Since Shameless wrapped in 2021 after an epic 11-season run, fans have been left searching for a TV show that captures the same chaotic family dynamics, morally gray characters, and no-holds-barred storytelling. With the Gallagher family gone, the gritty blend of crime, dysfunction, and surprisingly heartfelt moments has proven tough to replace. While plenty of shows have attempted to fill the gap, few strike the same balance between emotional depth and darkly comic chaos that made Shameless a pop culture phenomenon.
However, there is one show that hits all the right notes – and it’s already found new life thanks to Netflix. With a tight five-season run, fast pacing, and a focus on crime, loyalty, and a deeply dysfunctional family, it offers the perfect substitute for viewers who miss the twisted, addictive energy of the Gallaghers. Best of all, it even features some familiar faces from Shameless’ iconic cast. That show is Animal Kingdom, and if you miss Shameless, it’s exactly what you should be watching next.
Animal Kingdom Is A Great Shameless Replacement & It’s Now Streaming On Netflix
Animal Kingdom Explores Crime, Family, And Loyalty In Ways That Feel Deeply Familiar To Shameless Fans
At its core, Animal Kingdom is a TV show like Shameless because it thrives on the same themes of family dysfunction, morally dubious decisions, and people doing whatever it takes to survive. Just like Shameless, Animal Kingdom centers on a tight-knit, chaotic family whose daily lives revolve around crime and survival. However, while the Gallaghers hustle on the South Side of Chicago, the Cody family in Animal Kingdom rule their criminal empire in sun-soaked Southern California.
What makes Animal Kingdom such a strong Shameless successor is how it blends brutal family conflict with personal loyalty and love.
Originally airing on TNT from 2016 to 2022, Animal Kingdom ran for six gripping seasons. It’s based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name and follows teenager Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), who is forced to move in with his estranged relatives after the death of his mother. The Cody family – headed by matriarch Janine “Smurf” Cody (Ellen Barkin) – is anything but normal. They’re bank robbers, con artists, and thieves, but they operate like a corporation, complete with job planning, negotiations, and high-stakes rivalries. The result is a stylized, character-driven crime drama with plenty of emotional weight.
What makes Animal Kingdom such a strong Shameless successor is how it blends brutal family conflict with personal loyalty and love. Characters like Pope (Shawn Hatosy), Deran (Jake Weary), and Craig (Ben Robson) all bring different energy to the table, much like Lip, Ian, and Carl in Shameless. Their rivalries, emotional wounds, and reckless behavior make them impossible to root for fully, but equally impossible to turn away from. Smurf, much like Frank Gallagher, is a manipulative and captivating presence who constantly throws her children into turmoil while keeping their loyalty intact through sheer force of personality.
Since dropping on Netflix, Animal Kingdom has found a massive second life. Just like Breaking Bad and Shameless before it, the series has picked up new fans who missed it during its original run. Its slick visuals, unpredictable twists, and addictive pacing make it a binge-worthy option for anyone looking for a TV show like Shameless. It doesn’t copy Shameless, but it scratches the same itch – dysfunctional family crime saga meets personal drama, all set against an unforgettable backdrop.
Animal Kingdom Features Several Members Of The Shameless Cast Throughout Its Run
Shameless Fans Will Spot Plenty Of Familiar Faces In Animal Kingdom’s Wild World
One of the biggest reasons Shameless worked so well was its ensemble cast. The chemistry between the actors, and the way they brought such nuance to their flawed characters, helped ground the show even during its wildest storylines. Luckily for fans missing that same energy, Animal Kingdom features several Shameless alumni across its six seasons, making it not only a thematic match, but a literal one too.
Cameron Monaghan, best known for his breakout role as Ian Gallagher, appears in Animal Kingdom season 3, playing a supporting character in a high-stakes heist arc. His intense screen presence and signature quiet charisma make him a natural fit in the Cody family’s gritty world. Emma Kenney, who portrayed Debbie Gallagher, pops up in a flashback storyline in season 4, offering a new side to her acting range with a darker, more layered role.
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Ethan Cutkosky, aka Carl Gallagher, also makes an appearance in season 5, slipping seamlessly into Animal Kingdom’s younger generation of criminals. Justin Chatwin, who played Steve/Jimmy during the early seasons of Shameless, takes on a very different persona in Animal Kingdom, showing off a more hardened and unpredictable edge. Perhaps most notably, Noel Fisher (Mickey Milkovich) turns up in one of the most intense multi-episode arcs, playing a rival gang member whose actions spark a violent feud with the Codys.
It’s not just fun fan service – each Shameless actor in Animal Kingdom brings something familiar yet fresh to their roles, reinforcing why Animal Kingdom is such a strong TV show like Shameless. These appearances are more than cameos; they’re gritty, believable performances that remind viewers of just how talented the Shameless cast really is. It’s also satisfying to see them stretch their wings in new but thematically similar territory, keeping that raw, emotional storytelling alive.
So, for fans still rewatching the Gallagher family saga or wondering where to turn next, Animal Kingdom delivers – not only because of its compelling story and pitch-perfect tone, but because it features the same faces who made Shameless unforgettable.
