The Reason Behind Emmy Rossum's Departure from Shameless Following Season 9

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Fiona Gallagher, played by Emmy Rossum, left the series Shameless after season 9 in order to pursue new opportunities and further her acting career.

Fiona leaving the show was a surprise and created an empty space, but it was logical for her character to move forward considering all she had already done for her troubled family.

Emmy Rossum's exit was a result of conflicting schedules and her eagerness to explore new ventures, yet she will forever maintain a unique bond with Fiona and her experience on Shameless.

Shameless, a popular comedy series on Showtime, aired for 11 seasons and featured Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher, who played the role until season 9. However, Fiona's departure from the show raised questions about why she left and how it would impact the final seasons. From the start of the series, Fiona was depicted as the responsible caretaker of her siblings and alcoholic father, Frank (played by William H. Macy), making her a central character and pillar of the Gallagher family. Although it was initially uncertain how the show would fare without Rossum, there were valid reasons for this significant change.

Emmy Rossum's decision to leave the beloved series came as a surprise to many fans, but everyone has their own reasons, and nothing can last forever. Other cast members, most notably Cameron Monaghan's Ian Gallagher, also left the show in season 9 but later returned. Regardless, Rossum's absence was deeply felt, and it is remarkable that the series managed to conclude with two more seasons without her. So, when exactly does Fiona leave Shameless, and what led Emmy Rossum to depart in the first place? Ultimately, Fiona departed so that Rossum could pursue new opportunities in her career.

Why Fiona Left The Gallagher's Behind

At the conclusion of Shameless season 9, Fiona made the decision to depart from the show, believing she had fulfilled her familial responsibilities. This departure felt incongruous in many respects, given Fiona's significant role throughout the series. Despite her ability to secure $100,000 from an investment buyout, of which she contributed half towards her family's ongoing care, it remained apparent that the dysfunctional Gallagher family, even in adulthood, still relied on their older sister. Despite attempts to rationalize Fiona's abrupt absence after nine seasons of Shameless, it remained a striking absence.

Still, some fans did feel that Fiona had exhausted her storyline throughout her time on Shameless. Despite the fact that the majority of the Gallagher siblings were independent adults capable of taking care of themselves and each other by the time Emmy Rossum departed from the show, Fiona's business acumen, demonstrated through successfully managing her own apartment building and making lucrative property sales, indicated her potential to move on to even greater accomplishments. The question of whether Fiona would ultimately choose to leave her family had always been a source of tension. While Shameless season 1 concluded with Fiona considering leaving for Brazil with Jimmy (Justin Chatwin) as he fled the country, she ultimately made the decision that being with her family held greater importance.

Emmy Rossum Wanted To Move On From Shameless

Emmy Rossum's departure from the show Shameless after season 9 can be attributed to a combination of her busy schedule and her desire to explore other acting opportunities. In the season 9 finale episode titled "Found," which aired in 2019, Rossum made her last appearance on the show. It was during this same year that she took on the role of both a star and executive producer for the Peacock miniseries called Angelyne. Balancing the responsibilities of this new series alongside Shameless likely resulted in scheduling conflicts. After dedicating nine seasons to Shameless, it is completely understandable for Rossum to crave new challenges and opportunities that would allow her to further develop her acting skills.

Rossum took to her social media accounts to share her departure from the series. She expressed her deep affection for the character Fiona, whom she considered a precious gift. While Rossum had cherished playing Fiona since the beginning, she believed that it was time for her to explore other opportunities.

Playing Fiona has truly been a remarkable experience. The character is exceptionally complex and dynamic, transcending traditional gender roles. Fiona is like a fierce mother lion, imperfect yet unyielding, sexually liberated and fearless. Despite her vulnerabilities and the harsh economic conditions she faces, she adamantly refuses to succumb to depression. Fiona is undeniably resourceful, loyal, and brave. From the moment I first read the pilot script, I knew there was something truly special and unique about this character.

When discussing her departure from the series with Entertainment Weekly, Rossum acknowledged that she wouldn't truly be leaving the character behind. She expressed pride in her work but emphasized that it was time for her to move on.

I will never bid farewell to Fiona. Fiona is a part of me, much like every character becomes a part of you and you a part of them. My Shameless family is like a second family to me, and we have spent countless hours together – 10,000 hours, to be exact. It truly feels like we have all grown up together. I joined the show at 23, and now I have grown. [Laughs.] This journey has been extraordinary, and I am filled with immense gratitude for everyone's dedication.

Even with those reasons for Fiona's departure from Shameless in mind, wouldn't it be desirable for her to make a comeback in the series finale of Shameless season 11? That was initially the plan for the show, but unfortunately, filming for the final season took place in 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the entire cast and crew had to undergo a mandatory quarantine period before they could resume work on set. On account of scheduling conflicts and time constraints, it simply wasn't practical for both the production and Rossum's schedule, leading to Fiona's unavailability for the Shameless finale.

Fiona Was Given A Fitting Sendoff

Fiona bid farewell to the series in season 9, receiving a commendable sendoff. Throughout her final season on Shameless, Fiona faced numerous hardships that pushed her to the brink of despair. Fans anticipated that she would follow in her father's footsteps and succumb to a similar fate. However, despite finding herself entangled in legal troubles and reaching her breaking point, Fiona's wise decision proved to be rewarding.

Prior to her departure, Fiona had wisely invested in a property. When she ultimately sold it, she obtained a substantial sum of money that not only aided her in starting anew but also assisted her family. By generously sharing half of her earnings with her loved ones, the writers effectively portrayed Fiona's deep care and concern for them. She prioritized supporting her siblings, recognizing that they were now capable of seeing the true nature of their father, Frank, and no longer required her as a surrogate.

Fiona's departure from Shameless has been regarded as one of the most impactful character exits in contemporary television. Despite surprising the audience, her decision to start a new life aligns seamlessly with her history of selflessly tending to the needs of those around her.

What Emmy Rossum Has Done Since Shameless

After leaving Shameless in its ninth series, Emmy Rossum's departure as Fiona Gallagher marked the end of her character's run on the show. However, viewers didn't have to wait long to see more of Rossum. Immediately following her exit from Shameless, she took on the lead role in the mentioned Angelyne, serving as both a star and producer. As of now, fans are eagerly awaiting news on whether Peacock will give the green light for a second season of the mini-series. Angelyne garnered positive reviews from both critics and audiences and even received multiple Emmy nominations.

Fiona Left The UK Shameless Early Too

Rossum also appeared in The Crowded Room on Apple TV+ alongside Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried. This gripping series is based on the 1981 nonfiction thriller The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes. In the show, Rossum portrays Candy Sullivan, who is Holland's character's mother, and finds herself in a toxic relationship that eventually leads her to testify against her own son in court.

The UK version of Shameless, which shares the same title and general concept, also had a Fiona Gallagher character who departed early. Portrayed by Irish actress Anne-Marie Duff, Fiona exited the British television series in the second season, just over a year after it first aired. As a result, it can be assumed that her portrayal of Fiona did not have sufficient time to establish the same level of prominence as Emmy Rossum's interpretation.

Duff, like her counterpart, desired to delve deeper into her film career. Following her departure from Shameless, she embarked on the production of the TV movie Born Equal in 2006. Interestingly, Scottish actor James McAvoy (known for his role in IT: Chapter 2) made his debut on the same series and eventually married Duff both on and off-screen. Despite leaving Shameless early on, the original Fiona has achieved remarkable success in theater and television.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about Emmy Rossum's departure from Shameless. On the one hand, I understand her desire to pursue new opportunities and further her acting career. After all, she had been on the show for nine seasons, and it was time for her to move on. On the other hand, I was sad to see her go. Fiona Gallagher was a complex and well-developed character, and I enjoyed watching her grow and evolve over the years.

I think Rossum's departure had a significant impact on the show. Fiona was a central character, and her absence was felt in the final two seasons. The show did a good job of wrapping up her storyline, but I still miss her presence.

Overall, I think Rossum's departure was a bittersweet moment for Shameless. It was sad to see her go, but I understand her reasons for leaving. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.