Abed Nadir
Jeffery Winger
Abed and Jeff have one of the more complex relationships. At first, they seem to be total opposites—Jeff is the cynical, self-absorbed lawyer who’s always trying to maintain his “cool” image, while Abed is the quirky, emotionally detached guy who views the world through the lens of TV shows and movies. However, as the series goes on, there’s a subtle understanding and respect that develops between the two. Jeff can’t fully comprehend Abed’s unique perspective on the world, but he starts to accept it. And Abed, in his own way, gets that Jeff’s “cool guy” persona is just a defense mechanism. There’s a quiet kind of affection there, even if neither of them expresses it in traditional ways. Abed often sees Jeff as a character in a story—he treats him like a “straight man” in their little sitcom-style adventures, and Jeff is occasionally weirded out by this, but there’s also a certain amusement and tolerance he develops for Abed’s oddities. In return, Abed gets Jeff in ways others don’t—he knows when Jeff is putting on an act or when he’s genuinely vulnerable. It’s not a super close friendship, but there’s a genuine bond and a lot of moments where they come through for each other in ways that feel earned and real, even if it’s through weird, humorous circumstances.
Britta Perry
Abed and Britta’s relationship is one of those interesting, quirky dynamics where they don’t always understand each other, but there’s a kind of mutual respect and acceptance. At first, Britta doesn’t totally “get” Abed. His socially awkward, pop culture-obsessed world is something she doesn’t relate to at all, and she often tries to engage with him in ways that feel forced or out of sync with his unique perspective. Abed, for his part, sees Britta as a bit of a chaotic, overly serious person who is constantly trying to seem more “put together” than she is. Despite their differences, there’s a certain level of affection between them. Abed doesn’t try to change Britta, and while Britta might try to help or “fix” Abed at times, she usually ends up rolling with his oddities. In fact, Abed is often more accepting of Britta’s contradictions than she is of his behavior. Their moments together are often more subtle than some of the other group dynamics, but there’s a warmth there. It’s more about understanding each other’s quirks and finding common ground, even if it’s not always obvious or conventional.
Annie Edison
Abed and Annie have one of the more unique and unexpectedly deep relationships. At first glance, they might seem like an unlikely pair—Abed with his emotionally detached, pop culture-driven worldview, and Annie with her overly ambitious, sometimes neurotic, but deeply earnest personality. But as the series progresses, you start to see that they understand each other in ways the other doesn’t fully recognize at first. Abed, with his particular way of seeing the world, treats Annie with a kind of quiet respect. He doesn’t expect her to fit into any mold or conform to societal expectations. He sees her for who she is—driven, a little insecure, and often trying to balance her ambitions with her personal life. Annie, in turn, sees Abed’s eccentricity not as something to be fixed, but as part of his unique charm. While she might not always understand his behavior or the way he processes the world, she never judges him for it and appreciates his sincerity. Their friendship is often built on a shared intellectual connection, whether that’s through Abed’s obsession with TV shows or Annie’s tendency to overthink. They complement each other well, with Annie occasionally bringing out a more emotional, grounded side of Abed, and Abed encouraging Annie to embrace her weirdness and creativity. While not as overtly emotional as some of the other relationships on the show, there’s a quiet, deep bond between them that feels genuine. They don’t need to always “get” each other to be close—they just respect each other’s differences and accept one another for who they are.
Troy Barnes
Abed and Troy have one of the most iconic and heartwarming friendships. Their relationship is special because it’s built on a shared sense of wonder, creativity, and a unique understanding of each other’s quirks. From the start, they’re a perfect match: Abed’s socially awkward, pop culture-obsessed perspective on the world clicks perfectly with Troy’s fun-loving, imaginative personality. Troy doesn’t need Abed to be anyone other than who he is, and Abed doesn’t try to change Troy either. They meet in the middle, creating a kind of “safe space” where they can both be their most authentic, sometimes weird selves. Together, they share countless silly adventures—whether it’s creating their own inside jokes, building elaborate fantasy worlds, or simply finding joy in the oddities of life. Abed, who often feels disconnected from most people, finds a true companion in Troy, someone who just gets him. And Troy, who might not always be the sharpest tool in the shed, finds someone who treats him with kindness and helps him tap into a deeper sense of creativity and emotional connection. There’s a childlike innocence to their bond—like two best friends who refuse to grow up. They support each other unconditionally, and even when they have their differences, they remain a constant for each other. It’s not just a friendship; it’s a partnership built on mutual trust, understanding, and a whole lot of goofy fun.
Shirley Bennet
Abed and Shirley have one of the more understated but genuinely interesting dynamics. At first glance, they don’t have a lot in common—Abed with his pop culture obsession and quirky, emotionally distant personality, and Shirley with her traditional, religious values and more straightforward approach to life. However, there’s a certain mutual respect between them. Shirley, despite her more conventional worldview, doesn’t judge Abed for his eccentricities. She accepts his unique perspective on the world, even if she doesn’t always understand it. Abed, in turn, appreciates Shirley’s kindness and moral clarity. He often views her in a somewhat “innocent” light, seeing her as someone who’s a bit too serious but also fundamentally good-hearted. While their interactions aren’t as frequent or as deeply developed as some of the other friendships on the show, they still share a lot of small, thoughtful moments. Shirley often acts as a kind of maternal figure to Abed, in her own way, and he, in return, treats her with a respect that many people in the group might not always give her. Their relationship is more about finding common ground through their differences—Abed’s oddness and Shirley’s traditionalism both create some funny and sometimes poignant moments. They don’t necessarily understand each other completely, but they’re always respectful, and there’s a quiet affection there, even if it’s not overtly expressed.
Piercenald Hawthorne
Abed and Pierce’s relationship is one of the more complex and sometimes uncomfortable dynamics. On the surface, they couldn’t seem more different—Abed with his quirky, pop culture-driven worldview and emotional detachment, and Pierce with his outdated, often inappropriate behavior and bigoted attitudes. They clash in many ways, and their interactions are frequently awkward, sometimes even a little tense. At first, Pierce sees Abed as another person to manipulate or belittle, much like he does with many others in the group. He doesn’t understand Abed’s unique perspective on the world and often tries to treat him like a “normal” person, which doesn’t work at all. Pierce’s attempts to connect with Abed often fall flat, and Abed’s lack of emotional response or social awareness can frustrate Pierce. However, over time, there are moments where they bond in unexpected ways. Abed, in his own offbeat way, doesn’t outright reject Pierce, even when Pierce is being particularly obnoxious. He tends to treat Pierce with a level of detachment that’s less about animosity and more about simply not engaging with him emotionally in the same way others do. In some sense, Abed is probably the least judgmental person when it comes to Pierce’s behavior, which can sometimes create a strange, albeit uncomfortable, rapport between them. Despite the tension, there are occasional moments where the two connect in small, unexpected ways—often because Abed’s lack of conventional emotion allows him to see Pierce’s vulnerability, even when others don’t.
