TV Lists

Goodbye Fiona: Our Favorite Emmy Rossum 'Shameless' Moments

As the Showtime hit says goodbye to its leading lady, we remember some of her best moments over the years.

If you've kept up with the chaos of the Shameless crew since the show premiered in 2011, you know how much has changed over the nine seasons of the critically acclaimed Showtime drama.

Audiences have watched the Gallagher kids grow up, get into trouble, connive their way out of trouble, and then inevitably get into even bigger trouble. Through it all, Fiona Gallagher, the eldest sibling and most consistently responsible, held the family together with love, compassion, and the occasional violent act. But as season nine comes to a close, fans have to adjust to the idea of Shameless without Fiona, as actress Emmy Rossum moves on from the show.

To say goodbye to one of the best characters on TV, we've compiled five moments that capture what we love most about the most badass Gallagher sibling.

Fiona never took any shit. If you were nice to her, she'd be nice to you, but if you started something, she wasn't afraid to finish it. Southside doesn't back down.

While a big part of what makes Shameless so good is the high quality acting from every cast member, Emmy Rossum was always a standout. This monologue is one of the finest moments of dramatic acting in recent television history and shows Fiona's inner strength in conflict with her vulnerability, part of the dynamic that makes her such a fascinating character.

Shameless US | Fiona's Speech to Monicawww.youtube.com

As tough as she is, Fiona also has very human moments. In this scene, you see Fiona find out that their deadbeat mother stole the family's emergency funds.

She goes through a range of emotion, from panic to anger, to despair, and delivers the performance so viscerally she brings the audience on the journey with her.

Shameless US - Fiona finds out about the moneywww.youtube.com

Even when things got complicated, Fiona got things done. When Monica died, the whole family dealt with a lot of complicated feelings, but not Fiona. Her mother had been dead to her ever since she abandoned the family, so getting her buried was merely another thing on the to-do list.

Shameless | 'Get Her Into the Ground As Soon As Possible' Official Clip (Ep. 12) | Season 7youtu.be

While she may make mistakes, Fiona always acted out of love. She didn't need to sacrifice her life to raise the other Gallaghers, but she did, and this emotional speech, that ultimately won her custody of her siblings, shows why.

Shameless Season 3: Episode 7 Clip - Family Comes Firstyoutu.be

Fiona knows how to have fun. In this scene, she enjoys a rare moment of alone time and dances in her underwear, showing a glimpse of the carefree youth she may have been if life hadn't dealt her such a difficult hand.

Shameless - Fiona Dancing [8x8]www.youtube.com


Brooke IveyJohnson is a Brooklyn based writer, playwright, and human woman. To read more of her work visit her blog or follow her twitter @BrookeIJohnson.


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A Sad Day for ‘Shameless’ Fans

Actress Emmy Rossum is Leaving After Nine Seasons

Nine seasons in, Emmy Rossum is out.

A dysfunctional family is always fun to watch (so long as it's not yours), making Shameless a series fans can't get enough of. But it seems like one of its stars has had enough, as word that Emmy Rossum is leaving the show is making its way 'round the web.

She has played the role of Fiona Gallagher for nine seasons, the oldest of six siblings who take on a maternal role since her mom's pretty much out of the picture. With a dad (played by the talented William H. Macy) who is far from 'Father of the Year' material and a family dynamic that never ceases to slow down, the comedy-drama is a Showtime hit – the longest-running scripted series in the network's history.

While fans are stunned, Rossum's TV dad wasn't surprised in the least. "We've been expecting it," Macy told Entertainment Weekly. "I tell you, when you get to season 9 and you think of [whether] to keep going, it's daunting. It's hard not to think of: 'What would my life be post-Shameless?' And part of it is very frightening and part of it is very exciting. She's young and I think she's made the right choice. She's got another show that she's an executive producer on, so she's going right into something and she wants to branch out. Plus, she just got married. I wish her well. I can't wait to see what she's going to do next."

Neither can we, but what about Shameless? As they say in showbiz, "The show must go on," but will Shameless survive without one of its key players? And how will the writers deal with her departure? Die-hard fans are sure to keep watching, but a Shameless sans Rossum will take some getting used to.

Emmy Rossum Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Emmy Rossum Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Yet the 31-year-old Rossum is ready. Onward and upward, though one-upping Shameless will be a task to tackle. And she is thankful for her run and called the last eight years, "the best of (her) life." She told Entertainment Weekly she is "proud and filled with gratitude."

Shameless showrunner John Wells released a statement: "Emmy Rossum will forever be part of the Shameless family. 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."

As per CNN, "The first half of Season 9 premieres in September, with the finale set to air in March 2019." So, see the last of Rossum on Shameless and get your fill of "Fiona" before its farewell.


Melissa A. Kay is a New York-based writer, editor, and content strategist. Follow her work on Popdust as well as sites including TopDust, Chase Bank, P&G, Understood.org, The Richest, GearBrain, The Journiest, Bella, TrueSelf, Better Homes & Gardens, AMC Daycare, and more.


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