Men Who Yearn

Swoon over our 14 most romantic characters this Valentine’s Day

It’s officially The Year of Yearning, and we have an iconic selection of hopeless romantics for you to pine over again and again. With the season of love in the air, we’re honouring your favourite fictional male crushes from film and TV, with their most yearn-worthy quotes that have earned them a spot on this list.

Heathcliff

Film: “Wuthering Heights” (2026)
Yearning for: Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie)

“Be with me always, take any form, drive me mad”
The most yearn-worthy character of 2026 is here, and who isn’t obsessed after hearing Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) say “so kiss me and let us both be damned”. Heathcliff’s desire burns as intensely as the sunset behind him for Cathy and the romantic tension has never been steamier than between these two souls.

“Wuthering Heights” is in cinemas February 13 – get ready to yearn for Heathcliff on the big screen.

Aragorn

Film: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
Yearning for: Arwen (Liv Tyler)

"I thought I had wandered into a dream."
Move over Eye of Sauron, Aragorn’s look of love is far more powerful. The fantasy king of yearning himself, Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson) would go to any length to be worthy of the immortal Arwen: his entire hope, purpose and courage revolve around his goal to win the right to be with Arwen as mortals together. A Romeo and Juliet-esque arc, separated by circumstance and united against all odds, one man’s quest for true love has never been more heroic.

Anthony Hope

Film: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Yearning for: Johanna (Jane Wisener)

"I was half-convinced I’d wakened
Satisfied enough to dream you
Happily, I was mistaken”
The new bare minimum is to literally sing about how much you love them. Played by none other than Jamie Campbell Bower in the 2007 musical, the yearning present is palpable, and we can’t help but become instantly jealous of Johanna in this scene alone.

Noah Calhoun

Film: The Notebook (2004)
Yearning for: Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams)

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul, and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever.”
Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) has been raising the bar since the 1940s. This relationship has its rocky moments, but nevertheless Noah will stop at nothing for Allie. He iconically goes as far as to build a house for her and lest we forget the letters he writes confessing his unyielding love for her. Safe to say he easily earns a spot on this list.

Greyworm

Series: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Yearning for: Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel)

“I was never the biggest, never the strongest. But I was bravest. Always. I believe it. Until I met Missandei from the Isle of Naath. Now I have fear”
As is the Unsullied way, Greyworm (Jacob Anderson) is trained to be devoid of emotion, but he cannot suppress his feelings for Missandei. Transforming him from soldier to human, his yearning is gentle but unwavering as he meets a kind figure in a harsh world that he would do whatever it takes to protect. Now that’s yearning at its finest.

Paul Atreides

Films: Dune (2021), Dune Part Two (2024)
Yearning for: Chani (Zendaya)

"I will love you as long as I breathe”
Despite a politically advantageous marriage to Princess Irulan on the horizon, Paul’s (Timothée Chalamet) desire for his true soulmate Chani does not extinguish. Meeting her first in dream, it’s clear the pair are destined for one another. Chani sees Paul for who he is, not the prophetic leader he is pressured to be, and Paul yearns for this grounding presence she brings into his life.

Jay Gatsby

Film: The Great Gatsby (2013)
Yearning for: Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan)

“I knew that when I kissed this girl, I would be forever wed to her.”
Jay Gatsby’s yearning is a much-debated topic. Whether it’s for Daisy, the green light, or a romanticised version of the past symbolised by the American Dream (think GCSE English), Jay (Leonardo DiCaprio) is eternally yearning for something just out of reach. Gatsby would go to any lengths for his beloved Daisy and his patience in waiting five years just to see her again is truly unmatched.

Victor Van Dort

Film: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005)
Yearning for: Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson)

“With this hand, I will lift your sorrows.Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine”
A romantic at heart, Victor (Johnny Depp) may struggle with the courage to express his feelings for Victoria, but they are nonetheless felt just as deeply. What starts as an arranged marriage quickly becomes genuine and mutual for the pair… until Victor gets accidentally whisked away by Emily, the Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham Carter). What ensues is a love triangle of yearning as Victor, Victoria and Emily all compete to keep the one they love.

Paris

Film: Helen of Troy (1956)
Yearning for: Helen (Rossana Podesta)

“For the Queen, tell her she'll walk in all my dreams”
The original yearner, Paris’ desire for Helen goes far enough to start a war between the Trojans and the Greeks. For the face that launched 1000 ships, Paris (Jacques Senas) would sacrifice it all to be with Helen, and never has yearning been more poetic (or dramatic). A yearning so powerful to topple a civilization and be the catalyst in founding the next (Ancient Rome), it’s hard to compete with Paris in this classical Epic.

Damon & Stefan Salvatore

Series: The Vampire Diaries (2009-2016)
Yearning for: Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev)

“I think the entire universe conspired to help me find you”
The love triangle that took over the 2010s, these brothers compete for Elena’s affection in this vampire drama. Although each arc is different, with Stefan’s (Paul Wesley) a softer yearning born from supernatural fate and Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) an intense transformative desire for Elena, it’s still near impossible to choose whether you’re Team Damon or Team Stefan every season.

Green Lantern/John Stewart

Series: Justice League (2001-2003), Justice League Unlimited (2004-2005)
Yearning for: Hawkgirl/Shayera Hol (Maria Canals)

"I see a man and a woman"
Colleagues and lovers, Hawkgirl is hesitant to admit her feelings for Green Lantern (Phil LaMarr) with the concern of balancing their relationship with their Justice League duties. Nevertheless, Green Lantern professes his love for her, seeing her for who she really is under the superhero persona. Reassuringly removing her anxieties, John Stewart simply sees them; ‘a man and a woman’

Ken

Film: Barbie (2023)
Yearning for: Barbie (Margot Robbie)

"Barbie has a great day every day. Ken only has a great day if Barbie looks at him.”
Perhaps a more misguided sense of yearning, Ken’s puppy-like longing for validation from Barbie can be sweet at times no matter how misplaced and unrequited. Nevertheless, the golden retriever energy Ken (Ryan Gosling) brings to the screen is still delightful to watch and we are reassured when Ken learns it is okay to just be Just Ken. His yearning may be in vain but is nonetheless committed as other members on this list.

Stack

Film: Sinners (2025)
Yearning for: Mary (Hailee Steinfeld)

“I love you. And I think about you every day. I just want to keep you someplace safe. And that was never going to be here. And it was never going to be with me”
The smooth Stack (Michael B. Jordan) drops his guard when unexpectedly reunited with an old flame: Mary. Breaking down his cool composure, we see Stack in his most honest and vulnerable with Mary, and there has never been a clearer sign of yearning than this. Whilst Stack may openly deny any lingering feelings for Mary, underneath tells a different story as he appears ashamed, can barely look her in the eye at first, giving away his love for her still. Mary and Stack’s love is magnetic, and they ultimately receive their ending: together for eternity.

Will Traynor

Film: Me Before You (2016)
Yearning for: Louise Clark (Emilia Clarke)

“Do you know something, Clark? You are pretty much the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning”
Despite Will’s initial apathetic resistance to Lou’s new role as his carer, their time together and her refreshingly bubbly personality evoke a change of heart for this once cold character. Our suspicions are confirmed that Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) is a natural yearner at heart when he pays attention to the small details in gifting Lou a pair of yellow stripey tights (IYKYK). However, the duo’s end is not as happy as some of the others on this list, as Will is concerned about holding Lou back in life. In his final selfless act to her, he leaves with the request that she should “Just live. Live boldly”.

If these men have made you believe in love again, check out our Valentine's collection now to watch all the best love stories.