21 Couples Who Had To Work Together After Their Real-Life Relationships Ended

If you've ever sent a couple onscreen, you're probably familiar with the feeling of satisfaction that comes with watching your favorite characters fall in love offscreen. Sometimes fictional romances that turn into real relationships work (see: Zendaya and Tom Holland). Other times, however, the actors who play the on-screen lovers don't always stay together in real life.

There are plenty of acting couples who had to work together after breaking up IRL, and we imagine the experience is pretty awkward. Even if they don't share intimate scenes, shooting a TV show or movie with an ex means a lot of time together. Some A-list exes were able to stay cordial – for example, Penn Badgley said he and Blake Lively “got it” and remained professional when their “Gossip Girl” characters had to share a kiss after their breakup real. Others had a little more trouble separating art from life and seeing their exes on set every day.

From Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder in 'The Vampire Diaries' to Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes in 'Outer Banks', here are some stars who became couples who had to continue working together after breaking up.