What Happened to Jimmy in Shameless, Did He Die?

Jimmy Lishman initially left Shameless at the end of season 3. His character was seen boarding a yacht with Nando and is presumed to have been killed, but there was no actual scene that shows whether Nando killed him. He would return in season five and finally leave the series at the end of the season. Consequently, Jimmy did not die in Shameless; his character was written off and left open-ended, as the producers had hoped to bring him back in the future.

The plan to bring Jimmy back never fell through because the actor who played the role, Justin Chatwin, decided it was time to move on to other things. Moreover, the actress who played his love interest, Fiona, left the series after season nine, making it impossible for Jimmy to come back.

What Happened to Jimmy from Shameless?

Jimmy’s fate has been an ambiguous roller coaster starting from the end of Season 3 of Shameless when he was supposedly killed by a Brazilian drug lord who was also the father of his “wife,” Estefania. However, fans of the show speculated that he may have faked his own death.

He remains away all through season four, making fans believe that he had truly died. However, he returned in Season 5 under the alias “Steve”. It is revealed that he has been working as a private investigator and was hired to track down Fiona’s long-lost mother. Jimmy and Fiona rekindle their romance, but it is clear that Jimmy has not changed much. He is still reckless, impulsive, and involved in illegal activities.

He eventually gets involved in a dangerous scheme to rob a bank and is forced to go on the run. Jimmy’s fate is again left ambiguous at the end of Season 5. He is seen driving away in a car with an unknown woman. It is unclear whether he is going to start a new life or whether he is going to continue with his criminal activities. However, Jimmy has not appeared in the show since Season 5.

Some fans believe that Jimmy is still alive and that he will eventually reunite with Fiona. Others believe that Jimmy is dead and that his appearances in Season Five were simply visions or hallucinations that Fiona was having. Only time will tell what happened to Jimmy Lishman.

Did Jimmy Die in Shameless?

No, Jimmy Lishman, also known as Steve Wilton, did not die in Shameless, even though his fate has been somewhat ambiguous. He was presumed dead at the end of Season 3, as he was seen sailing away from Chicago in the drug Lord’s boat.

Image Source

While this in itself is not a death scene, there are several reasons why fans of the show presumed Jimmy dead. First, he was taken against his will by the drug lord because his daughter Estefania, whom Jimmy married so she could come to America, is being deported since their union did not impress the INS. Moreover, the drug Lord refused when he asked to make a final phone call.

Finally, one major reason why many believed the drug Lord killed Jimmy was that he had proven he had no issue killing anyone who wronged him or his daughter, as was the case with Marco, whom he had killed and had Jimmy chop up the body. Since he had taken Jimmy against his will, it was assumed the intention was to kill him.

However, he later made a surprise return in later seasons, revealing that he had faked his death to escape his criminal connections. The show’s creators spoke about Jimmy’s fate and why they left it open-ended after each disappearance. They said this was done so they could bring him back in the future.

When Does Jimmy Leave Shameless?

Jimmy first left Shameless at the end of Season three. He returned in season five and left again at the end of the season. He was seen driving away in a car with an unknown woman after Fiona told him they could not be together anymore. It is unclear whether he started a new life or continued his criminal activities.

Jimmy in Shameless
Image Source

His departure from the show was because the actor who played Jimmy, Justin Chatwin, wanted to leave the show to pursue other projects. Chatwin would later disclose in an interview with THR that he did not expect to return to the series after his presumed death in season three. However, the showrunners brought him back because fans of the show wanted his love interest to have an emotional closure.

His final departure after season five happened because the creators felt that Jimmy’s character arc had come to a natural end. His departure helped to create a new chapter in Fiona’s life, showing how capable she is of growth and progression in her marriage to Gus.

While Jimmy’s departure was bittersweet for many fans, it was ultimately the right decision for the show. Jimmy’s character had become increasingly toxic and self-destructive, and it was time for him to move on. It also allowed the show to focus on other characters and storylines.

Even though Jimmy’s departure was left open-ended again, the possibility of his return is very slim. It would not make sense since Emmy Rossum, who played his love interest, left the series after season nine.

Why did Jimmy Leave Shameless?

Chatwin, who played Jimmy, has never explicitly stated why he left Shameless. He did mention that he did not expect to return to the show, but he did not specify whether he chose to leave or whether his character was written off on purpose.

Fans of the series speculated that he wanted to pursue other projects. Others believed that Chatwin had been on Shameless for five seasons, and he may have felt that it was time to move on to other challenges. The tumultuous nature of his relationship with Fiona also suggested that Chatwin was unhappy with the direction his character was taking because Jimmy Lishman became a more and more toxic and self-destructive character over time. Chatwin may have been uncomfortable playing him.

Rumors also have it that he had creative differences with the show’s creators about how his character should develop, and he may have disagreed with the show’s creators about the direction his character was taking. Ultimately, Chatwin was ready to move on to something new.

Does Jimmy Come Back in Shameless?

No, Jimmy does not return to Shameless after season 5. His fate is left open-ended at the end of season 5, but it is implied that he may have started a new life with the unknown woman he was seen driving away with. This was after he said goodbye to Fiona, who had made it clear they could never be together again.

The show’s creators have said that they are open to bringing Jimmy back in the future, but he has not appeared in the show since season 5. Remember that his constant return has always been to win back Fiona, which he often went to great lengths to do. However, since the actress who played Fiona has left the series and the character has been written off, it makes the possibility of his return even slimmer.

Another opportunity that would have served as a way to work him back into the storyline was when Fiona suggested that the baby she planned to abort might be Jimmy’s. We never did find out who the father of the child was because she proceeded with the abortion. It is safe to say that Jimmy is not coming back to Shameless.

Jimmy in Shameless
Image Source

When does Jimmy Come Back in Shameless?

Jimmy came back to Shameless in Season 4 Episode 12, named Lazarus; however, he did not make a return to Shameless beyond Season Five. Although his destiny remains uncertain, there are suggestions that he might have embarked on a fresh journey alongside an unfamiliar woman he was witnessed departing with at the close of that season.

While the show’s creators have expressed their willingness to reintroduce Jimmy at a later date, he has not made any appearances in the series since Season 5.

Does Jimmy Come Back in Shameless Season 7?

No, Jimmy does not come back in Shameless Season 7. It is implied that he may have started a new life elsewhere after realizing he no longer has a shot with Fiona, who is married. However, his name does come up a few times, especially after the washer he bought for Fiona breaks down, and she compares its breakdown to his flaky nature, saying she should not have expected it to stick around for long.

Who Played Jimmy in Shameless?

Canadian actor Justin Chatwin played Jimmy Lishman in Shameless. He joined the Shameless cast in the show’s second season and quickly became a fan favorite.

Chatwin’s performance as Jimmy Lishman was praised by critics for its nuance and complexity. He was able to capture the character’s charm, intelligence, and vulnerability, as well as his dark side.

Chatwin’s performance on Shameless was one of the reasons why Jimmy Lishman became such a popular character. He was a complex and flawed individual but also relatable and likable. Fans were rooting for him to succeed, even though they knew he was likelier to make bad choices.

Chatwin is known for his roles in films such as War of the Worlds (2005), In the Valley of Elah (2007), and The Invisible (2007), as well as television series such as Weeds, Orphan Black, and American Gothic.

Recommended

Featured Today

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness, if you've found a possible error, be it factual, editorial or something that needs updating, please contact us

Read This Next