Summary
- Emmy Rossum had to fight for the role of Fiona on Shameless because she was too good-looking to play the character.
- Rossum's stellar performance as Fiona helped the show become a success and earned her critical acclaim and award nominations.
- Since leaving Shameless, Rossum has pursued passion projects like the miniseries Angelyne and starred in The Crowded Room alongside Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried.
Every actor must face the daunting task of auditioning for a role, and in truth, this does not go well for everyone. Even the most seasoned actors flub their audition. Sometimes, a good audition isn't enough to seal the deal.
When the U.S. version of Shameless was filling its roles, Emmy Rossum was gunning for the role of Fiona Gallagher. The problem? Fiona is rough around the edges, and it just so happens that Emmy Rossum did not look the part at all!
Let's take a look at how she persevered, helped the show become a smash hit, and pursued a passion project when it was all done.
Emmy Rossum Was Considered Too Pretty To Play Fiona Gallagher On Shameless
It's hard to imagine anyone other than Emmy Rossum in the role of Fiona Gallagher on Shameless, but when the show was casting its leads, Rossum had some difficulty even getting an audition. It wasn't for lack of talent, but rather that she was too good looking to play someone like Fiona.
"They didn't want to see me; they wouldn't even [let me] audition. They thought my image was too glamorous, that I couldn't not be pretty," the actress told Manhattan.
It's not often that someone is simply too good looking to play a character, but Rossum found herself navigating a difficult position when gunning for the role.
Thankfully, this did not stop her from trying.
"I really had to fight for this job. I was told initially that they didn't think that I was right for it. And everyone else was cast already. Fiona was the last one to be cast, so it was kind of like a do or die situation," she said in an interview.
After several rounds of auditions, Emmy Rossum earned the role of Fiona on Shameless, and just like that, she scored the role of a lifetime, and took the show and her career to another level.
She Landed The Role, And Helped The Show Become A Juggernaut
Shameless debuted in 2011, introducing viewers to the chaotic yet endearing Gallagher family. Set in the gritty backdrop of Chicago's South Side, the series follows the tumultuous lives of the Gallagher siblings led by their dysfunctional but resilient patriarch, Frank Gallagher, portrayed masterfully by William H. Macy. The show not only gained critical acclaim but also garnered a devoted fan base.
At the heart of Shameless is Emmy Rossum's portrayal of Fiona Gallagher, the resilient and resourceful eldest sibling. Rossum's performance is a cornerstone of the show's success, earning her widespread acclaim. Fiona is the glue holding the Gallagher family together, navigating the challenges of poverty, relationships, and self-discovery.
Emmy Rossum's stellar performance did not go unnoticed by the industry. She received critical acclaim and several award nominations for her portrayal of Fiona Gallagher.
Once Rossum departed the series, there was a noticeable piece that was missing, and it was never the same. After coming to an end, Shameless left behind a major legacy, and Emmy Rossum's portrayal of Fiona went down as one of the best in TV history.
Since leaving the series, Rossum has remained busy.
What Emmy Rossum Has Been Up To Since Leaving The Series
After a few projects in 2019, the same year that she left Shameless, Emmy Rossum ventured back to TV for the miniseries, Angelyne.
This was a passion project for Rossum, and when speaking with The AV Club, she dished on what it felt like completing the project and moving on.
"I’m excited, happy, relieved, and sad to let her go. I’m excited because realistically when you share something with people, it no longer belongs just to you. We got to have our version of Angelyne all to ourselves for so long and we’re sharing it with people. It’s wonderful to be able to do that on a big scale."
She continues, "I hope it will elevate the work of the many artists who worked on it, from our incredible production designers to costume designers to the directors. There are so many people who worked on this that are simply A-plus. I also hope we have told a story about identity, reinvention, and control over your life that is empowering and universally emotional," she said.
Just this year, Rossum also starred in The Crowded Room, which also featured Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried.
Losing out on Shameless for a silly reason would have been a major blow, but Emmy Rossum pulled it off, and now she's able to pursue projects that she is passionate about.
