News drops
on the heels of
Emmy Rossum announcing
her exit after ninth season.
It was great knowing you “Gay Jesus.”
Just a month after Emmy Rossum who plays Fiona Gallagher, Cameron Monaghan, who plays bipolar and gay brother Ian, has now announced that he will be leaving the Showtime series at mid-season.
The actor also known for playing Jerome and now the Joker on Fox’s Gotham announced to his 2.1 million followers on Instagram that he would be leaving the series following the sixth episode this season.
This means the last fans will see of Monaghan as Ian in Shameless will be this Sunday (October 14).
Set your DVRs.
His Instagram reads:
“I have been a series regular on this show for roughly 10 years. I was the tender age of 15 when we shot the pilot, and I came of age in so many ways, both legally and personally.I was very lucky to mature and grow with this show. Experiencing so many firsts, maturing as an actor, a professional, and a human. In the process gaining friends, family, and the best coworkers a very lucky actor could ask for, and for this, I can be nothing but gracious.
All good things come to an end. An old cliche, but one that rings true with a sincerity and clarity especially in moments like these. Everything ends.The next episode will be my last. I have known since last year, but I didn’t want to give it away too early as I wanted this season to be a surprise for the audience, allowing them to experience Ian’s unsure journey with his character. This role has been a joy to inhabit, a wild and special ride, and I’d like to thank #Shameless as well as you, the viewers, for being there with him.”
In the current season of Shameless, Monaghan’s Ian — who like his mother, is bipolar — most recently entered an insanity plea as he fights for his freedom as he faces 10 to 15 years in jail after leading a religious uprising in which he was known as “Gay Jesus.” His character’s fate is slated to be revealed in the Oct. 14 installment of the series.
Monaghan is now the second series regular to leave Shameless this season. Monaghan’s statement implies that he’d be open to returning to the show, which is something showrunner John Wells (ER) hopes Rossum will do at some point as well.
The Hollywood Reporter says that Wells had to adjust episodes 13 and 14 of season nine to address Rossum’s exit, which had been something the actress had been debating for a while.
Monaghan has played Ian since the show first aired in 2011 and has featured in every season since. The edgy dramedy is not only an important show for Showtime, as it is the premium cable network’s highest-rated scripted series, but also for the Chicago production community as the series shoots here twice a year.
Showtime has not announced whether Shameless will be renewed for a 10th season.
