What Happened to Lip in Shameless? Who is His Girlfriend?

Shameless (British TV series)

Shameless is a comedy-drama television series originating from Britain, created and executive produced by Paul Abbott. The story is set in Manchester, specifically on the fictional Chatsworth council estate, and centers around the dysfunctional Gallagher family consisting of Frank, Fiona, Lip, Ian, Carl, Debbie, and Liam. The show serves as a portrayal and commentary on the life and culture of the British working class. Produced by Company Pictures, Shameless originally aired on Channel 4 from January 13, 2004, to May 28, 2013, spanning eleven series and totaling 139 episodes.

It received praise from the British media, including accolades from notable publications such as The Sun and the television program Newsnight Review on BBC Two. In 2005, the series won Best Drama Series at the BAFTA TV Awards and Best TV Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards. Notably, an American adaptation of Shameless also aired on Showtime from January 9, 2011, to April 11, 2021.

What Happened to Lip in Shameless?

Lip Gallagher’s journey in Shameless has been a compelling and heart-wrenching one, often leaving viewers frustrated. As Frank states in his farewell speech during the Frank Gallagher death scene, “Lip, you’re smart as a whip. You just can’t seem to get out of your own way.” From the very beginning of the show, Lip is portrayed as the Gallagher child with the greatest potential to escape poverty and build a better life. He possesses exceptional intelligence, excelling in math, engineering, and science. Lip was accepted into MIT and received a full-ride scholarship to Chicago Polytechnic. Being the second-oldest Gallagher sibling, he carries less responsibility for raising his brothers and sisters, giving him more opportunities to pursue his own dreams.

However, Shameless was never intended to be a guide on how to overcome poverty. Illustrating Lip’s success in the meritocratic American dream, where intelligence alone could uplift him from the South Side, would have betrayed the essence of the show, which focuses on survival and struggle within the confines of poverty rather than escaping it. In the final moments of Shameless, Lip decides to sell the Gallagher house for a mere $75,000, a significant drop from the $250,000 offer he previously had before losing the deal due to his own actions. He remains on the poverty line, working a food delivery job to support his girlfriend Tami and their son Freddie. Adding to their challenges, Tami reveals the possibility of another pregnancy, leading Lip and Tami to discuss the necessity of an abortion due to their inability to adequately support another child.

While Lip’s ending may not appear as a conventional success story from an outside perspective, his final conversation with Ian sheds light on the positive aspects of his character. Unlike Frank, Lip has been a devoted father to his son, working hard to provide for Freddie’s basic needs. Ian acknowledges that the rest of the Gallaghers see Lip as the closest thing they have to a father figure and offers Lip his share of the house sale proceeds to help him start a new life with Tami. Although Lip may have lost the dream of wealth and job security, he has maintained what truly matters to him throughout the series: his family, whether related by blood or not.

Shameless Lip Professor Girlfriend

In the fifth season of Shameless, Helene Runyon makes her debut. She is a professor at the college attended by Lip and their paths cross when he arrives late to her class due to issues with financial aid. Initially, Helene is unimpressed with Lip, particularly when he displays a lack of knowledge about her subject. However, Lip decides to visit Helene in her office, fearing that he might be facing expulsion. To his surprise, their conversation takes a different turn and Lip expresses his attraction to her. Initially resistant, Helene eventually gives in to their desires, leading to a sexual encounter. She discreetly informs others that she is involved with a student. What starts as a casual sexual relationship gradually develops into something more profound between the two.

Who Portrayed the Role of Lip Gallagher in Shameless?

Phillip “Lip” Gallagher, born on January 9, 1988, is the second child and eldest son of Frank and Monica Gallagher. His parents deliberately delayed registering his birth for more than a year, a fact revealed to Lip on his 18th birthday in the fourth series. According to his father, Lip acquired his nickname because he tended to be outspoken and opinionated. He is involved in a long-term, open relationship with Mandy Maguire, portrayed by Samantha Siddall. Lip appears in a total of 38 episodes throughout the series. Jody Lee Latham, born on January 9, 1983, is an English actor renowned for his portrayal of Lip Gallagher in the British comedy-drama series Shameless, broadcasted on Channel 4. 

About Shameless British TV Series 

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