SHOWTIME has announced that the ninth season of its hit comedy series SHAMELESS will expand to a 14-episode order, and will air in two parts - this fall and in winter 2019. The first seven episodes will begin airing on Sunday, September 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with a midseason finale on Sunday, October 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The second half of season nine will premiere on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring Oscar(R) nominee and Emmy(R) and SAG Award winner William H. Macy and Golden Globe(R) nominee Emmy Rossum, SHAMELESS is one of the network's longest-running and most successful series, and ranks as the network's No. 1 show, attracting the youngest-skewing audience of any SHOWTIME series. SHAMELESS season nine will feature the show's 100th episode in week four, and is currently in production in Los Angeles. In season nine of SHAMELESS, political fervor hits the South Side, and the Gallaghers take justice into their own hands. Frank (Macy) sees financial opportunity in campaigning and decides to give voice to the underrepresented South Side working man. Fiona (Rossum) tries to build on her success with her apartment building and takes an expensive gamble hoping to catapult herself into the upper echelon. Lip (Jeremy Allen White) distracts himself from the challenges of sobriety by taking in Eddie's niece, Xan (Amirah Johnson). Ian (Cameron Monaghan) faces the consequences of his crimes as the Gay Jesus movement takes a destructive turn. Debbie (Emma Kenney) fights for equal pay and combats harassment; and her efforts lead her to an unexpected realization. Carl (Ethan Cutkosky) sets his sights on West Point and prepares himself for cadet life. Liam (Christian Isaiah) must develop a new skillset to survive outside of his cushy private school walls.

Shameless season 9 will be the show’s longest one yet — plus we have all sorts of new details about the show.

Showtime is super-sizing the long-running comedy series for its next round to 14 episodes, two more than the show’s usual 12.

But there’s a catch: Shameless also will run in two parts for the first time, with one half airing this fall (debuting Sept. 9) and the other launching in early 2019 (debuting Jan. 20).

REGARDING EMMY ROSSUM AND SHAMELESS
Statement From SHAMELESS executive producer and showrunner John Wells: “Emmy Rossum will forever be part of the Shameless family. She has been integral to the show’s success, from her wonderful portrayal of Fiona to her leadership role on set, as well as directing multiple episodes of the series. We are hard at work now creating a season nine finale for Shameless which we hope will provide a Gallagher-worthy sendoff for Fiona that honors the great work Emmy has done. It is always bittersweet when an ensemble member decides to move out of the proverbial house, but our door will always remain open for Fiona to return home for a visit, or to move back in. I look forward to continuing the stories of this wildly unpredictable family and all of us on Shameless will miss Emmy and her wonderful Fiona.”

Statement from Showtime Networks President of Programming Gary Levine: “We were saddened when Emmy Rossum let us know that the upcoming ninth season of Shameless would be her last. But we are filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude for Emmy’s inspired work on our series, of course in front of the camera but also behind it. Fiona Gallagher will always be one of Showtime’s iconic characters, and we applaud Emmy for bringing this character to life in such a natural, touching and fearless performance. On behalf of everyone at Showtime and her millions of fans, we thank you Emmy!”

Statement From Warner Bros. Television: “For eight years and more than 100 episodes, Emmy Rossum has delivered a deeply honest, authentic and unflinching portrayal of Fiona Gallagher, one of television’s great characters. We wish her all the best as she explores the next chapter in her career. But before that, we are excited for fans of Shameless to see Emmy and the entire ensemble cast continue the adventures of the Gallagher family in the show’s upcoming ninth season.”