Nine seasons in, Emmy Rossum is out.

A dysfunctional family is always fun to watch (so long as it’s not yours), making Shameless a series fans can’t get enough of. But it seems like one of its stars has had enough, as word that Emmy Rossum is leaving the show is making its way ’round the web.

She has played the role of Fiona Gallagher for nine seasons, the oldest of six siblings who take on a maternal role since her mom’s pretty much out of the picture. With a dad (played by the talented William H. Macy) who is far from ‘Father of the Year’ material and a family dynamic that never ceases to slow down, the comedy-drama is a Showtime hit – the longest-running scripted series in the network’s history.

While fans are stunned, Rossum’s TV dad wasn’t surprised in the least. “We’ve been expecting it,” Macy told Entertainment Weekly. “I tell you, when you get to season 9 and you think of [whether] to keep going, it’s daunting. It’s hard not to think of: ‘What would my life be post-Shameless?’ And part of it is very frightening and part of it is very exciting. She’s young and I think she’s made the right choice. She’s got another show that she’s an executive producer on, so she’s going right into something and she wants to branch out. Plus, she just got married. I wish her well. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next.”

Neither can we, but what about Shameless? As they say in showbiz, “The show must go on,” but will Shameless survive without one of its key players? And how will the writers deal with her departure? Die-hard fans are sure to keep watching, but a Shameless sans Rossum will take some getting used to.

Emmy Rossum Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Yet the 31-year-old Rossum is ready. Onward and upward, though one-upping Shameless will be a task to tackle. And she is thankful for her run and called the last eight years, “the best of (her) life.” She told Entertainment Weekly she is “proud and filled with gratitude.”

Shameless showrunner John Wells released a statement: “Emmy Rossum will forever be part of the Shameless family. She has been integral to the show’s success, from her wonderful portrayal of Fiona to her leadership role on set, as well as directing multiple episodes of the series. We are hard at work now creating a season nine finale for Shameless which we hope will provide a Gallagher-worthy sendoff for Fiona that honors the great work Emmy has done.”

As per CNN, “The first half of Season 9 premieres in September, with the finale set to air in March 2019.” So, see the last of Rossum on Shameless and get your fill of “Fiona” before its farewell.

Melissa A. Kay is a New York-based writer, editor, and content strategist. Follow her work on Popdust as well as sites including TopDust, Chase Bank, P&G, Understood.org, The Richest, GearBrain, The Journiest, Bella, TrueSelf, Better Homes & Gardens, AMC Daycare, and more.

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