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20 Fantastic Shows Like Shameless That Show Life’s Ups and Downs

Not sure what to watch after Shameless? I have got you covered with this awesome list of 20 tv shows like Shameless. 

Some of them are even available on Netflix.

Isn’t that cool?

First, I will list all the Shameless Season 7 and Season 8 episodes, along with a peek at what to expect in Shameless season 9.

I know some of you can’t get enough of this adult-sized drama and the Shameless cast and want to watch again (including me).

Then, I will share my awesome list of series like Shameless.

I’ve included details about the show, as well as teasers and trailers so you can find the best shows for you!

Let’s dive in.

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SHAMELESS SEASON 7 EPISODES

1. Shameless: Hiraeth

Frank wakes up from a coma to find no one missed him. Season premiere.

WATCH

2. Shameless: Swipe, F**k, Leave

Frank starts a new life barricaded on the top floor of the Gallagher home.

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3. Shameless: Home Sweet Homeless Shelter

Frank makes new friends at the shelter to replace his old family.

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4. Shameless: I Am A Storm

Frank tries to save his shelter through a little neighborhood goodwill.

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5. Shameless: Own Your Sh*t

Frank and his clan get to keep the shelter thanks to a rich philanthropist.

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6. Shameless: The Defenestration of Frank

Fiona invests in a laundromat. Kev and V discover a shocking secret.

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7. Shameless: You’ll Never Ever Get a Chicken in Your Whole Entire Life

Fiona learns that owning a laundromat is costlier than expected.

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8. Shameless: You Sold Me the Laundromat, Remember?

Fiona takes a DIY approach to renovating. Lip goes before the school board.

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9. Shameless: Ouroboros

Monica is back! And her first task is to help Debbie get back Franny.

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10. Shameless: Ride or Die

Fiona, facing mounting issues, contemplates an offer to buy the laundromat.

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11. Shameless: Happily Ever After

Frank and Monica have a proposal for the kids. Fiona sees an opportunity.

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12. Shameless: Requiem for a Slut

The Gallaghers grapple with the loss of one of their own. Season finale.

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SHAMELESS SEASON 8 EPISODES

1. Shameless: We Become What We … Frank!

The Gallaghers find themselves with money to burn. Season premiere.

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2. Shameless: Where’s My Meth?Frank joins the workforce! Fiona grapples with evicting a tenant.

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3. Shameless: God Bless Her Rotting Soul

A meth dealer threatens the Gallaghers. Fiona battles a vindictive tenant..

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4. Shameless: F**k Paying It Forward

A blast from the past shakes up Fiona. Frank gets involved with Liam’s PTA.

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5. Shameless: The (Mis)Education of Liam Fergus Beircheart Gallagher

Fiona tries to raise the ‘hood’s profile; Carl gets creative with tuition.

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6. Shameless: Icarus Fell and Rusty Ate Him

Fiona reflects on her life after a tenant dies. Frank gets a credit card.

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7. Shameless: Occupy Fiona

Ian tests Fiona with a protest at her front door. Frank goes on a job hunt.

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8. Shameless: Frank’s Northern Shuttle Express

Frank starts a booming business. Fiona considers moving into her own place.

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9. Shameless: The Fugees

Frank’s business takes a turn. Fiona tries to fit in with Ford’s friends..

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10. Shameless: Church of Gay Jesus

Ian’s fame may be more than he can handle; Frank finds a way to cash in.

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11. Shameless: A Gallagher Pedicure

Fiona’s tenants barricade themselves inside. Frank considers retirement.

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12. Shameless: Sleepwalking

Fiona digs deep; Lip makes a tough decision; Frank schemes. Season finale.

WATCH

FYI, Shameless Season 8 is now available on Netflix for those who have been waiting!

When Does Shameless Season 9 Air on Showtime?

Shameless Season 9 premiers on September 9th at 9PM. Get it? 9 on 9/9 at 9? The only thing that would make it more perfect is if it was the year 1999!

While we don’t have an episode guide quite yet, we can tell you that this is going to be the biggest season of Shameless yet! Literally…it is a couple of episodes longer than the first 8 seasons. How excited are you about that? I wish it was twice as long, but I’ll take any extra doses of the Gallagher family that Showtime is willing to give me!

So, here’s the thing: Showtime added two more episodes to the season. That doesn’t sound like much, but they’re also breaking the season up into two chunks. The first half of Shameless Season 9 will air, as I mentioned, starting on 9/9/18 at 9PM and runs through October 21st.

Then, we take a little break and pick up where we left off on January 20th. If you think about it, that’s about the same amount of time between the mid-season finale and spring premiere of other major network shows.

With 7 episodes in each half, that puts the Shameless season 9 finale right about mid-late March, leaving us with just a few months until it’s time for Shameless season 10.

Speaking of Shameless Season 10, while Showtime hasn’t officially renewed the hit series, William H. Macy talked about it in an interview with TV Insider. When asked when he thought the show would wrap up, he said, “Ten altogether sounds just about right, otherwise I might get bored.”

Who’s Who and Who’s New in Shameless Season 9?

All of your favorites are coming back, thank goodness. I get nervous because too many shows that I love end up killing off characters or firing actors out of the blue. Let’s take a peek at our returning Gallaghers.

Returning Players

  • William H. Macy as Frank
  • Emmy Rossum as Fiona
  • Jeremy Allen White as Lip
  • Cameron Monaghan as Ian
  • Emma Kenney as Debbie
  • Christian Isaiah as Liam
  • Shanolah Hampton as Veronica
  • Steve Howie as Kev

Learn more about the cast of Shameless here. 

Who’s new on Shameless season 9?

Shameless season 9 has a few new faces, too!

Dan Lauria

Dan Lauria joins the cast as Mo White, a disgraced ex-Congressman who turns to Frank, of all people, to help fix his reputation. Frank as a reputation manager? Can’t wait to see how that goes! Wondering where you’ve seen that mug? While Lauria has played in numerous TV shows over the years, you probably know him best as the dad on The Wonder Years.

Ashley Romans

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjqX6d5DgoC/?taken-by=romansash

Ashley Romans plays Alex, a construction worker who everyone keeps mistaking for a man. Fun fact: Romans played Hermoine Granger in the fan-fiction web series, Hermoine Granger and the Quarter-Life Crisis.

While you’re waiting for Shameless Season 9 to premier, check out these other great shows that will definitely make you laugh so hard that you cry…or cry so hard you laugh!

 

20 Best Shows Like Shameless

Shameless is a comedy drama television series that premiered on Showtime on January 9, 2011 and is now in its 8th season.

The series centers around the life of the Gallagher Family, who is rather dysfunctional, led by daddy Frank, played by William H. Macy.

Frank does nothing all day except drink, sleeps around with woman and cheats the state welfare system, while his 6 children fend for themselves and learn the ways of their dad.

Here are some other TV shows like Shameless.

1- Weeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8gyi7-tRJM

Weeds is a comedy drama television series that premiered on Showtime on August 7, 2005 and ended on September 16, 2012, after eight seasons.

The series is about Nancy Botwin, a widowed suburban mother, who supports her family by selling marijuana. Weeds stars Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould and Kevin Nealon.

  1. Looking

Looking is a comedy drama television series that premiered on HBO on January 19, 2014.

The series focuses on the lives of three best friends: Patrick Murray, Agustin Lanuez and Dom Basaluzzo. Looking stars Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett.

  1. Sirens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEWCyb408Q0

Sirens is a comedy television series that premiered on the USA Network on March 6, 2014 and ended on April 22, 2015, after two seasons.

The series follows the happenings of three EMT paramedics in Chicago; Johnny Farrell, Hank St. Clare and Brian Czyk, who are excellent at their jobs, despite having narcissistic personalities.

Sirens stars Michael Mosley, Kevin Daniels and Kevin Bigley.

  1. Californication

Californication is a comedy drama television series that premiered on Showtime on August 13, 2007 and ended on June 29, 2014, after seven seasons.

The series focuses on Hank Moody, a novelist who suffers from writer’s block and who is a womanizer, drug addict and alcoholic.

Californication stars David Duchovny, Madeleine Martin, Natascha McElhone, Evan Handler and Pamela Adlon.

 

►►Related ► 5 Drama-Filled & Hilarious Shows Like Californication

  1. The Affair

The Affair is a drama television series that premiered on Showtime on October 12, 2014.

The series focuses on the extramarital affair between Noah Solloway, a married struggling novelist with 4 kids and Alison Lockhart, a waitress who is trying to put her marriage back together after the loss of a child.

The Affair stars Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson.

  1. Hung

Hung is a comedy drama television series that premiered on HBO on June 28, 2009 and ended on December 4, 2011, after 3 seasons.

The series showcases on Ray Drecker, a high school basketball coach, who is down on his luck and uses his greatest asset to make some extra cash. Hung stars Thomas Jane.

  1. Rake

Rake is a comedy drama television series that was adapted from the Australian television series, of the same name, which has aired since November 4, 2010. It premiered on FOX on January 23, 2014 and ended on June 27, 2014, after 1 season.

The series centers on Keegan Deane, an attorney who is self-destructive and owes money to almost every person on his life. Rake stars Greg Kinnear.

  1. Nurse Jackie

Nurse Jackie is a medical, comedy drama television series that premiered on Showtime on June 8, 2009 and ended on June 28, 2015, after 7 seasons.

The series focuses on Jackie Peyton, an emergency room nurse, who is a drug addict, trying to balance her work life and personal life.

Nurse Jackie stars Edie Falco.

  1. You’re the Worst

You’re the Worst is a comedy drama television series that premiered on FX/FXX on July 17, 2014.

The series focuses on Jimmy Shive-Overly and Gretchen Cutler, a pair who are toxic, self-destructive and fall in love.

You’re the Worst stars Chris Geere and Aya Cash.

  1. Six Feet Under

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOnbphzOZ4o

Six Feet Under is a comedy drama television series that premiered on HBO on June 3, 2001 and ended on August 21, 2005, after 5 seasons.

The series showcases the lives of the dysfunctional Fisher family, who run a funeral home.

Six Feet Under stars Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy and Lauren Ambrose. If you like dark humor, this is definitely one of the best TV shows like Shameless to watch!

 

 

  1. United States of Tara

United States of Tara is a comedy drama television series that premiered on Showtime on January 18, 2009 and ended on June 20, 2011, after 3 seasons.

The series centers on Tara Gregson, a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and a dysfunctional family. United States of Tara stars Toni Collette.

  1. Skins

Skins is a British, teen, comedy drama television series that premiered on January 25, 2007 and ended on August 5, 2013, after 7 seasons.

The series showcases a group of teenagers, dealing with issues such as bullying, dysfunctional families, mental illness and substance abuse. Skins has featured an array of cast members, including Kaya Scodelario, Hannah Murray and Nicholas Hoult.

  1. Easy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzRjfA_9Akw

Easy is a comedy drama anthology television series that premiered on Netflix on September 22, 2016.

The series flows a group of friends who deal with various issues such as culture, love, sex and technology. Easy has featured an array of cast members, including Aubrey Plaza, Hannibal Buress and Orlando Bloom.

 

  1. Trailer Park Boys

Trailer Park Boys is a Canadian mockumentary television series that premiered on Showcase on April 22, 2001 and ended on June 10, 2007, after 7 seasons.

The series then made its premiere on Netflix on September 5, 2014.

The series centers on Bubbles, Julian and Ricky, who are petty criminals, living life in a trailer park. Trailer Park Boys stars Mike Smith, John Paul Tremblay and Robb Wells.

  1. Raising Hope

Raising Hope is a sitcom television series that premiered on FOX on September 21, 2010 and ended on April 4, 2014, after 4 seasons.

The series centers on Jimmy Chance, who finds himself raising his infant daughter, the result of a one-night stand, after his baby mama ends up on death row for being a serial killer.

Raising Hope stars Lucas Neff.

  1. Big Love

Big Love is a drama television series that premiered on HBO on March 12, 2006 and ended on March 20, 2011, after 5 seasons.

The series showcases the life of Bill Henrickson, a polygamist, and his 3 wives- Barbara Henrickson, Nikki Grant and Margie Heffman. Big Love stars the late actor- Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny and Ginnifer Goodwin.

  1. Orange is the New Black

Orange is the New Black is one of the shows that put Netflix on the map as THE destination for quirky, raw, and edgy original programming.

The show originally aired in 2013, and Netflix just added the entire 5th to their streaming service season back in November.

The show focuses on Piper Chapman, a woman convicted of a decade-old crime.

While it’s mostly comedic, it does show how life-changing prison can really be.

Related ►Top 5 Most Epic Quotes from Shameless Season 1

 

  1. Bates Motel

What does a show about a serial killer in the making have to do with Shameless. Think about it.

Norman Bates comes from the epitome of a dysfunctional family! Bates Motel began airing on A&E back in 2013 and ended in 2017 after five seasons.

The show stars Freddie Highmore as Norman. If he looks familiar, rewatch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the Johnny Depp version) to find out why! He’s now starring in The Good Doctor on ABC.

Related ► 5 More Uber-Creepy Shows Like Bates Motel

  1. Nip/Tuck

Nip/Tuck aired from 2003-2010 on F/X and followed the lives of two plastic surgeons in Los Angeles.

While Sean (Dylan Walsh) and Christian (Julian McMahon) weren’t technically related, they were as close as family can be, and trust me, they were as dysfunctional as it gets.

Like Shameless, Nip/Tuck pushes the boundaries almost to the breaking point and is definitely an “18+ only” show.

It’s a bit tamer than Shameless because it aired on cable instead of a premium station, but they definitely went as far as they could within the rules for cable television.

  1. House of Lies

House of Lies is a Showtime show that aired for five seasons, from 2012 to 2016.

It follows a group of management consultants who will do anything to get the job done, even if that means using people.

Think of it as a subversive, scathing look at the seedy underbelly of the corporate world.

The show starred Kristen Bell & Don Cheadle.

 

 

Many of these tv shows like Shameless are available to watch on Netflix and Amazon Video (which is free with your Prime, in case you didn’t know that). FYI, Shameless Season 8 is included with a Showtime subscription through Amazon Video.

Which of these TV shows like Shameless do you love most? Share below!

 

18 thoughts on “20 Fantastic Shows Like Shameless That Show Life’s Ups and Downs”

  1. I don’t watch any of these shows – maybe now that it’s the summer, I may have to start checking some of them out 🙂

  3. I love getting recommendations for shows! I haven’t seen any of these shows. I love a new series though!

  4. I see I’ve been missing out because I haven’t seen any of these yet. I’m going to check them out because I love a good comedy and Netflix.

  6. I love watching different shows in Netflix, but honestly I have never watched Shameless before. Sounds like a great show & I love the other recommendations as well which are similar to it.

  8. This is the first time I’m hearing about Shameless. I had no idea there’s a show like that. I think Weeds is awesome! Thanks for the heads-up, I’d love to check this out.

  9. Wow – I feel out of the loop! I thought I was watching the good shows and somehow, I have yet to watch any of these! We just started watching Stranger Things and we’re really enjoying it, although it’s quite dark..

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