Fiona Gallagher, portrayed by Emmy Rossum, bid farewell to Shameless after Season 9, leaving fans curious about her return. Emmy Rossum's departure was driven by scheduling conflicts and a desire to pursue new projects, marking the end of an era for the Gallagher family. Fiona's exit was strategically handled, providing a fitting sendoff as the character embarked on a new chapter in her life.
Source: Showtime
Emmy Rossum's departure from Shameless was a strategic move to explore new opportunities in her acting career. Fiona's exit was scripted at the end of season 9, where the character decided she had done all she could for her dysfunctional family, contributing significantly to her family's care with a substantial financial gift. Rossum's departure was also influenced by scheduling conflicts and her desire to take on fresh projects, including her role as star and executive producer in the Peacock miniseries Angelyne.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Fiona expressed her feelings about the difficult decision:
"I will never be saying goodbye to Fiona," she exclusively tells EW. "Fiona is a part of me and has been like every character is a part of you and you are a little bit part of them. My Shameless family is really my second family and I've spent so much time with them — 10,000 hours — that it really feels like we've all grown up together. I started on the show when I was 23 and now I'm not. [Laughs.] And it's a wonderful, wonderful amount of time and I feel incredibly proud of everything we have created. I'm just filled with gratitude for everyone's hard work."
Fiona's exit was carefully crafted in the storyline, with the character experiencing a near-perfect sendoff. Having invested in a property, Fiona's departure allowed her to start anew and contribute financially to her family's well-being.
Following her departure from Shameless, Emmy Rossum has been actively involved in various projects. She starred in and produced the miniseries Angelyne, and later appeared in The Crowded Room on Apple TV+. Her career moves demonstrate her commitment to diverse and challenging roles post-Shameless.
After the conclusion of Shameless Season 10, showrunner John Wells expressed his desire for Emmy Rossum, the original cast member who portrayed Fiona Gallagher, to make a return for the series finale. He told People, "I'll certainly ask her. We all love each other, and we've been through wonderful things together. While she's immersed in Angelyne for now, I'll leave her to that until the opportune time comes when I can start bugging her about a potential return." T
While there was hope for Fiona's return in the series finale of Shameless, the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts made Emmy Rossum's unfeasible.