Summary

• Jeremy Allen White originally auditioned for the role of Ian on Shameless, but was ultimately cast as Lip. He itted to feeling disappointed about not getting to play Ian.
• White's portrayal of Lip became an integral part of the show, with his character being a fan-favorite. He brought a unique balance of levity and emotional depth to the role.
• White's success on Shameless helped him secure the lead role in the popular Hulu show, The Bear. His performance in The Bear has received critical acclaim and nominations, showcasing his growth as an actor.

Jeremy Allen White discusses his original audition for the role of Ian on Shameless. White starred on Shameless, an adaptation of the UK dramedy of the same name, as the eldest Gallagher brother Lip for all 11 seasons of the show's run. In Shameless, the actor starred alongside Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy, and Cameron Monaghan, all of whom earned accolades for their respective roles as of the dysfunctional Gallagher family.

As the second-oldest Gallagher kid in Shameless, Lip took on his share of responsibilities in bringing up the rest of the Gallagher clan while still a child himself, leading to plenty of heavy moments for the character that allowed White to flex his talents. During a recent conversation with Variety, White recalled that his initial audition for Shameless was actually for the role of a different Gallagher, Ian, which ultimately went to Monaghan. While White expresses appreciation for his turn as Lip, the actor states that he "really wanted to play Ian," and was "disappointed" when he lost the role to Monaghan.

I wouldn’t say there’s [a role] that got away. When I was auditioning for Shameless, I was auditioning for both Lip and Ian throughout the auditioning process. I really wanted to play Ian. And then I was told, "No, you’re going to play Lip." So, I guess that’s the best way to get bad news is like, "No, you’re not going to do this one, but you can do this one." And then, obviously, I came to really love playing Lip and getting to do it for so long. But yeah, I really chased Ian, and I being disappointed when they said, "Actually, it’s this guy."

Lip Was The Best Role For White

While White's talents would have adapted well to either brother, the actor brought an unmatched heart to Lip that became the pulse of the show after Fiona's (Rossum) exit in season 9. The character had plenty of ups and downs over the course of the show, but he was always an integral part of the main cast, staying on even after Rossum was gone and Monaghan's Ian was written out after being sent to prison in season 9. Through White's unique ability to balance Lip's sometimes careless levity with a raw emotional core, he created a memorable and essential part of the show and a fan-favorite for many.

After the conclusion of Shameless in 2021, White became the star of popular Hulu show, The Bear, which premiered in 2022.

White has earned critical acclaim for his performance in The Bear, garnering praise for his intensity and emotional depth as Carmy in the show, both traits he first displayed in Shameless. While the actor was not nominated for any Emmys during his time on Shameless, he was nominated this year for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the restaurant-set dramedy.

White's experience as Lip in "Shameless" greatly enhanced his portrayal of Carmy, a benefit that might not have occurred had he played Ian instead.

White's character in The Bear shares several similarities with his Shameless character Lip, from their hometown of Chicago to their complicated and dysfunctional family dynamics and struggles with mental health. While Carmy and Lip are ultimately different people, it's clear that White's decade as Lip on Shameless served him well in his new role, something that might have been lost if the actor had ended up portraying Ian. With season 3 of The Bear confirmed, fans of White can look forward to seeing more of the actor on Hulu when the next season premieres.

Shameless star William H. Macy earned several Emmy nominations for his role as the Gallagher patriarch, Frank.

Source: Variety