SHAMELESS: Emmy Rossum to Exit

SHAMELESS’ expanded ninth season will be Emmy Rossum’s last with the show, Showtime confirmed.

Rossum first announced the news on her official Facebook page. “The opportunity to play Fiona has been a gift,” she wrote. “There are few characters — female or otherwise — as layered and dynamic. She is a mother lion, fierce, flawed and sexually liberated. She is injured, vulnerable, but will never give up. She is living in an economic depression, but refuses to be depressed. She is resourceful. She is loyal. She is brave. I knew it the second I read the pilot script, this was different, this was special. I tirelessly prepped the audition with my coach Terry Knickerbocker. I walked to the appointment in the rain so I looked disheveled. During my third audition, when I got the part IN the room, I literally jumped up and down screaming in joyous relief and disbelief. Quite simply, the last eight years have been the best of my life.”

“I know you will continue on without me, for now,” she continued. “There is much more Gallagher story to be told. I will always be rooting for my family. Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block.”

In his own statement, SHAMELESS showrunner John Wells indicated Rossum could potentially return if the show was picked up for a tenth season. “Emmy Rossum will forever be part of the SHAMELESS family,” he said. “She has been integral to the show’s success, from her wonderful portrayal of Fiona to her leadership role on set, as well as directing multiple episodes of the series. We are hard at work now creating a season nine finale for SHAMELESS which we hope will provide a Gallagher-worthy sendoff for Fiona that honors the great work Emmy has done. It is always bittersweet when an ensemble member decides to move out of the proverbial house, but our door will always remain open for Fiona to return home for a visit, or to move back in. I look forward to continuing the stories of this wildly unpredictable family and all of us on SHAMELESS will miss Emmy and her wonderful Fiona.”

Added Showtime Networks President of Programming Gary Levine: “We were saddened when Emmy Rossum let us know that the upcoming ninth season of SHAMELESS would be her last. But we are filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude for Emmy’s inspired work on our series, of course in front of the camera but also behind it. Fiona Gallagher will always be one of Showtime’s iconic characters, and we applaud Emmy for bringing this character to life in such a natural, touching and fearless performance. On behalf of everyone at Showtime and her millions of fans, we thank you Emmy!”

SHAMELESS, Season Premiere, Sunday, September 9, 9/8c, Showtime

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Showtime Expands SHAMELESS Season 9

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