"Shameless" (2004) TV series 2004-????

User Rating:

9.1/10   

Creator:

Paul Abbott

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

13 January 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits...

Plot Keywords:

Head Butt | Siblings | Family | Melodrama | Semi Autobiographical

Awards:

9 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

David Threlfall	...	Frank Gallagher (50 episodes, 2004-2008)
Gerard Kearns	...	Ian Gallagher (50 episodes, 2004-2008)
Elliott Tittensor	...	Carl Gallagher (50 episodes, 2004-2008)
Rebecca Ryan	...	Debbie Gallagher (49 episodes, 2004-2008)
Rebecca Atkinson	...	Karen Jackson / ... (40 episodes, 2004-2008)
Jody Latham	...	Philip 'Lip' Gallagher (35 episodes, 2004-2008)
Kelli Hollis	...	Yvonne / ... (35 episodes, 2004-2008)
Samantha Siddall	...	Mandy Maguire (34 episodes, 2004-2008)
Alice Barry	...	Lillian / ... (33 episodes, 2004-2008)
Warren Donnelly	...	Stan / ... (32 episodes, 2004-2008)
Johnny Bennett	...	Liam Gallagher (30 episodes, 2006-2008)
Maggie O'Neill	...	Sheila Jackson (28 episodes, 2004-2007)
Marjorie Yates	...	Carol Fisher (28 episodes, 2004-2007)
Lindsey Dawson	...	Jez (28 episodes, 2004-2007)
Dean Lennox Kelly	...	Kev (27 episodes, 2004-2007)
Maxine Peake	...	Veronica (27 episodes, 2004-2007)
Annabelle Apsion	...	Monica Gallagher (25 episodes, 2004-2008)
Nicky Evans	...	Shane Maguire (25 episodes, 2006-2008)
Dystin Johnson	...	Norma Starkey / ... (24 episodes, 2004-2008)
Tina Malone	...	Mimi Maguire (23 episodes, 2005-2008)
Sean Gilder	...	Patrick Maguire (22 episodes, 2005-2008)
Ciaran Griffiths	...	Mickey Maguire (22 episodes, 2007-2008)
Jack Deam	...	Marty Fisher (21 episodes, 2004-2007)
Aaron McCusker	...	Jamie Maguire (21 episodes, 2007-2008)

Runtime:

60 min (including commercials) (32 episodes) | 90 min (including commercials) (2 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA | UK:15 (Season 1) | UK:15 (Season 2) | UK:18 (Season 3)

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Company Pictures

Trivia:

The role of Frank was originally given to Sean Gallagher, but then it was thought he was too young to play the character. It cost makers Company Pictures £100,000 to re-shoot the scenes already filmed with David Threlfall as a replacement.

Quotes:

Kev: [after a girl says she wants a a different guy for each letter of the alphabet] Zack, I think you're in here mate.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tales of the Unaccepted: Olive Benjamin (#1.2)" (2007)

Vital, visceral, poignant, all with perfect comedic timing.

From the very first episode you will be drawn into the lives of each of the principal characters - warts and haloes and all. Each is fully realized with a light and dark side, shown incrementally and alternately through their actions and their reluctantly expressed concerns. The story lines are both outrageous and – once you spend a few minutes with this family – absolutely believable, and move at an enervatingly brisk while gratifyingly even pace. I'm so glad I found out about it when Series II had already completed, and could enjoy it from episode 1.1 through the end of series II. While it seems evident that Series III will commence with casting changes, this production is so incredibly well planned (unlike most U.S. series - Lost, I'm looking at you) that the story arc girds you quite well for even fundamental shifts, and instills great anticipation. The show addresses immediate, on-the-ground social issues like complacency vs. poverty, avarice vs. honor, cheating vs. work (and stealing vs. profit), lust vs. love, and 9 times out of 10 the virtuous parts of humanity are exemplified and enjoyed (but always with the other side engaged and/or confronted in the process). That 10th time is where Frank comes in. Paul Abbott is a brave artist, a brave man, and a brave son. Never has such a reluctant father been so well-realized and so generously presented. Now. When do we get Series III?