Season 11 of the raunchy-but-loveable television show Shameless has finally begun production on its final season after Covid-19 delays, meaning it's time for fans to gear up to say goodbye to their favorite television family.
Showtime introduced the Gallaghers, a dysfunctional family based in Southside Chicago, to American television in 2011. Based on an award-winning British series with the same name, it immediately gained a strong following. Here’s why after nine years of quality entertainment and unspeakable shenanigans, Shameless still stands as one of Showtime’s most popular and successful series.
Shameless Is About Family
The Gallaghers never fail to show up for one another, regardless of their many grievances and disagreements. The show is led by the family’s patriarch Frank Gallagher: an alcoholic who often wreaks havoc on his family and community. He has a strong role in the family's shortcomings as the six siblings struggle to bounce back from poverty, substance abuse, and their not-so-good parents. Shameless manages to emphasize the importance of family and support systems without portraying any of their characters as perfect; they are always ready to deliver some tough love to one another.
In the first nine seasons of Shameless, Emmy Rossum played the eldest Gallagher sibling, Fiona Gallagher. She quickly became a fan-favorite as Fiona is the epitome of a strong independent woman. She is vulgar and unapologetic as she takes risks and makes sacrifices to support her own goals and to protect her family. One of her most heartbreaking and character-defining moments came in season three when Fiona had to fight for the custody of her siblings after they were separated by Child Protective Services.
The Opener
Typically, television shows open with a helpful “here’s what you missed last week” message. What makes Shameless unique is that they open by breaking the fourth wall. They feature a prominent character looking into the camera to roast the viewer for needing a reminder of last week’s episode. It’s hilarious and aggressive, appropriately setting the tone for the show.
Shameless Has An Impressive Cast
As previously mentioned, William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum play integral parts in the series. Additionally, actors Joan Cusack and Dermot Mulroney were recurring characters in the earlier seasons of the show.
Although they were young and less experienced when the show began, a majority of the Gallagher kids have now gone on to make a name for themselves in Hollywood. Cameron Monaghan who plays Ian Gallagher is popular for his role as the Joker in the Fox series Gotham, and Emma Kenney, who plays the fourth eldest Gallagher, played the Healy daughter in the Roseanne reboot.
Other featured actors include the Rachel Dratch who played Ian and Mickey’s parole officer, Disney’s Dove Cameron who popped in as one of Debbie’s schoolmates, and Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson as the brother of Gallagher's neighbor and friend. It’s unlikely to get through an episode without seeing a familiar face.
Everyone Loves Gallavich
Shameless celebrates love; both familial and romantic. The show features fan faved couples such as the Gallavich pairing who consists of Ian Gallagher and Mickey Milkovich.
Ian and Mickey are high-school sweethearts who are endlessly challenged by the Southside community’s homophobia and their own reputations: Mickey for being the resident bad boy and Ian for struggling with bipolar disorder. Their relationship is a rollercoaster as it started with Mickey trying to kill Ian for allegedly assaulting his sister (it never happened) and then, after entering a secret relationship, Mickey's homophobic father finding out and violently forces them to separate.
The two men bring out the best in each other and after ten seasons of breaking up and getting back together, they got married in the season 10 finale appropriately titled: “Gallavich!”-- Mickey unexpectedly proving himself to be a total groomzilla.
The show presents unspeakable scenarios that get more and more outlandish as the show clocks on; just wait for the Gay Jesus storyline. And yet despite that, it remains grounded in all the ways families relate to each other, both good and bad. Every viewer can see a little bit of themselves in the members of the Gallagher clan, which is what makes Shameless timeless.
Shameless seasons 1-10 are available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Deadline