even when they were in a relationship with someone else.

Credit: Shondaland/Abc Studios/Kobal/Shutterstock

Olivia and Fitz ('Scandal')

Fitz's (Tony Goldwyn) marriage to Mellie (Bellamy Young) didn't stop the President of the United States from being in an on-and-off relationship with main love interest Olivia (Kerry Washington) throughout the series. Olivia and Fitz eventually came out on top with the series ending with them as the endgame ship.

Credit: Youtube

Finn and Raven ('The 100')

Clarke (Eliza Taylor) was in for a surprise when her unexpected connection with Finn (Thomas McDonell) turned out to be way messier than expected. After being sent to the ground, Clarke developed feelings for Finn as they tried to start their own colony on Earth.

However, the self-proclaimed spacewalker actually had girlfriend Raven (Lindsey Morgan) waiting for him. The mechanic's arrival created a rift between Clarke and Finn that never fully healed before his death.

Credit: Eddy Chen/HBO (2)

Nate and Cassie ('Euphoria')

During season 2 of HBO's Euphoria, Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) ignored their individual loyalty to Maddy (Alexa Demie) and decided to explore their chemistry. Cassie ultimately got way more invested than Nate did — and it was only a matter of time before Maddy found out that her best friend was sleeping with her ex-boyfriend.