Plot Synopsis

Frank Gallagher is full of Irish love and pride for his large brood, but that's about it. He's usually partying or passed out drunk, mom is AWOL, and the kids in this working-class family are basically raising themselves. Meanwhile, the electric bill is due, there's no money, and someone has to look after baby Liam. It's one day at a time for this crazy dysfunctional family, but their mutual love and support for each other always see them through. Meet the four oldest kids: Fiona, who, after being pursued by Steve, a rich player with a flashy car and a loose credit card, is now dividing her time between caring for the household and working at Worldwide Cup with her boss/boyfriend Mike Pratt; Lip, the smart one in the family, who once tutored neighbor Karen and got repayed in kind, and is now off to college, where he's struggling for the first time; Ian, who was grappling with homosexuality and being grappled by a co-worker and is now AWOL; Debbie, the young daughter, who was an adorable and innocent little girl, now descending into teenage angst.

In Season 2, Fiona spent her nights working at a happening nightclub and her days keeping an eye on Debbie and Carl, as they ran a makeshift daycare center at the house. Meanwhile, brothers Lip and Ian were toying with the idea of college.

Season 3 opened with Frank missing and trying to get back home by enlisting the help of Mexican coyotes and drug smugglers to get him across the border, while Fiona lost yet another job, then paid $1,000 to promote her own night club, and tried to get a job at a grocery store, where the manager used his entire staff for his personal pleasure. The third season premiered on Showtime on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT.

SHAMELESS returned for its 12-episode fourth season on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime. The new season picked up where Season 3 left off: with the Gallaghers braving another brutal Chicago winter and waiting on the medical fate of their flawed, permanently pickled patriarch, Frank. In the Season 4 finale Fiona gets out of jail, Frank starts feeling like his old self, Lip catches up on his bills, and Sheila fights for custody, clashing with Sammi.

Showtime premiered the 12-episode fifth season of SHAMELESS on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT. Season 5 finds the Gallaghers dealing with both the upside and downside of personal and urban renewal. As their neighborhood begins a move towards gentrifying, the Gallagher clan begins to reconcile their chaotic past in the hopes of building a better future. Dermot Mulroney, Steve Kazee and Sasha Alexander will guest star. In the season opener, "Milk of the Gods," it's summertime again in Chicago. Fiona balances her job at Patsy's Pies and a crush on her older boss, Sean, as Lip says goodbye to college and Amanda. He heads back home where he struggles to fit in with his old Southside friends. But he's not the only thing in the neighborhood that's changing though, realtors are buying up property and a new, trendy yoga studio has popped up. Meanwhile, Frank, still recovering from his liver transplant, is living at Sheila's and working on a secret project in her basement while Sheila works upstairs to get rid of a problematic Sammi and Chuckie.

The 12-episode sixth season of SHAMELESS premiered on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime, immediately following an all-day marathon (9am-9pm) of encore episodes. Season 6 picks up shortly after last year's finale, as the Gallaghers prepare for yet another long Chicago winter. This season will see more than just the arctic Lake Michigan winds whipping through the South Side. Change is hard, and the Gallaghers are as surprised as anyone at how life is turning out for them. But the question remains, as they come into their own and find out who they are, is it really possible that the Gallaghers could grow apart for good? In the season opener, "I Only Miss Her When I'm Breathing," Frank's new found appreciation for life freaks everyone out; Fiona is determined to get Ian to take his meds; Debbie takes a pregnancy test.

Showtime premiered Season 7 of SHAMELESS on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT. When we last saw the Gallagher clan, they threw their narcissistic dad Frank off a bridge into the Chicago River after he showed up high at Fiona's wedding with a revelation that destroyed her happy ending. Now, in the season opener, "Hiraeth," Frank wakes from a coma to learn that he has not been missed; Debbie wants Franny to grow up wealthy; Lip considers rehab; Carl researches circumcision; Ian gets a bad feeling about Caleb's friend.

The 12-episode eighth season of SHAMELESS premiered on Sunday, November 5 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime. Season 8 finds the Gallaghers on an upswing -- Frank comes out of a drug-induced haze and decides it's finally time to be a contributing member of society, while Fiona faces hard decisions when she discovers her success as a landlord may mean someone else's misfortune. Lip struggles with unexpected sacrifices he must make to stay sober, while Ian takes up a cause in hopes of getting back with Trevor. Debbie builds her future at welding school while juggling life as a single working mom, as Carl gets creative finding tuition money after he loses his scholarship. Meanwhile, Liam discovers just how different the Gallaghers are from the families of his rich classmates as Frank schools him on "sticking it to the man." This season of SHAMELESS features new recurring guest stars Jessica Szohr as Fiona's tenant, Nessa; and Farah Tahir as Frank's new boss, Adeeb. Season 8 also welcomes back returning recurring guest stars Elliot Fletcher as Trevor, Ruby Modine as Sierra and Scott Michael Campbell as Brad.

On Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT, Showtime premiered the ninth season of SHAMELESS. In Season 9, political fervor hits the South Side and the Gallaghers take justice into their own hands. Frank sees financial opportunity in campaigning and decides to give voice to the underrepresented South Side working man. Fiona tries to build on her success with her apartment building and takes an expensive gamble hoping to catapult herself into the upper echelon. Lip distracts himself from the challenges of sobriety by taking in Eddie's niece, Xan. Ian faces the consequences of his crimes as the Gay Jesus movement takes a destructive turn. Debbie fights for equal pay and combats harassment; and her efforts lead her to an unexpected realization. Carl sets his sights on West Point and prepares himself for cadet life. Liam must develop a new skillset to survive outside of his cushy private school walls. Kevin and V juggle the demands of raising the twins with running the Alibi as they attempt to transform the bar into a socially conscious business. The 9th season features the show's 100th episode in week four. Also, the 14-episode ninth season is split in two parts, with the first seven episodes airing Fall 2018 from Sunday, September 9 through October 21, 2018.

Season 10 of SHAMELESS premiered on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime. The new season picks up six months after last season's finale: Frank uses his leg injury to collect as many prescription drugs as possible and his exploits lead him to an old friend. Debbie, emboldened by the $50,000 left to her by Fiona, has stepped in as the new matriarch, ruling over the Gallagher household with an iron fist. Lip navigates his relationship with a newly affectionate Tami. Carl has to decide what to do with his life as he finishes military school and heads back to the South side. Liam is committed to learning more about black history and culture under the tutelage of V as Kev faces an identity crisis. Gallavich returns this season as Ian and Mickey rekindle their romance in prison as both cellmates and lovers. In the season opener "We Few, We Lucky Few, We Band of Gallaghers!," Frank milks his injury for all its worth as Debbie, now the self-elected leader of the Gallagher family, cooks up a scam of her own. Lip and Tami get a surprise. Carl returns home from military school and Liam faces an identity crisis.

On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT, Showtime premiered the eleventh and final season of SHAMELESS. The final season finds the Gallagher family and the South Side at a crossroads, with changes caused by the COVID pandemic, gentrification and aging to reconcile. As Frank confronts his own mortality and family ties in his alcoholic and drug-induced twilight years, Lip struggles with the prospect of becoming the family's new patriarch. Newlyweds Ian and Mickey are figuring out the rules and responsibilities of being in a committed relationship while Deb embraces her individuality and single motherhood. Carl finds an unlikely new career in law enforcement and Kevin and V struggle to decide whether a hard life on the South Side is worth fighting for. In the season opener, "This Is Chicago!," the Gallaghers adjust to life during the pandemic: Frank fears the loss of the South Side to gentrification, while bar closures force Kev and V to get creative at the Alibi. Sleep-deprived Lip and Tami work to make their new house a home as Carl finishes his time at the police academy. Debbie becomes her own boss and deals with the repercussions of her statutory rape conviction of 17-year-old Julia. Ian and Mickey's honeymoon phase is over as they have very different ideas about what married life would be.
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On Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT, Showtime premiered "Father Frank, Full of Grace," the series finale of SHAMELESS. Ian and Mickey shop for furniture for their new place and Kev and V look for a buyer for the Alibi. While Lip settles for a new job, Carl finally finds his calling in a new role on the police force. Debbie plunges into a treacherous world when she meets someone new. Frank comes to terms with his own mortality.