Steve’s Fate on “Shameless” and Justin Chatwin’s Post-Show Career

Showtime’s Shameless is known for its morally ambiguous characters, and among the shadiest is Steve Wilton, also known as Jimmy Lishman, and Jack, played by Justin Chatwin. Over his 40-episode arc, Steve‘s character undergoes significant twists and turns.

Steve is introduced in the pilot episode of “Shameless,” where he attempts to retrieve Fiona‘s (Emmy Rossum) stolen purse in a nightclub. Although he fails, his effort impresses Fiona, and they quickly dive into a relationship. Steve is a habitual liar and criminal, constantly deceiving Fiona and her family. Throughout the series, Fiona‘s friends and family often warn her about Steve‘s deceitful nature, yet he manages to regain her trust at various points.

At the end of Season 3, Steve is presumed dead but surprisingly returns in the Season 4 finale, “Lazarus.” This comeback leads to Fiona cheating on her husband, Gus (Steve Kazee), with her old flame. Jimmy appears in three episodes of Season 5, but Fiona eventually ends their tumultuous relationship for good.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Chatwin explained that he saw finality in his character’s Season 5 arc and believed Fiona had moved past Steve/Jimmy‘s charms and manipulations. He noted that their relationship had evolved significantly from what it once was.

Justin Chatwin’s Career Post-Shameless

After leaving Shameless, Justin Chatwin continued to have a busy acting career. In 2016, he starred as Cam Hawthorne on the CBS mystery series American Gothic, which was canceled after one season due to low viewership. That same year, he made a guest appearance on Doctor Who. In 2017, Chatwin appeared in Dax Shepard‘s “CHiPs” movie.

From 2019 to 2021, Chatwin starred as Dr. Erik Wallace on the Netflix sci-fi drama Another Life. Despite the show receiving poor reviews from critics, Chatwin and co-star Katee Sackhoff were praised for their performances.

Looking ahead, Chatwin is set to appear in the upcoming biopic “Reagan,” playing Jack Reagan, the father of President Ronald Reagan, portrayed by Dennis Quaid.