Top 12 "Greatest Couples" from GH per Soap Opera Digest[1]
A supercouple is a highly popular and dynamic pairing that intrigues and fascinates the public. Typically found in fictional works like television shows and literature, the term can also apply to real-life celebrities. Though often successful, the supercouple model has faced criticism for limiting the potential of other love interests.
Definition
Luke and Laura, iconic figures in soap opera history, are widely regarded as the quintessential supercouple, elevating the term’s prominence beyond the genre and inspiring other soap operas to replicate their successful formula. While earlier supercouples existed, Luke and Laura’s cultural impact defined the archetype.
The supercouple formula typically blends action, romance, and formidable obstacles for the couple to navigate. During the "golden age" of soap operas, pairs like Luke and Laura, Robert and Holly, Duke and Anna and Frisco and Felicia exemplified this model, captivating audiences with their dramatic arcs.
True supercouples demonstrate unimaginable resilience, overcoming internal and external challenges—ranging from personal conflicts to extreme circumstances—to stay together. Notable examples of controversial supercouple challenges include, Luke’s rape of Laura, Alan and Monica’s mutual murder attempts and their polarizing marital rape plot, Jason’s threat against Sam, and Sonny’s abusive behavior toward Carly and Brenda, notably in the infamous "wire scene."
Many of these storylines, now often deemed toxic, would likely be rejected by modern audiences. Nevertheless, the lasting popularity of these pairings underscores the complex, turbulent "dark side" of the intense supercouple pairs, who continue to captivate fans despite their controversial elements.
Impact
Soap opera media outlets like Soap Opera Digest, Soaps In Depth, Soap Opera News, Soaps.com, and Soap Hub frequently publish subjective rankings of top supercouples, greatest couples, or fan-favorite pairs. These lists vary, with rankings shifting based on the publication, but certain couples consistently appear.
Occasionally, mainstream entertainment outlets, such as TV Insider, also feature similar lists, as seen in this 2024 example.
Signature supercouple, Luke and Laura, transcended soap operas, gaining recognition in broader popular culture. Their wedding was ranked #35 on TV Guide’s "100 Most Memorable Moments in TV History," underscoring their cultural significance.
In recent years, modern soap opera couples have also achieved recognition beyond the genre. For example:
- In 2010, Patrick and Robin were referenced on the Late Show with David Letterman, where Letterman humorously listed Patrick as #9 on President Barack Obama’s Top Ten Enemies List due to his affair with Lisa Niles.
- In 2014, Jason and Sam were the only soap opera couple included in the People's Choice Awards competition for Most Romantic TV Couple, securing a spot due to strong fan support.
Many supercouples also have signature songs associated with key moments in their relationships, enhancing their emotional resonance. Examples include:
- "Greatest Love Affair" for Robert and Holly
- "Home Again" for Sonny and Brenda
- "Where You Are" for Lucky and Elizabeth
These elements—media rankings, mainstream recognition, and dedicated songs—highlight the enduring appeal and cultural impact of soap opera supercouples.
Specials
In 2018, General Hospital released special collections for supercouples, Jason and Sam and Sonny and Carly. The collections, appearing on the show's website, highlighted unforgettable moments in both couple's love stories.[2][3]
In 2020, when production was shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, GH dedicated three weeks in June to showcase fan favorite supercouples. With each couple having its own dedicated week, Luke and Laura, Jason and Sam, and Sonny and Carly were featured.
GH & its Spinoffs
Over the years, the couples listed below have been named popular supercouples by ABC and/or General Hospital fans.
(According to Wikipedia)
- Bold typeface represents couples still together while - onscreen, offscreen, or at death
Official
- Alan and Monica Quartermaine (Dissolved by his death)
- Damian Spinelli and Maxie Jones (Maxie Jones offscreen)
- Dante Falconeri and Lulu Spencer
- Duke Lavery and Anna Devane (Dissolved by his death)
- Frisco Jones and Felicia Cummings (Frisco Jones offscreen)
- Jason Morgan and Elizabeth Webber
- Jason Morgan and Sam McCall (Dissolved by her death)
- Jasper Jacks and Brenda Barrett (Both offscreen)
- Jasper Jacks and Carly Spencer (Jasper Jacks offscreen)
- Kevin Collins and Lucy Coe (Kevin Collins offscreen)
- Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Webber (Lucky Spencer offscreen)
- Luke Spencer and Laura Webber (Dissolved by his death)
- Nikolas Cassadine and Emily Quartermaine (Dissolved by her death)
- Patrick Drake and Robin Scorpio-Drake (Both offscreen)
- Rafe Kovich and Alison Barrington (Port Charles; dissolved by his death)
- Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane (Robert Scorpio offscreen)
- Robert Scorpio and Holly Sutton (Both offscreen)
- Sean and Tiffany Donely (Dissolved by his death; Tiffany Donely offscreen)
- Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett (Brenda Barrett offscreen)
- Sonny Corinthos and Carly Spencer
- Spencer Cassadine and Trina Robinson (Dissolved by his death)
- Stephen Clay and Livvie Locke-Clay (Port Charles; dissolved by her death)
- Stone Cates and Robin Scorpio (Dissolved by his death; Robin Scorpio-Drake offscreen)
Unofficial
- Dillon Quartermaine and Georgie Jones (Dissolved by her death; Dillon Quartermaine offscreen)
- Edward and Lila Quartermaine (Dissolved by her death)
- Johnny Zacchara and Lulu Spencer (Johnny Zacchara offscreen)
- Julian Jerome and Alexis Davis (Dissolved by his death)
- Mac and Felicia Scorpio
- Nathan West and Maxie Jones (Dissolved by his presumed death; Maxie Jones offscreen)
- Nikolas Cassadine and Gia Campbell (Both offscreen)
- Rick and Lesley Webber (Dissolved by his death; Lesley Webber offscreen)
- Scott and Dominique Baldwin (Dissolved by her death; Scott Baldwin offscreen)
- Steve and Audrey Hardy (Dissolved by his death; Audrey Hardy offscreen)
- Tony Jones and Bobbie Spencer (Dissolved by his death)
- Tony and Tania Jones (Dissolved by her death)
Potential
- Dante Falconeri and Sam McCall (Dissolved by her death)
- Drew Cain and Sam McCall (Dissolved by her death)
- Ethan Lovett and Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Ethan Lovett offscreen)
- Franco and Elizabeth Baldwin (Dissolved by his death)
- Hamilton Finn and Hayden Barnes (Both offscreen)
- Harrison Chase and Willow Tait
- Kevin and Laura Collins (Kevin Collins offscreen)
- Morgan Corinthos and Ava Jerome (Dissolved by his death)
- Ned Quartermaine and Lois Cerullo (Lois Cerullo offscreen)
- Scott Baldwin and Liesl Obrecht (Scott Baldwin offscreen)
- Tom Hardy and Simone Ravelle (Both offscreen)
- Valentin Cassadine and Anna Devane
- Zander Smith and Emily Quartermaine (Dissolved by his death)
Galleries
GH - Luke & Laura Promo (1 of 2) - Oct 1993
Luke and Laura Return Part 1 (1993)
GH - Luke and Laura Promo (2 of 2) - Oct 1993
Luke and Laura Return Part 2 (1993)
General Hospital Promo- The Best of Jason & Sam (2020)
The Best of Jason and Sam (2020)
General Hospital Promo- The Best of Sonny & Carly (2020)
The Best of Sonny and Carly (2020)
