Guess Who Will Play Ian's Older Love Interest on "Shameless" Season 2

Harry Hamlin and Cameron Monaghan

Popconfidential is reporting that none other than Harry Hamlin has signed on to play what looks like a love interest for Ian (Cameron Monaghan) on the second season of the U.S. version of Shameless.

He'll be playing a character named Ned, described as a new 'friend' of Ian's.

Hamlin once complained, perhaps with some justification, that playing a gay role in Making Love all those years ago stymied his movie career. (And things were so promising after Clash of the Titans!) But times have certainly changed since 1982, and I guess he's comfortable playing gay again.

Actually, what is probably far more controversial about this part: his character on Shameless will be drastically older than young Ian.

According to PopConfidential, Hamlin has signed up for two episodes. Here's hoping his character isn't a complete predator. Better if he's more an older version of the upstanding Harry Hamlin we remember from LA Law. Less appealing would be a retread of his lecherous villain on Veronica Mars.

We'll just have to wait and see.

Season 2 of Shameless premieres January 8, 2012.