Emmy Rossum is saying goodbye to « Shameless. »
Rossum has played Fiona Gallagher on the Showtime series since 2011. She co-stars on the show with on-screen patriarch William H. Macy and an ensemble of young actors who play her siblings.
« The opportunity to play Fiona has been a gift, » Rossum added.
After Rossum broke the news on her Facebook page, executive producer and showrunner John Wells promised « a Gallagher-worthy sendoff for Fiona that honors the great work Emmy has done. »
Wells said the cast and crew are currently working on the Season 9 finale.
The first half of Season 9 premieres in September, with the finale set to air in March 2019.
« 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, » Wells wrote. « 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. »
According to Warner Bros., which produces the series, Rossum is leaving to explore « the next chapter in her career. »
Rossum’s time on « Shameless, » while critically hailed, never materialized any awards recognition for the actress.
The show afforded Rossum a chance to step into the role of director for the first time.
« I am a great believer in: You should know what you don’t know, » she told CNN last year . « I still don’t know a lot, but this is just the beginning of me figuring out what I don’t know, I guess. »
It is not known whether « Shameless » will have a Season 10. It was officially picked up for Season 9 in November of last year.
Rossum, however, seemed positive about the possibility of the show’s future after her departure.
« I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told, » she wrote on Facebook. « 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. »
