Shameless (British TV series)

*Shameless*
Shameless
Genre	Comedy-drama
Created by	Paul Abbott
Starring	Main article: List of Shameless characters
Theme music composer	Murray Gold
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	11
No. of episodes	139 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Paul Abbott; George Faber; Charles Pattinson; David Threlfall;
Production locations	Wythenshawe, Manchester,; England
Cinematography	Gavin Struthers (series 4–5); Andy McDonnell;
Running time	60–65 mins (inc. advertisements)
Production company	Company Pictures
Original release
Network	Channel 4
Release	13 January 2004 –; 28 May 2013
Related
	Shameless (U.S.) (2011–)

Shameless is a British adult comedy-drama series set in Manchester on the fictional Chatsworth council estate. Produced by Company Pictures for Channel 4, the series aired from 13 January 2004 to 28 May 2013. The comedy drama, centred on British working class culture, accorded critical acclaim by various sections of the British media, including The Sun newspaper and Newsnight Review on BBC Two. The programme was created and partially written by Paul Abbott, who is also the programme's executive producer. In 2005, the show won "Best Drama Series" at the BAFTA TV Awards and "Best TV Comedy Drama" at the British Comedy Awards.

Plot

Season 1 (2004)

The first series of Shameless ran from 19 January to 24 February 2004. It consisted of 7 episodes.

The first series chronicled the life of the Gallagher family and their neighbours. David Threlfall was cast as alcoholic father-of-six, Frank Gallagher. Anne-Marie Duff was cast as his eldest daughter and "head" of the family, Fiona. Jody Latham and Gerard Kearns played Gallagher brothers Lip and Ian. Twin brothers Elliott and Luke Tittensor both took on the role of youngster Carl Gallagher, whilst Rebecca Ryan was cast as Debbie Gallagher, and Liam was played by Joseph Furnace (series 1-2) and Johnny Bennett (series 3-8). Other characters included James McAvoy as Fiona's boyfriend Steve McBride. The Gallagher's next-door neighbours Kev and Veronica, were played by Dean Lennox Kelly and Maxine Peake. Maggie O'Neill played agoraphobic Sheila Jackson, a love interest of Frank. Appearing alongside her were Rebecca Atkinson as her 15 year old wayward daughter Karen and Steve Pemberton appeared in the first two episodes as Karen's god-fearing father Eddie. Two other characters were introduced, local shopkeepers Kash and Yvonne Karib, played by Chris Bisson and Kelli Hollis. The series also debuted future regular cast members, including Jack Deam, as Veronica's arsonist brother Marty Fisher, his mother Carol, played by Marjorie Yates. The local pub landlady Jez, played by Lindsey Dawson. Samantha Siddall appeared in one episode as Mandy Maguire, whilst Anthony Flanagan and Warren Donnelly appeared together as local coppers Tony and Stan.

The "main" storyline during the first series was the romance between Fiona and Steve. However, many other plots took centre stage throughout the series, in particular, the sexual affair between Frank Gallagher and Karen Jackson, who was dating Lip. The storyline ended with a violent showdown between father and son, and Karen absconding from Chatsworth. Other storylines included Ian Gallagher's homosexuality and his affair with shopkeeper Kash, Kev and Veronica's "fake" wedding, Sheila attempting to overcome her agoraphobia and Frank's strained relationship with most of his kids. The series concluded with a "two-part story", which featured the return of the Gallaghers' absent mother Monica, played by Annabelle Apsion, and Frank's growing debts. The series concludes with Frank faking his own death to evade bailiffs and his growing debts and the announcement that Sheila, who had overcome her agoraphobia, was pregnant by Frank.

Season 2 (2005)

The 10-part second series began on 4 January 2005 and concluded on 8 March 2005.

All cast members from the first series reprised their roles, and many recurring characters became regulars, such as Mandy Maguire, Carol Fisher and Marty Fisher. Mid-way through the series, James McAvoy left his role as Steve McBride. Notably, Tina Malone and Sean Gilder joined the cast as Mimi and Paddy Maguire, who would come to dominate the show in succeeding years. Alice Barry, who had appeared in the Christmas special, joined the cast as Lillian Tyler, whilst Chris Coghill joined the cast as Craig Garland, a new love interest for Fiona, and Gillian Kearney also became a cast members, playing Sue, Craig's estranged wife and a new love interest for Marty. Sally Carman also made her first appearance during this series as Kev's sister Kelly-Marie Ball. In the final episode of the series, Anne-Marie Duff departed the series as Fiona Gallagher, in a plot that saw James McAvoy reprise his role as Steve for the final time.

Season 3 (2006)

The third series began on 3 January 2006 and ended on 21 February 2006. The series was reduced to 8 episodes.

The third season was the first season to not feature Fiona or Steve who were both heavily featured in the previous seasons. This season saw Carl's character, who had a minor role in the first season, and a slightly larger role in the second, expanded. This season also saw the introduction of Nicky Evans as Shane Maguire, who only appeared in one episode, but would become an essential character in later seasons.

The season kicks off with a New Year's Day special where Debbie convinces everyone Liam has cancer to stop him getting expelled from school but things slowly get out of hand. Monica and Norma return for one episode this season.

Season 4 (2007)

The fourth series, again consisting of 8 episodes, ran between 9 January 2007 until 27 February 2007. It featured the biggest cast change in the show's 9-year run, with many characters from the first three series departing and many new characters introduced to replace them. Most notably, the series saw the introduction of the Maguire family as main characters rather than the antagonists that they were in the early series. From series 4, the Maguires would gradually become the focus of the show during its final years. Alongside Tina Malone (Mimi Maguire), Sean Gilder (Paddy Maguire) and Samantha Siddall (Mandy Maguire), new members of the Maguire family were introduced. Firstly, Ciaran Griffiths took on the role of the homosexual yet homophobic Mickey Maguire. Aaron McCusker joined the cast as murderer Jamie Maguire, the oldest Maguire child who had been in prison for 10 years, whilst Nicky Evans, who appeared in a guest role in series 3, returned on a regular basis as "runt of the litter" Shane Maguire. All the Gallagher family returned, and Annabelle Apsion reprised her role of absentee mother Monica, which led to the exit of Maggie O'Neill as Sheila Jackson. Dystin Johnson as Monica's lesbian lover Norma Starkey also returned as a regular cast member. With the introduction of Aaron McCusker as her new love interest, Rebecca Atkinson, who has played Karen Jackson since the first series, became a more prominent character, having been a recurring character during the second and third series. The Chatsworth police became a regular in the series with Michael Legge and Amanda Ryan portraying young police officers Tom and Carrie, alongside original cast member Warren Donnelly (Stan Waterman).

Season 5 (2008)

The fifth series aired between 1 January 2008 to 15 April 2008. It consisted of 16 episodes, a big expansion from previous series.

Season 6 (2009)

The sixth series began on 27 January and concluded on 5 May 2009. Again, the series consisted of 16 episodes.

The series begins with Debbie's sixteenth birthday and her break-up with PC Tom O'Leary. Ian recovers from amnesia, and decides he wants more than his life in Chatsworth has to offer. Monica is going through post-natal depression after the birth of her and Frank's seventh child, Stella. Mickey enrolls in college, and discovers a talent for writing sexy short-stories. Maxine, a spirited young auxiliary nurse, befriends both Carl and Debbie, and moves in with the Gallaghers. A parents' meeting at Liam's primary school affirms that Frank's youngest son is a genius. A rift develops in Jamie and Karen's marriage. Joe Pritchard, captain of the local football team, becomes Mandy's new boyfriend, but soon reveals a secret obsession with Karen. And Paddy's secret dalliance with another women leads to a chain of events that will change the Maguires forever. The tone of series six was noticeably darker than previous series, something which continued into the seventh series.

Series 7 (2010)

The seventh series began on 26 January 2010 and concluded on 4 May 2010. As with series 5 and 6, the seventh series consisted of 16 episodes.

Series 8 (2011)

Unlike any previous series, the eighth series of 22 episodes was split into two halves. The first five episodes were aired consecutively during one week, from 10 January to 14 January 2011, to tie-in with a series-opener story-arc. After this, the series returned to its regular weekly slot, and continued for a further 7 episodes between 18 January to 8 March 2011. After a four-month break, the final 9 episodes of the eighth series began on 30 August 2011 and concluded the series on 25 October 2011.

Series 9 (2012)

The ninth series of Shameless began on 9 January 2012 and concluded on 13 March 2012. The ninth series, originally consisting of 22 episodes, was reduced to 11 episodes, with the remaining 11 being turned into the tenth series. Like 2011, the first two episodes aired on two consecutive nights.

Series 10 (2012)

Series 10, originally planned to be the second half of the ninth series, was reduced from 11 episodes to 10. It aired between 13 September and 1 November 2012. As with the last two series, the first two episodes aired on two consecutive nights.

Series 11 (2013)

The eleventh and final series of Shameless began on 26 February 2013 and concluded the show itself on 28 May 2013. An expansion from the last two series, the eleventh series consisted of 14 episodes. The shows final episode saw the return of several departed characters, mostly consisting of the Gallagher children.

Setting

The Gallagher family reside at 2 Windsor Gardens on the fictional Chatsworth Estate, a deprived council estate in Stretford, Manchester.^[1] Originally the show was filmed on location in West Gorton in East Manchester and at the Pie Factory Studios in Salford. After Series 5, the show was filmed at a purpose-built set on the Roundthorn Industrial Estate in South Manchester, on the site of an old Umbro warehouse, and around Wythenshawe and Sale.

Cast

Shameless initially focused on the layabout Frank Gallagher and the lives of his six children, Fiona and boyfriend Steve, Lip, Ian, Carl, Debbie and Liam, and next door neighbours, Kev and Veronica. Later the Maguire family was introduced: Paddy, his wife, Mimi, and their three sons—Jamie, Shane and Mickey—and daughter, Mandy. The Maguires became the focus of the show as the Gallagher children departed. Other characters also become the focus after only starting off as minor characters, such as those from the Karib family.

Key
Series regular	Series guest	No appearances


	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Frank Gallagher	David Threlfall
Fiona McBride	Anne-Marie Duff										Anne-Marie Duff
Lip Gallagher	Jody Latham				Jody Latham						Jody Latham
Ian Gallagher	Gerard Kearns
Carl Gallagher	Elliott & Luke Tittensor	Elliott Tittensor									Elliott Tittensor
Debbie Gallagher	Rebecca Ryan
Liam Gallagher	Joseph Furnace		Johnny Bennett					Johnny Bennett
Steve McBride	James McAvoy
Sheila Jackson	Maggie O'Neill
Karen Maguire	Rebecca Atkinson
Kev Ball	Dean Lennox Kelly			Dean Lennox Kelly				Dean Lennox Kelly			Dean Lennox Kelly
Veronica Ball	Maxine Peake			Maxine Peake
Kash Karib	Chris Bisson		Chris Bisson			Chris Bisson
Yvonne Karib	Kelli Hollis						Kelli Hollis				Kelli Hollis
Tony	Anthony Flanagan
Jez	Lindsey Dawson
Carol Fisher	Marjorie Yates	Marjorie Yates
Marty Fisher	Jack Deam	Jack Deam		Jack Deam				Jack Deam			Jack Deam
Mandy Maguire	Samantha Siddall		Samantha Siddall						Samantha Siddall
Monica Gallagher	Annabelle Apsion		Annabelle Apsion	Annabelle Apsion				Annabelle Apsion			Annabelle Apsion
Norma Starkey	Dystin Johnson		Dystin Johnson	Dystin Johnson
Stan Waterman	Warren Donnelly	Warren Donnelly					Warren Donnelly
Lillian Tyler		Alice Barry
Paddy Maguire		Sean Gilder		Sean Gilder
Mimi Tutton		Tina Malone		Tina Malone
Craig Garland		Chris Coghill	Chris Coghill
Sue Garland		Gillian Kearney		Gillian Kearney
Kelly Ball		Sally Carman			Sally Carman						Sally Carman
Shane Maguire			Nicky Evans	Nicky Evans
Micky Maguire				Ciarán Griffiths
Tom O'Leary				Michael Legge
Jamie Maguire				Aaron McCusker
Carrie Rogers				Amanda Ryan
Chesney Karib				Qasim Akhtar	Qasim Akhtar
Meena Karib				Sarah Patel	Sarah Byrne
Joe Pritchard						Ben Batt
Maxine Donnelly						Joanna Higson
Bruce Donnelly							Philip Hill-Pearson
Libby Croker							Pauline McLynn
Patty Croker							Valerie Lilley
Billy Tutton							Michael Taylor	Michael Taylor
Avril Powell								Karen Bryson
Jackson Powell								Emmanuel Ighodaro
Letitia Powell								Kira Martin
Aidan Croker								Robbie Conway
Sita Desai								Aysha Kala
Gloria Meak									Angeline Ball		Angeline Ball
Ruby Hepburn									Kari Corbett
Dominic Meak									Stephen Lord		Stephen Lord
Stella Gallagher											Nikita Brownlee
Patreesha St Rose											Jacqui Boatswain
Mary Mae St Rose											Adelle Leonce
Sherilee											Sarah Totty
Derilee											Sue Vincent
Kassi Blanco											Jalaal Hartley
Esther Blanco											Isy Suttie
Tam Blanco											Rhys Cadman
Saul Blanco											Ryan Barr
Thalia Blanco											Jade Kidruff
Randall											Thaila Zucchi
Remona											Moya Brady

Critical reception

In April 2005, the programme's first series won the Best Drama Series category at the British Academy Television Awards. It was also nominated for Best British Drama at the National Television Awards 2007, but lost out to Doctor Who. Shameless won an award at the Royal Television Awards Society North West Awards 2007 where it beat Coronation Street to the Best Continuing Drama Award.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, Owen Jones in his book Chavs criticised the fact that the show portrayed working class people in a negative light "it fails to address how the characters ended up in their situation, or what impact the destruction of industry has had on working class communities in Manchester".

The programme has been sold overseas, where it airs on channels such as SBS One (Australia),^[2] UKTV (New Zealand), Acht (Belgium), I.Sat (Brazil), Showcase (Canada), Virgin 17 (France), Nederland 3 (Netherlands), YLE FST5 (Finland), SIC Radical (Portugal), RTÉ Two (Ireland), BBC America (only aired the first series) and Sundance Channel (United States), yes+ (Israel), I.Sat (Latin America) and Jimmy (Italy).

American version

HBO began developing an American version of Shameless after striking a deal with John Wells.^[3]

By October 2009, the development had moved to Showtime. John Wells Productions filmed a pilot episode for the cable network in January 2010. It stars William H. Macy in the Frank Gallagher role.^[4] Allison Janney was cast as a romantic interest for Frank, but left after taking a job on Matthew Perry's Mr. Sunshine and was unable to be a part of both series. Academy Award nominee Joan Cusack joined the cast as the new Sheila Jackson, along with Emmy Rossum as Frank's sensible and feisty eldest daughter, and Justin Chatwin as a car thief who falls for her.^[5] Showtime's Shameless cast also includes Jeremy Allen White, Cameron Monaghan, Emma Kenney, Ethan Cutkosky, Noel Fisher, Steve Howey and Shanola Hampton. The first episode of the series aired on Showtime on 9 January 2011.

Home media releases

Deleted and Extended scenes
Audio commentary

Shameless: Series 1
	Set Details			Special Features
	7 Episodes 2 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Meet the Cast An interview with Paul Abbott
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland	Australia	United States
	27 December 2004	22 September 2005	24 April 2007
Shameless: Series 2 + Christmas Special
	Set Details			Special Features
	11 Episodes 3 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Feature Length Christmas Special Audio Commentary (Episode 4) Featuring Paul Abbott, Dearbhla Walsh & Matt Jones
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland		Australia
	31 October 2005		7 October 2010
Shameless: Series 2
	Set Details			Special Features
	10 Episodes 3 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Audio Commentary (Episode 4) Featuring Paul Abbott, Dearbhla Walsh & Matt Jones
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	16 January 2006
Shameless: Series 3 + New Year Special
	Set Details			Special Features
	8 Episodes 3 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Feature Length New Year Special Mockumentary: Being Alice Barry (Lillian Unpeeled)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom. Ireland
	30 October 2006
Shameless: Series 1-3 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	26 Episodes 8 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Meet the Cast An interview with Paul Abbott Feature Length Christmas Special Audio Commentary (Episode 4) Featuring Paul Abbott, Dearbhla Walsh & Matt Jones Feature Length New Year Special Mockumentary: Being Alice Barry (Lillian Unpeeled)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	30 October 2006
Shameless: Series 4
	Set Details			Special Features
	8 Episodes 3 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Take That Sequence Directors Cut The Missing Scenes Full Unedited Frank Rant Outtakes
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	29 October 2007
Shameless: Series 1-4 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	34 Episodes 11 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Meet the Cast An interview with Paul Abbott Feature Length Christmas Special Audio Commentary (Episode 4) Featuring Paul Abbott, Dearbhla Walsh & Matt Jones Feature Length New Year Special Mockumentary: Being Alice Barry (Lillian Unpeeled) Take That Sequence Directors Cut The Missing Scenes Full Unedited Frank Rant Outtakes
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	29 October 2007
Shameless: Series 5
	Set Details			Special Features
	16 Episodes 5 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Behind-The Scenes Exclusives Audio Commentaries on Episode 9 & 11 Building The Set Outtakes Deleted Scenes
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	21 April 2008
Shameless: Series 1-5 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	50 Episodes 16 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Meet the Cast An interview with Paul Abbott Feature Length Christmas Special Audio Commentary (Episode 4) Featuring Paul Abbott, Dearbhla Walsh & Matt Jones Feature Length New Year Special Mockumentary: Being Alice Barry (Lillian Unpeeled) Take That Sequence Directors Cut The Missing Scenes Full Unedited Frank Rant Outtakes From Series 4 And 5 Behind-The Scenes Exclusives Audio Commentaries Building The Set
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	21 April 2008
Shameless: Series 6
	Set Details			Special Features
	16 Episodes 5 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Meeting Danny Meeting Carl & Maxine Frank's Alternative Titles Deleted and Extended Scenes Outtakes Audio Commentary - Episodes 7&12 Her name was Maxine his name was Carl Jockey Drinking Game (Alphabet Males)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	18 May 2009
Shameless: Series 1-6 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	66 Episodes 21 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Meet the Cast An interview with Paul Abbott Feature Length Christmas Special Audio Commentary (Episode 4) Featuring Paul Abbott, Dearbhla Walsh & Matt Jones Feature Length New Year Special Mockumentary: Being Alice Barry (Lillian Unpeeled) Take That Sequence Directors Cut The Missing Scenes Full Unedited Frank Rant Outtakes From Series 4-6 Behind-The Scenes Exclusives Audio Commentaries Building The Set Meeting Danny Meeting Carl & Maxine Frank's Alternative Titles Deleted and Extended Scenes Audio Commentary - Episodes 7&12 Her name was Maxine his name was Carl Jockey Drinking Game (Alphabet Males)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	18 May 2009
Shameless: Series 7
	Set Details			Special Features
	16 Episodes 4 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Deleted and Extended scenes Audio commentary
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	17 May 2010
Shameless: Series 1-7 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	82 Episodes 25 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	17 May 2010
Shameless: Series 8
	Set Details			Special Features
	22 Episodes 4 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	9 January 2012
Shameless: Series 1-8 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	104 Episodes 31 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Special Features To Be Confirmed
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	9 January 2012
Shameless: Series 9
	Set Details			Special Features
	11 Episodes 3 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	25 February 2013
Shameless: Series 10
	Set Details			Special Features
	10 Episodes 3 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	20 May 2013
Shameless: Series 11
	Set Details			Special Features
	14 Episodes 4 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	2 September 2013
Shameless: Complete Series 1-11 Boxset
	Set Details			Special Features
	139 Episodes 41 Disc Set 16:9 Aspect Ratio Subtitles: yes (English) English (Stereo)			Special Features To Be Confirmed
	Release Dates
	United Kingdom, Ireland
	2 September 2013

References

^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-and-tv/new-home-for-soap-stars-of-shameless-982102
^ "SBS Episode Guide: Shameless". SBS Online. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
^ Holmwood, Leigh (5 January 2009). "HBO cues up US version of Shameless". guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian News and Media.
^ "Showtime greenlights Shameless pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. 14 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Allison Janney, Emmy Rossum and Justin Chatwin join US Shameless remake". Sky.com. Retrieved 26 January 2010.

Johnson BL. 2012. 'Shameless: Situating Sex Beyond the City' in 'Television, Sex and Society: Analyzing Contemporary Representations'. Johnson B, Aston J, Glynn B (Eds.). London and New York: Continuum.

External links

[1] ttp://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-and-tv/new-home-for-soap-stars-of-shameless-982102

[2] "SBS Episode Guide: Shameless". SBS Online. Retrieved 30 September 2010.

[3] Holmwood, Leigh (5 January 2009). "HBO cues up US version of Shameless". guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian News and Media.

[4] "Showtime greenlights Shameless pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. 14 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[5] "Allison Janney, Emmy Rossum and Justin Chatwin join US Shameless remake". Sky.com. Retrieved 26 January 2010.

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