Shameless: Series, Cast, the Gallaghers and the US Remake

Few British dramas have travelled as far as Shameless. Paul Abbott's chaotic, warm-hearted portrait of the Gallagher family ran for 11 series on Channel 4, inspired an 11-season US remake on Showtime and has been adapted in Turkey, Russia and, most recently, India with Itti Si Khushi in 2025.

Here is the story of the Chatsworth estate, the cast and the show's lasting legacy. Browse more classic shows in our TV series collection.

Shameless Fact File

Title	Shameless
Years aired	2004-2013
Creator	Paul Abbott
Network	Channel 4
Production company	Company Pictures
Series and episodes	11 series, 139 episodes
Genre	Comedy drama
Setting	The fictional Chatsworth estate, Manchester
Main cast	David Threlfall, Anne-Marie Duff, James McAvoy, Maxine Peake, Jody Latham, Gerard Kearns
Signature character	Frank Gallagher

Series Timeline

Year	Milestone	Notes
2004	Series 1 premieres	First episode aired on Channel 4 on 13 January 2004
2005	BAFTA win	Best Drama Series at the BAFTA TV Awards
2007	RTS North West Award	Best Continuing Drama, beating Coronation Street
After series 5	New home	Filming moves to a purpose-built set in south Manchester
2011	US remake launches	Showtime version starring William H. Macy begins
2013	Final episode	The UK series ends on 28 May 2013 after 11 series

The UK series ran for 11 series and 139 episodes in total.

How Shameless Began

Paul Abbott drew on his own experience of growing up in a large family in Burnley to create Shameless. The show centred on Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, and his resourceful children, led by eldest daughter Fiona, who held the family together.

The first series arrived on Channel 4 on 13 January 2004 and quickly stood out for its humour, energy and big heart. Its mix of laugh-out-loud comedy and moving drama kept it on air for nine years and 139 episodes, a remarkable run for a British drama.

Celebrate the Gallaghers with our Shameless Men's Hoodie.

The Cast and Characters

David Threlfall's Frank became one of the great British TV characters, while Anne-Marie Duff played Fiona and James McAvoy appeared as her boyfriend Steve. Maxine Peake played neighbour Veronica, and Jody Latham and Gerard Kearns played brothers Lip and Ian.

As the series went on, the ensemble grew to include the Maguire family, with Tina Malone, Sean Gilder and Ciarán Griffiths among the familiar faces.

Pay tribute to the Chatsworth estate with our Shameless Men's T-Shirt.

Awards and the US Remake

Shameless won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series in 2005 and Best TV Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards. In 2007 it beat Coronation Street to Best Continuing Drama at the Royal Television Society North West Awards.

The US version, starring William H. Macy as Frank and Emmy Rossum as Fiona, ran on Showtime from 2011 to 2021 across 11 seasons, becoming the network's longest-running original scripted series.

Awards

Major Awards

BAFTA TV Award, Best Drama Series (2005)
British Comedy Award, Best TV Comedy Drama
RTS North West Award, Best Continuing Drama (2007)

Nominations and Legacy

National Television Awards nomination, Best British Drama (2007)
Remade in the US, Turkey, Russia and India

Behind the Scenes

Early series were filmed in West Gorton in east Manchester, at Pie Factory Studios in Salford and in Wythenshawe. After series five, production moved to a purpose-built set on the Roundthorn Industrial Estate in south Manchester.