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There are plenty of television series that have turned into cultural phenomena and Showtime’s Shameless was a leading program for more than a decade. Beginning as an adaptation of a popular UK program, the American version of Shameless progressively found its own voice through the dysfunctional antics of the Gallagher family and those within their orbit in Chicago’s Southside.
Shameless faces its share of ups and downs throughout its 11 seasons and plenty of the show’s characters are left suffering as a result. Many of Shameless’ characters can’t help but sour by the end of the series, but there are still several individuals who come out as likable.
10 Carl Faces Responsibility And Prepares To Protect His City
Some of the most rewarding character development that takes place across Shameless’ 140 episodes is reserved for the younger members of the Gallagher clan since their characters are able to demonstrate the most drastic growth.
Carl Gallagher begins as a chaotic troublemaker, much like the rest of his family, but the later seasons of Shameless set Carl down a productive path that begins with military school and culminates with his placement on Chicago’s police force. By the end of the series, Carl stands out among all of the corruption that surrounds him and it’s impressive that he can maintain his morals.
9 Mickey Milkovich Evolves From Enemy Into Shameless’ Secret Weapon
Shameless does an excellent job with its development of the Gallagher family, and the Southside as a whole. The Milkovichs are portrayed in Shameless as the playfully antagonistic rivals to the Gallaghers. Most of the Milkovich family fulfill the roles of one-dimensional stereotypes, but Mickey Milkovich gains serious depth through his relationship with Ian Gallagher.
Shameless’ final seasons put an extra focus on Mickey and Ian’s future together. Their relationship is surprisingly compelling as Mickey grapples with feelings of inadequacies, doubts over the future, and an existential ambivalence following the loss of his father.
8 Veronica And Kevin Proudly Look To The Future
Veronica Fisher and Kevin Ball are fixtures of the Southside as they run the popular dive bar, The Alibi Room. The pair are important friends and good neighbors to the Gallaghers, and a strong sounding board for Fiona during the earlier seasons of Shameless.
Kev and Vee have no shortage of get-rich-quick schemes, but their intentions are always altruistic and there’s definite maturity on their part by the end of Shameless when they’re ready to put Chicago in their rearview mirror. Kev and Vee are often pushed into the role of comic relief, but they’re frequently selfless.
7 Sheila Jackson Doesn’t Let Chicago’s Chaos Keep Her Down
Shameless has experienced a few facelifts since its debut. William H. Macy was meant to be a big draw for audiences, but the first five seasons also showcase Joan Allen in the prominent role of Sheila Jackson. Allen’s Sheila is certainly one of the more heightened characters in Shameless’ early seasons, which is saying something.
She watches her family fall apart and she experiences tremendous loss, yet she’s able to maintain an optimistic disposition through it all and somehow get out of Chicago in one piece, even with bright prospects.
6 Tami Tamietti Is Proud And A Positive Influence For Lip
Shameless has a tendency to rotate through guest stars and relationships each season, so the audience learns to not grow too attached. Lip has gone through his share of messy romances, so it’s comforting when he and Tami Tamietti start a family together.
Tami often has to pick up the slack while Lip shirks responsibility. It’s very easy to hate Lip during these moments of weakness, and Tami only comes across as more reasonable in the process. She doesn’t deserve the shoddy treatment that she’s forced to put up with for so long.
5 Ian Opens Himself Up To Others And Accepts His Own Flaws
All of the Gallaghers have their own independent struggles to overcome, but Ian heads down an especially difficult path as he copes with his bipolar disorder. Ian does hit rock bottom, goes through some questionable storylines, and even spends some time in prison with Cameron Monaghan briefly leaving the series.
Shameless is always delicate with Ian’s character and his road to recovery after his prison release is thoughtful, emotional storytelling. Ian still doesn’t fully trust himself, but he has a family that trusts and loves him. He’s also lucky to have Mickey in his corner to keep him level.
4 Frank’s Rampant Narcissism Eventually Meets Its Match And He Turns A New Leaf
Frank Gallagher is an endlessly provocative and polarizing Shameless character. He’s done enough things that are truly despicable and selfish that he should probably never be forgiven or shown mercy from his family. However, Shameless continually finds ways to make Frank lovable, largely thanks to William H. Macy’s committed performance.
Despite Frank’s negligent and boorish nature, Shameless’ final season features him in constant pain and peril as he reflects on his life. Shameless doesn’t try to erase Frank’s past sins, but shows that he feels remorse for what he’s done and where he ends up.
3 Svetlana Helps Make Ends Meet And Never Sells Herself Short
The bulk of Shameless’ cast remains the same throughout its 11-year run, but one of its departures is Svetlana – a vital fixture at The Alibi Room alongside Kev and Vee in the first eight seasons. Svetlana is an agent of chaos and a lot of her storylines stretch Shameless’ credibility.
She even briefly ends up in a “throuple” with Kevin and Veronica as Shameless spins its wheels. Svetlana still comes out looking okay after all of this. The fact that her character gets an early exit rather than more seasons of aimless plotting, help do Svetlana justice.
2 Kermit And Tommy Make Sure The Alibi Room Is Full Of Laughs
One of the perks of a show that lasts for 11 seasons is that inevitably even the ancillary and background characters get fleshed out and receive their own storylines. The Alibi Room is one of the most popular settings in Shameless, and if there’s a scene set there then it’s likely that Kermit and Tommy will also be present.
These two are The Alibi Room’s most faithful customers and there’s genuine empathy that surrounds them by the end of Shameless. These two barflies are introduced as perpetual punchlines, but they become increasingly charming.
1 Liam Grows Up Into A Respectable, Upstanding Individual
Liam Gallagher is a pure ray of sunshine and it’s so encouraging that he continues to rise to the occasion while the rest of his family breaks under pressure. Liam is barely audible when Shameless begins and so the audience truly feels as if they’ve grown up with this member of the Gallagher family.
Shameless ends with Liam asking mature questions about his identity and he’s one of the few people that’s there for Frank during his final days. The futures for many of Shameless’ characters are shrouded in doubt, but it’s clear that Liam has a good, productive life ahead of him.
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