With the news that the Emmy-winning series The Bear will return in June, it’s the perfect time to check out the other Chicago-set series that Jeremy Allen White starred in for 10 years before any of us knew the name Carmy Berzatto: Shameless. White plays Lip, the second oldest of six kids raised by a mostly-absent, neglectful single dad (William H. Macy) whose carefree attitude toward addiction affects all of them. Because of the show’s length, all six of the Gallagher siblings grow up in front of our eyes and become fully realized characters — even when they’re making stupid decisions, it’s hard not to root for them. And with a title like Shameless, you have to expect some moments that are, well… shameless. In the midst of all of that, the Gallagher siblings all get chances to fall in and out of love (many times with the same person over many seasons, in the case of the series’ strongest relationship) and reach their lowest points time and time again, but it balances nicely with any small victories they can squeeze out of their lives. With 134 episodes and a frenetic pace throughout, it’s a great show to hold you over until we reunite with the Original Beef of Chicagoland crew.
Photo: Showtime
