Shameless (2011)
Shameless is a 2011 drama series created by Paul Abbott and John Wells. It stars William H. Macy, Jeremy Allen White and Ethan Cutkosky.
The Gallaghers do not do apologies. Frank, the patriarch, spends the family's money at the bar and passes out on the floor, so his six kids end up raising themselves and each other in a run-down house on Chicago's South Side. Fiona covers the bills, Lip is too smart for his circumstances, and everyone hustles. Developed by John Wells from Paul Abbott's British series, this comedy-drama runs on foul-mouthed chaos, sudden tenderness and the hard math of getting by broke. William H. Macy plays Frank as a wreck you somehow keep rooting against and for at the same time.
Quick answers
What is Shameless about?
The Gallaghers do not do apologies. Frank, the patriarch, spends the family's money at the bar and passes out on the floor, so his six kids end up raising themselves and each other in a run-down house on Chicago's South Side. Fiona covers the bills, Lip is too smart for his circumstances, and everyone hustles. Developed by John Wells from Paul Abbott's British series, this comedy-drama runs on foul-mouthed chaos, sudden tenderness and the hard math of getting by broke. William H. Macy plays Frank as a wreck you somehow keep rooting against and for at the same time.
When was Shameless released?
Shameless was released on 9 January 2011.
How many episodes does Shameless have?
Shameless has 134 episodes across 11 seasons.
Who made Shameless?
Shameless was created by Paul Abbott, John Wells and Nancy M. Pimental.
Where can I watch Shameless?
Shameless is available on Netflix, Amazon, AppleTV and Fandango at Home.
Where to watch Shameless
Stream: Netflix
Buy: Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango at Home
Official site
Cast
- William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher
- Jeremy Allen White as Lip Gallagher
- Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher
- Shanola Hampton as Veronica Fisher
- Steve Howey as Kevin Ball
- Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher
- Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher
- Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher
- Michael Patrick McGill as Tommy
- Noel Fisher as Mickey Milkovich
- Jim Hoffmaster as Kermit
- Christian Isaiah as Liam Gallagher
Similar series
Explore Shameless guides
A few thoughts on Shameless
Readers drawn to the Gallaghers raising themselves should try The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton's novel of working-class kids who become each other's real family. Jeannette Walls's memoir The Glass Castle covers the same ground of love, neglect and a charming wreck of a father. For the same anarchic underclass energy with a British accent, the film Trainspotting is the closest cousin.
Found families who show love by roasting each other
Shameless never says I love you, it just keeps hurling insults across the kitchen table. The Gallaghers show affection through mockery, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Shoresy, Titus and Horace and Pete run on the same foul-mouthed camaraderie, groups of misfits who would rather roast each other than admit they care.
Poor households where the kids end up parenting themselves
Frank Gallagher spends whatever money exists at the bar, so Fiona and her siblings end up raising themselves and each other. The Outsiders, The Glass Castle, Flowers in the Attic, Good Times and My Sister's Keeper all put a broke or overwhelmed household at the center and let the children carry weight no kid should have to carry.
Rich or criminal families whose love language is secrets and betrayal
Every Gallagher hides something from the others, and Shameless treats that as ordinary family business. Succession, Animal Kingdom, Bloodline, The Riches, United States of Tara and The Godfather all build their families around a secret that could blow the whole household apart, whether the currency is money, crime or just who everyone really is.
Dark comedies about ordinary lives quietly falling apart
Shameless finds its jokes in eviction notices and empty fridges, comedy that never looks away from how broke everyone actually is. Weeds, Trainspotting, Bad Sisters, Casual and Togetherness all mine dark comedy from people whose normal life is already cracking, whether the trigger is drugs, debt or a marriage nobody wants to admit is over.