Shameless Season 9: Why Is Ian Gallagher Leaving Shameless?

Shameless, episode 6 season 9 airs on Sunday, October 14 at 9pm on Showtime (Image: SHOWTIME/GETTY)

It's back! Shameless returns to Season 9 on Showtime 17694502193Y6DmNPk

Shameless season nine, episode six aired on Sunday (October 14)  on Showtime in the US, which was Cameron Monaghan's final episode. Unfortunately, the UK is two seasons behind the American version of Shameless.Seasons one to seven are available to watch on Netflix now and it is unclear when season eight and nine will be added. Sadly, two of the show's main cast members will not return to Shameless after this season.

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Emmy Rossum, who plays Fiona Gallagher, confirmed season nine would be her last in August 2018.

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Most recently, actor Cameron Monaghan who plays Ian Gallagher has announced he will not be returning after season nine.

Here’s everything you need to know about Monaghan’s exit from the show.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers about Shameless seasons 1-9

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WHY IS EMMY ROSSUM LEAVING SHAMELESS?

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Shameless, episode 6 season 9 airs on Sunday, October 14 at 9pm on Showtime (Image: SHOWTIME)

Why is Cameron Monaghan leaving Shameless?

Cameron Monaghan plays Ian Gallagher in Shameless.

On Tuesday, October 9, Monaghan 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).

His statement 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.

“Goodbye, Ian Clayton Gallagher. We’ll meet again?”

WHERE IS SHAMELESS FILMED?

• Shameless season 9 trailer: Watch the trailer for Shameless season 9
• Shameless season 9: When does Shameless season 9 come on?

Cameron Monaghan plays Ian Gallagher in Shameless. (Image: GETTY)

Ian is the son of Monica (played by Chloe Webb) and Clayton Gallagher (Kristoffer Ryan Winters), Frank Gallagher's (William H. Macy) brother.

Frank Gallagher's estranged wife Monica and Clayton had an affair in 1995 and she concealed the infidelity from the family, leading them to believe Ian was her husband's son.

However, the truth was uncovered at the end of season one and Clayton was revealed as the real father.

Ian is gay and suffers from bipolar disorder.

Monaghan has played Ian since the show first aired in 2011 and has featured in every season since.

HOW MANY EPISODES ARE IN SHAMELESS SEASON 9?

Connor announced he was leaving via Instagram (Image: Instagram • cameronmonaghan)

He received a Critics' Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Ian in 2015.

Episode six will hopefully tie up the loose ends of Ian Gallagher’s story.

In the penultimate episode, Ian was struggling to decide whether he would plead guilty due to insanity over his arson charges.

In the end, Ian took the insanity plea deal, suggesting his character will end his time on the show in prison.

However, lucily, Monaghan has confirmed he will return to Shameless for season 10.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Monaghan explained why he was returning to Shameless.

He said: “I ' ve renewed [my contract] a number of times and it got to a point where I wanted to step away for creative reasons as well as business, which many other actors had done on the show years earlier.

“I took some time away and talked to showrunner John Wells about possible things we could do with the character in the future and we got to a place both creatively and financially where I felt comfortable coming back.

“Much of that had to do with what we are going to do with the story. I’m excited to go back and do that.”

He also teased what would be in store for his character in season 10.

Monaghan said: “Now that we’ve torn him down … [and] instead of just looking for a relationship or resolving relationship conflict [it would be interesting] to instead [to see him] be working on himself.

“It’s interesting that Ian worked his way up, got his life on track and completely wrecked it… Seeing him learn to lead the family and take care of himself and be on the straight and narrow … would be an interesting arc for him. I’d like to see something outside of just him searching and being single and hooking up with people.”

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Shameless season 9 airs on Showtime on Sundays in the US

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