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Shameless

2004·Show
138Episodes in11Seasons·TV-MA
IMDb8.0Metacritic–7.6
Episode ratings

Where to watch

HuluBritboxThe RokuBritBoxPluto TV

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Shameless fingerprint

Big heart, funny.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6
  • Violence5

Heart

Moving and romantic

Much of it is about family and growing up.

  • Family Dynamics10
  • Coming of Age9
  • Pathos8

Humor

Plenty of dark humor and cringe comedy

  • Dark Humor9
  • Cringe Humor8
  • Situational Comedy7

World

Family, everyday modern life, and growing up

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting9
  • Dialogue Quality9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Standout editing

  • Editing8
  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting mood

Find more like it

Bittersweet showsAtmospheric shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 0Episode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15Episode 16Episode 17Episode 18Episode 19Episode 20Episode 21Episode 22
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
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Episode 8
Episode 9
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Episode 12
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Episode 16
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Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22

About

The story of a young group of siblings pretty much abandoned by their parents, surviving by their wits - and humor - on a rough Manchester council estate. Whilst they won't admit it, they need help and find it in Steve, a young middle class lad who falls for Fiona, the oldest sibling, and increasingly finds himself drawn to this unconventional and unique family. Anarchic family life seen through the eyes of an exceptionally bright fifteen year old, who struggles to come of age in the context of his belligerent father, closeted brother, psychotic sister and internet porn star neighbors.
Gritty British RealismDysfunctional Family SagaDark Social ComedyClass Conflict DramaRaw Coming-of-AgeUnflinching Poverty PortrayalSharp Character StudyCringe-Inducing HumorEmotional TurmoilSuburban Anarchy

Crew

Directed by:
Paul Walker, David Threlfall, Lawrence Till
Written by:
Ed McCardie, Tom Higgins, Jimmy Dowdall
Produced by:
Tim Whitby, Ed McCardie, Lawrence Till

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Shameless

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Shameless worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77/100 (IMDb 8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Shameless rated?

TV-MANuditySexual contentStrong languageDrug useViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated TV-MA in the United States. Content advisories: nudity, sexual content, strong language, drug use, violence, and disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does Shameless have?

11 seasons

It has 11 seasons with 138 episodes.

When did Shameless air?

It ran from 2004 to 2013 and has ended.

What language is Shameless in?

English

It was made in English.

In how many countries can I watch Shameless?

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GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Shameless in 39 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Shameless use?

Butt-MonkeyFlanderizationPerpetual PovertyEverybody SmokesNo SmokingGet-Rich-Quick SchemeFake Kill ScareFaking the DeadAbusive ParentsCatchphraseHypocritical HumourCorrupt the Cutieand 154 more

TV Tropes lists 166 storytelling tropes for Shameless, including Butt-Monkey, Flanderization, Perpetual Poverty.