Whether clad in furs armed with dragonglass, sat in regal attire on a throne cast from swords or surveying a kingdom in dusty climes, there is one thing that is certain for the people living in Westeros - relationships rarely last a full season.

In a show packed with gruesome action, fire-breathing dragons and wars waged every other episode, Game of Thrones isn't exactly the place for blossoming romances, tender kisses and stolen glances.

And chances are, you're more likely to die at a wedding than dance with a bridesmaid or knock over a champagne tower.

Despite its disastrous reputation for lasting romances, researchers have discovered that couples who regularly cosy up on the sofa to watch a television series are more likely to have lasting, loving relationships themselves.

According to research from the University of Aberdeen, bingeing on box sets or settling down to a movie marathon can improve the quality of a relationship as well as reinforcing a sense of commitment - even if your show of choice isn't exactly a hotbed for romantic scenes and storylines.

The study, published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, adds that couples who do not share friendship groups may see Friends gathered on a dusty sofa in a coffee shop or those telling the story of How I Met Your Mother around a booth in bar as adopted friends that can be shared together.

"What these results suggest to us is that when people have a hole in their social network that they share with their partners - they might become more motivated to share media as a way to compensate for that deficit," explains Dr Sarah Gomillio, who led the study.

So whether it's Ross Geller screaming 'We were on a break!' for the millionth repeat or endlessly cringing as Sheldon Cooper is unable to express raw emotion towards his girlfriend Amy, it doesn't matter if the relationships we consume on television are far from perfect, as it is their friendship groups that have been found to be a comforting watch.

Dr Gomillio adds: "Watching TV with a partner or watching a movie you both like is a really easy way to improve relationship quality and anyone can do it at any time so if this is something that is good for relationships, it might help us identify an intervention that can improve relationship quality."

Considering it's not what you watch, but who you watch it with, is the key to keeping relationships ticking away nicely, here's six unlikely television shows that could bring you and your partner closer together - despite the blood and the guts.

Game of Thrones

It may be a song of ice and fire, but Game of Thrones is probably better known for its x-rated liaisons and affairs, jealous lovers and vengeful houses hellbent on wreaking havoc in order to reach the ultimate goal of capturing the iron throne. It isn't exactly the most romantic of shows to watch with your other half, but when winter is coming, it's nice to have someone to cuddle up next to as another character is brutally murdered.

Breaking Bad

When the focus of this television show opens with a man cooking up drugs in a caravan to support a family, and an unlikeable one at that, it's hard to see why Walter White's foray into crystal meth would be an appealing show to watch with a loved one. But with a blend of dark humour, a dash of suspenseful action and a heaping spoonful of danger, Breaking Bad is a pretty good watch with your other half. The main character is trying to ensure his pregnant wife and disabled son are comfortable after all, which is kind of sweet. Sort of.

The Walking Dead

The perfect excuse to draw up your own plan of action should the zombie apocalypse occur (probably don't write down popping to your local for a pint and wait for it all the blow over), there's six seasons of this suspenseful drama set in a post-apocalyptic words for you to sink your teeth into before the seventh enjoys its premiere in October. Root for characters, but don't get too invested in any romances - the only love hearts you're likely to see on this show are those ripped from chests alongside intestines and kidneys by the undead. Lovely.

Hannibal

You've seen the movies but the television series which offers the back story behind Hannibal Lecter is a delicious, stylish recipe of full of gothic nuances with a lot of blood, guts and close up shots of food that your aren't entirely sure are human or animal. Plus you and your other half can debate over whether Anthony Hopkins or Mads Mikkelsen make a better Hannibal as you pledge to become vegans after episode one.

American Horror Story

A dark, disturbing and downright horrific set of self-contained series to catch up on, American Horror Story is an awfully brilliant show to watch with a partner. Each season focuses on a different theme, with a witches coven, an asylum and a house with a murderous past covered in past seasons. Season five, arguably the show's best yet, focuses on a creepy hotel in LA starring Lady Gaga and will have you questioning what you would do if you were to be separated from a loved one or if blood cocktails would actually taste nice. With the majority of the cast returning to play different roles each season, half the fun is trying to remember which role they played previously. But of course, at its heart is a horror story, so prepare for plenty of creepy children, monsters, vampires and a very haunting theme tune. Get caught up before the sixth season returns later this month.

Stranger Things

Potentially the biggest series to come from Netflix this year with a second season already in the pipeline, this creepy other-worldly show is packed with nostalgia, great acting and the biggest amount of fairy lights you will ever lay your eyes on. Playing on the classic jump scares, the story of how a group of kids resolve to find their friend after he goes missing in a sleepy town is definitely one for watching with the lights on. It's probably advisable you watch this with a partner actually, as any lights which start to flicker in your house is likely to freak you out for a fortnight after watching.