Last year, I remember sitting down to watch the series premiere of Shameless. I had seen a few ads, and, after researching it, discovered that it was a remake of a popular U.K. series of the same name. As a fan of Emmy Rossum and William H. Macy, I decided to give it a try. Two seasons later, it has become one of my favorite television programs currently on the air.

The show has many wonderful attributes. However, where I think it excels most is in the casting. Each actor is truly sublime in their role. The series was cast with only two well-known actors, William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum, the rest of the cast primarily being unknowns. William H. Macy, whom audiences are used to seeing as the nerdy conservative type, goes completely against type as Frank Gallagher, a drug-addled, mess-of-a-father with six kids. His eldest child, Fiona, is played beautifully by Emmy Rossum. As Fiona has basically raised her five younger siblings, she is incredibly tough and guarded. However, Rossum brings a lovely vulnerability to the role in a way not many other actresses could. She is both beautiful and messy, smart and naïve – even both mother and child.

While I love both Frank and Fiona, it’s the two oldest males of the Gallagher troop, Lip and Ian, that I find to be the most complex and interesting of the entire show. Jeremy Allen White, who portrays the oldest brother, Lip, reminds me of a young Sean Penn, not just physically, but in measures of talent, as well. White has undeniable star potential, but it’s also the writing of his character that helps him shine. Lip is given some of the best story lines on Shameless, getting to really flex his acting muscles and to portray some extremely raw intensity.

Ian, who is played by Cameron Monaghan, is the third-oldest child of the family, who also happens to be gay. What is so wonderful about his character is that he is unlike any other homosexual character on television – ever. Whereas some gay characters on TV are portrayed stereotypically and even sometimes offensively, Ian breaks that mold entirely. Ian is extremely masculine, plans to join the army, and can take a punch like Tyson. The writers of the show give him some great storylines, as well, creating a very complex, intelligent, and sometimes lost individual.

The three youngest children of the Gallagher family, Debbie, Carl, and Liam, were all unknowns prior to being cast on Shameless. Debbie, played by Emma Kenney, has impressive comedic timing for such a young actress. With more experience, I believe she could become an extremely talented actress, hopefully making the transition from child actor to adult actor smoothly. Ethan Cutkosky, who plays Carl, also has impressive comedic timing. I personally hope to see him get more story lines as he gets older. Finally, there’s baby Liam, played by Blake and Brennan Johnson. Obviously, as a baby, he isn’t saying much. I am, however, interested to see if the actor remains the same for the duration of the show.

Shameless really is an amazing show. What confuses me most about it is how little recognition the first season received at the Emmy awards. Joan Cusack was the only nominated actor, a nod she recieved for her guest-starring role (she has since become a series regular) as Karen’s mother, Sheila. While she certainly deserved the nomination and is fantastic in the role, I was pretty disappointed that no other nominations were given to Shameless in any category. I’m hoping, though, since the ratings have sky rocketed for season two and the critical acclaim for the show has continued to spread, that at next year’s Emmy awards Shameless will be recognized for the brilliance it brings to the small screen.

Are any of you watching Shameless?  Which character do you identify with most?