An alcoholic man lives in a perpetual stupor while his six children with whom he lives cope as best they can.

The series follows the dysfunctional family of Frank Gallagher, a single father of six children. While he spends his days drunk, his kids learn to take care of themselves.

Set in working-class Chicago, the Gallagher family, a working class family of eight, must survive the ups and downs of today's recession. With a mother who is out of her element and an alcoholic father who usually ends up passed out on the living room floor, 18-year-old daughter Fiona is left with the task of keeping her five younger brothers and sisters on the straight and narrow.

Shameless starts on Friday23 Mar at 22:30

Starring:

William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher

Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher

Jeremy Allen White as Phillip "Lip" Gallagher

Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher

Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher

Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher

Brennan Kane Johnson & Blake Alexander Johnson as Liam Gallagher

Shanola Hampton as Veronica Fisher

Steve Howey  as Kevin "Kev" Ball.

Justin Chatwin as Steve/Jimmy Lishman

Laura Slade Wiggins as Karen

Joan Cusack as Sheila Jackson