It's a tale as old as time… while playing on-screen lovers, stars translate their movie-magic chemistry into a real-life relationship. However, before long, the demands of the job and public attention prove too much for a couple to bear, and they end up splitting - but not before they've finished shooting their final scene as lovers.
From Riverdale's Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart to Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder, who took their feisty love story in Vampire Diaries off-screen, plenty of famous couples have been forced to work together despite navigating heartbreak.
Whether it be a reunion of the exes or the continuation of a fake relationship for the sake of a series' plot, once they step on set, Hollywood couples must be ready for lights, camera, action, no matter what.
Here are some of the worst real-life breakups between co-stars who still had to work together after they broke up…
© Getty ImagesCole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart
Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart famously met on the set of the Netflix show Riverdale and confirmed they were a couple in 2018 in the aftermath of the series's debut.
They ultimately broke up in 2020, but their characters were still romantically involved on-screen and remained lovers until season four of the show, when Betty and Jughead broke up.
© Getty Images for EJAFNina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder started working together on The Vampire Diaries in 2009, and one year later, they revealed they had become a couple off-screen in 2010.
They dated for three years before going their separate ways and had to continue playing the series' main lovers, Elena and Damon, for two more seasons.
© WireImageJustin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz
Singer Justin Timberlake and Charlie's Angels star Cameron Diaz started dating after they met at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2003. They were a couple for three years before breaking up in 2006.
The exes reunited for a steamy scene in the film Bad Teacher less than four years later. At the time, Cameron said: "Justin and I have always had a good laugh together, and to make a movie where we get to have a laugh together, and there really was no one else who was more perfect for this part."
© Kevin MazurKaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki
Playing quirky couple Penny and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory, actors Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki met and fell in love for real.
On-screen, the pair of neighbours only got together after Kaley and Johnny broke up after secretly dating for two years.
"Johnny and I’s relationship, in a way, was mimicking Penny and Leonard. They were always giving each other [expletive], and Johnny and I have a similar relationship - which you do after years of being together. We’ve always had each other’s backs, and you can’t lose that," Kaley explained.
© Getty ImagesJennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult
The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence and her ex-boyfriend Nicholas Hoult first crossed paths on the set of X-Men: First Class.
The couple found romantic love outside of the set and dated from 2010 until 2014. Following their public breakup, they continued to play Raven/Mystique and Hank/Beast for two more films.
"All my boyfriends have been wonderful. Nick [Hoult] was a great boyfriend," Jennifer previously said of her ex-partner and co-star.
© WireImage for The Rose GroupAlexis Bledel and Milo Ventimiglia
While fans decided whether they were Team Jess or Dean, in real life, Gilmore Girls' Alexis Bledel and Milo Ventimiglia, who played the infamous Jess Mariano, were embarking on a romantic relationship of their own.
Their characters dated during season three of the hit 00s show, while the real-life couple lasted for three years before breaking up in 2006. They reunited on-set to film Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life in 2016.
