Emmy Rossum Says Fiona’s ‘Shameless’ Departure Throws Back To The Show’s Pilot

Things will come full circle for Fiona Gallagher in “Shameless”.

Lead actress Emmy Rossum opened up about her character’s future following the announcement Rossum will be leaving the hit television show.

“[Fiona] goes to start to make her life elsewhere, and the way in which she says goodbye is quite moving,” Rossum told Entertainment Weekly. “Something that was set up… kind of pays off for Fiona. A door opens, and she walks through.”

Fiona’s swan song will include an interaction with her dad Frank (William H. Macy) that was foreshadowed all the way back in the pilot episode. “At the very end [of the finale] he’s trying to acknowledge what she did for the family,” she said. “It’s in some way reminiscent of what Fiona wanted to hear in the pilot when he was passed out drunk in the living room.”

“Now, of course, she doesn’t hear those exact words because Frank is a terrible narcissist and not very generous with words. But there’s an understanding that happens, and I think the way [executive producer] John [Wells] blocked the scene was so smart,” Rossum noted. “There’s a separation between the characters, but there’s a lot unsaid and understood between them.”

Rossum, 32, has starred on “Shameless” since its premiere in 2011 and her last confirmed appearance will be on March 10. Showtime has already renewed the series for a tenth season. Rossum said “never say never” about a possible guest appearance.