Showtime is busy gearing up for its new and returning shows, and it has hit the TV jackpot. The brilliant drama Shameless has secured Lone Star's James Wolk for its second season, while the new Kristen Bell comedy House of Lies has added two more stars to its cast.

Wolk became an instant cult icon as the star of FOX's very short-lived Texas con man drama Lone Star, and a small but rabid group of fans eagerly awaited his next role. After a failed pilot, Shameless has no added him for multiple episodes in season 2 as Adam, an investment executive who gets involved with Fiona (Emmy Rossum), the big sister of an extended family of latchkey kids. At the end of season 1, Fiona's boyfriend Steve took off for Central America after she stood him up at the airport. Wolk certainly makes for a very easy-on-the-eyes potential rebound.

He's not the only star joining Shameless, Zach McGowan, who has a number of small TV and movie roles, will play Jody, a hot guy who befriends Karen, Lip's on-again, off-again girlfriend. That makes two potential new love triangles when the show returns in the winter.

Meanwhile, Showtime is also gearing up for the new comedy House of Lies starring Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell.  Bell's character on the show about management consultants will get plenty of love from Melrose Place's Michael Rady as Wes, a conservative rich kid who clashes with Bell's Jeannie.

In addition, Carnivale star Nick Stahl will guest star in an episode as a musician named Kurt who opens Jeannie's eyes.

With these casts, Showtime is certainly working hard to become the best cable network TV, and with its impressive slate of shows, it could get there.

Source: TVLine

(Image courtesy of FOX)