Shameless

The comedy drama Shameless is an adaptation of the British series of the same name. Set on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, the show follows a poverty-stricken, dysfunctional family trying to make ends meet.

With an absent mother and alcoholic father Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy), Fiona (Emmy Rossum) takes on the responsibility as the eldest to care for the rest of her family while dealing with her own addiction. The rest of the family includes Carl (Ethan Cutkosky), Debbie (Emma Kenney), Phillip “Lip” (Jeremy Allen White), Ian (Cameron Monaghan) and Liam (Christian Isaiah). Fiona’s best friend Veronica Fisher (Shanola Hampton) and her husband Kevin Ball (Steve Howey) are the Gallagher’s neighbors and often help out the family.

Shameless aired in 2011 with the 11th and final series airing in 2021. In 2016, season eight was briefly delayed due to a pay disparity involving Rossum who demanded to be paid the same as her costar, Macy. The dispute was settled and season eight continued, but Rossum left the show the following season with only positive words regarding her departure.