Emmy Rossum is Leaving “Shameless” After Season 9

Frank Gallagher might be the most hilarious character on Shameless, but Fiona was always its heart and soul. Unfortunately, she will no longer be around after season 9 wraps up. Emmy Rossum surprised the fans by announcing her sudden departure from the series that made her a household name.

Rossum said her goodbyes in a touching Facebook post and used it as an opportunity to express her gratitude to the cast and crew of this “wonderfully written, wonderfully layered show.” She expressed her undying love for the character she’s been portraying all these years and described her as resourceful, loyal, fierce, and flawed. Rossum mentioned the last eight years have been the best of her life, but it’s time to let go.

“I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told. 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,” she wrote.

Her exit came as a surprise to fans, but her on-screen dad William H. Macy said he was expecting it. He supports Rossum’s decision to branch out and try new things, and so does Showtime’s head of programming, Gary Levine.

“We were saddened when Emmy Rossum let us know that the upcoming ninth season of Shameless would be her last. But we are filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude for Emmy’s inspired work on our series… On behalf of everyone at Showtime and her millions of fans, we thank you Emmy!” said Levine.