Troy Barnes
Jeffery Winger
At first, Jeff kind of sees Troy as this stereotypical jock—charming, popular, a bit of a doofus—which makes sense since Jeff was the cool guy himself. So in the early seasons, Jeff tries to be a kind of mentor to Troy, like an older brother or smooth-talking role model. He even tries to mold Troy into a “mini-Jeff” at times, especially when it comes to women or how to navigate social situations with detached coolness. But the thing is… Troy doesn’t really need Jeff. Troy grows past him. As the show progresses, Troy becomes more independent, more emotionally open, and leans into his friendship with Abed—something Jeff never quite understands. Jeff admires that vulnerability in Troy, even if he doesn’t say it out loud. Meanwhile, Troy starts to realize that Jeff’s cynicism isn’t something to aspire to, and that being earnest and weird might actually be better. There’s affection there, definitely, but also tension. Jeff is a little jealous of Troy’s natural likability and innocence. Troy, at times, looks up to Jeff but eventually recognizes his flaws. So while they’re friendly, they don’t really need each other in the way other duos in the group do. It’s like a cool older guy watching his younger friend outgrow him—and deep down, he’s kind of proud, even if it stings.
Britta Perry
Troy and Britta have a relationship that starts off pretty light and casual. In the beginning, they’re part of the same friend group, and while they don’t interact deeply at first, they start to connect more as time goes on. Troy is goofy, fun-loving, and emotionally open in a way that contrasts with Britta’s intense, idealistic, and often self-serious personality. That contrast creates both tension and chemistry. Britta sometimes treats Troy like he’s less mature, but over time she comes to respect his emotional intelligence and kindness. Troy, meanwhile, sees through Britta’s tough exterior and appreciates her compassion—even when she’s trying really hard to seem cool or progressive. Their relationship has an underlying sweetness. They balance each other out: Britta brings the cause-driven seriousness, and Troy brings the heart and levity. It’s not a dramatic or flashy dynamic, but more of a quiet, slowly-building connection with moments of real affection and mutual growth. It’s the kind of relationship that’s built on friendship first, with the potential for something more, depending on how things develop.
Annie Edison
They actually go way back—they knew each other in high school—but they were very different people back then. Troy was the popular football star, and Annie was the studious, tightly wound overachiever. That dynamic carries into the group at first, with Annie kind of idealizing Troy, and Troy being nice but not super tuned into her feelings. As they both grow throughout the series, they develop more of a friendly, supportive bond. Annie starts to see Troy as more than just the goofy jock, appreciating his emotional depth and kindness. Troy, in turn, becomes more aware of Annie’s strength and complexity beneath her perfectionist surface. There’s a sweetness to their interactions—they tease each other sometimes, but there’s no real cruelty. It’s more like a sibling-y, flirtation-adjacent friendship. They’re not the closest pair in the group, but when they do connect, it’s usually warm, light, and sprinkled with nostalgia. It’s like they’re two people who started out on completely different pages but, over time, come to see each other more clearly—as real, growing individuals.
Abed Nadir
Their relationship is a genuine, joyful, deep friendship. From the start, they just get each other in a way no one else really does. Abed’s quirky, pop culture-obsessed mind finds a perfect match in Troy’s playful, imaginative energy. What starts off as a bit of an unlikely pairing—former high school jock and eccentric film nerd—quickly turns into one of the most wholesome and iconic friendships on TV. They support each other unconditionally, they make each other laugh, and they build a world together that’s full of creativity, weirdness, and acceptance. Around each other, they’re totally free to be themselves, no judgment. It’s silly and fun, sure—but also deeply loyal and emotionally real. They’re not just best friends—they’re a team, a duo, a full-on unit. And whether they’re having imaginary adventures or just hanging out in total comfort, their bond is built on trust, respect, and a whole lot of love (in the platonic soulmates kind of way).
Shirley Bennet
At first, their relationship is shaped a bit by Shirley’s tendency to mother people in the group, and Troy definitely gives off that younger-brother energy. She sometimes treats him like a kid who needs guidance or discipline—especially when his behavior gets a little too goofy or immature—but it’s rarely mean-spirited. She wants the best for him, and he knows that. Troy, on the other hand, respects Shirley, even if he doesn’t always understand her strong values or strict boundaries. He never really pushes back against her—if anything, he tends to soften around her and take her seriously in a way he doesn’t with everyone. They’re not the tightest pair in the group, but when they do have one-on-one moments, they’re often surprisingly genuine. It’s a “respectful distance with occasional bursts of warmth” kind of relationship. Like a friend’s mom you grew up around and still kind of want to impress.
Piercenald Hawthorne
At the beginning, Pierce sees Troy as someone he can try to mentor, though in a very outdated, inappropriate, and sometimes patronizing way. He’s often trying to get Troy’s attention with attention-grabbing or shocking behavior, which Troy doesn’t always know how to handle. For Troy, Pierce is a bit of a wild card—he doesn’t fully understand the older man’s behavior but usually rolls with it, sometimes even humorously. Over time, their dynamic shifts. While Pierce is often an antagonist or source of conflict for others, he does form a kind of odd, mentor-mentee connection with Troy—albeit one full of bizarre moments. Despite Pierce’s flaws, there are times when Troy does seem to care about him, even if he’s not always sure how to express it. It’s not a deep, emotional bond, but their interactions add a lot of comedic flavor to the show. It’s more like a series of strange, unexpected moments where Pierce’s weirdness clashes with Troy’s naïve energy.
