The Harley Quinn showrunners have promised that Harley and Ivy will never break up. The animated series follows the misadventures of Harley Quinn (voiced by Kaley Cuoco), after breaking up with the Joker, as she sets off to find success in Gotham City on her own, alongside her best friend Poison Ivy (voiced by Lake Bell) and other heroes and villains. Airing on HBO Max, it's become known for its dark humor and for making deep cuts into DC Comics lore.
Since its premiere in 2019, the Harley Quinn has received mostly favorable reviews, with critics praising its humor, energy, LGBTQ+ representation, and strong voice cast. The series was renewed for a second and third season, with Harley Quinn season 3 just recently starting up. While the first season focused on Harley starting afresh and making a name for herself, season 2 was bolder and more chaotic, and had vengeance and romance, notably resulting in Harley and Ivy finally getting together. The new season 3 sees Harley and Ivy as the new power couple of DC villainy in Gotham, as they begin building a new life together as partners in crime and in love.
Now, in an interview with AV Club, Harley Quinn showrunners Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker have promised that they will never break up Harley and Ivy. While the romance between the two villains has been mostly viewed in a positive light, Halpern and Schumacker say they occasionally hear some say they don't like Harley and Ivy together and that she should get back with the Joker. Nevertheless, the showrunners assure that the girlfriends will stay together, as long as they have control. Read their full quote below:
"For me, we still have the occasional fan reaction of 'I don’t like Harley and Ivy together. She should get back with the Joker,' which we’re never going to do. Harley and Ivy will never break up in the series as long as we have a say. That’s something that we never want to touch again."
The relationship between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy has been touted as one of the series' highlights. While the two characters have been portrayed as both best friends and a sapphic couple in multiple media, as well as each character being canonically bisexual, the series didn't immediately delve into their romance, as a means to allow for the development of the two characters individually before bringing them together. A highly-anticipated romance, Harley Quinn season 2 saw the relationship becoming official, to the delight of a majority of the series' fans. And now, fans can feel confident that Harley and Ivy will continue their lives together in the series through and beyond Harley Quinn season 3.
Harley Quinn has done a great job at not only fleshing out Harley as a complex character, but also at exploring both her platonic and romantic relationships with Ivy. The LGBTQ+ relationship that develops between the two has particularly been praised, and rightfully so. Harley and Ivy are written as individual complex characters who go on to come together in a romantic, sapphic relationship that isn't poorly done and that doesn't fall into traps like harmful, stereotypical LGBTQ+ tropes or narratives. The series is a testament to how to handle an LGBTQ+ romance and be an example for other productions to follow. And with the news of Harley and Ivy remaining together for good in the series, it's safe to say that the rightful excitement and praise will continue, especially if there's even more seasons on the way.
Source: AV Club