‘Shameless’ Season 7 Star Ruby Modine Teases Lip’s Future With Sierra, ‘Love And Chaos’ Before Finale

The dysfunctional couples of “Shameless” play at the heartstrings of Showtime’s viewers each week and this season’s love affair between pseudo Gallagher patriarch Lip and newcomer Sierra is no exception.

Ruby Modine busted onto the Showtime drama in Season 7, starring off as Fionna’s (Emmy Rossum) right-hand-woman at Patsy’s Pies before quickly becoming a staple in Lip’s (Jeremy Allen White) love life. What began as a hookup with the Southside family’s genius turned into a blossoming and quickly torrid relationship.

As the drama’s finale quickly approaches, Modine spoke to International Business Times about her character’s on-screen romance, what’s to come in the final episodes and how she really feels about her co-stars.

Getting the Part

An audition with casting director John Levey and a chemistry test with White resulted in Modine getting the part of the struggling single mother. “It was smooth sailing after that,” Modine joked to IBT. What really followed was a lengthy process of understanding Sierra, who has a drug addicted ex, with whom she shares a child, and a disabled brother.

“I have family members that are disabled. I have had a lot of friends that have had drug issues. You look back at the history that you’ve had in your past,” Modine revealed of her preparation for “Shameless.”

“I like to read old journal entries or read interview of people that are going through similar situations. It just takes a lot of study and a lot of practice and just looking at the breakdown of what Sierra is, each one of those each little points, diving into each one of those very slowly and carefully and make sure that I feel comfortable and confident about each one of those points.”

While Modine took on her role in the hit drama carefully (she admits to being a big fan prior to filming), part of her own philosophy did find its way into Sierra. Known for posting inspirational quotes on social media, Modine, like Sierra, tries to see the best life has to offer.

“Everybody goes through dark moments and I like the fact that she comes out of it with a smile, she’s trying to be strong as possible. I very much so relate to her on that level. I think it’s important to look at the, so to speak, the bright side to everything because as dark as something can get, you can always work your way out of it.”

Lip’s New Love

Sierra’s positivity has faltered in recent episodes following Lip’s physical brawl with her son’s father, but Modine hints it may not be the end for the “Shameless” pair. “When you’re in a relationship you go through ups and downs and if it’s something that means something to you and you think that its worth fighting for, then you do it. If its not, then you give up on it,” Modine reasoned. As for if Sierra could be “the one” for the eldest Gallagher boy, Modine has high hopes.

“I think that there’s possibility for that because they seem to be working on each other. They’re each have their own struggles but they’re working through it. I think they’re a positive support system for each other,” she dished. “You never know, it’s ‘Shameless!’”

The Heart of “Shameless”

While her character’s romance remains up in the air, Modine had only favorable comments for her on-screen love interest. “Jermey is one of the kindest people I've ever met, very supportive, very funny and has impeccable taste with music,” she gushed. As with White, Modine says she’s been thoroughly impressed with the rest of the extensive “Shameless” cast.

“The entirety of the cast, in one way or another, came to me and said, ‘If you need anything, let me know.’ Each of them is so unique and offers such brilliant advice so I’m a very, very lucky person.”

And it’s not just the cast that have welcomed Modine with open arms, the 26-year-old said she’s noticed Sierra also received a warm welcome from viewers. When Modine isn’t on set (she’s currently filming the horror film “Half to Death” in New Orleans), she’s chatting up “Shameless” plot points with viewers on Twitter, all of whom she says have expressed their support.

“Coming on as Lip’s new love interest you see that the fanbase has a very deep seated love for [his ex] Mandy. She was completely incredible! It was nerve-wracking but for the most part I can honestly say that the fanbase has been very supportive.”

With “Shameless” winding down for the year, Modine wouldn’t reveal what’s in store for Sierra and the rest of the cast of characters in the final four episodes, only that viewers won’t be disappointed. “Love and chaos,” she described as for what’s to come.

“Shameless” airs Sundays on Showtime.