Emmy Rossum to exit 'Shameless'

American actor Emmy Rossum is leaving comedy series 'Shameless' after season 9.

Rossum, who played Fiona Gallagher since the show's inception is sure the comedy-drama will continue without her. She announced her exit in a long Facebook post.

"I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told. I will always be rooting for my family. Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block," she wrote.

Rossum added, "This business is always an adventure, full of travel and opportunities to tell stories.

Usually as an actor, every few months, you travel to a new place, start a new project, build a new character, learn new rhythms, new inside jokes with your crew, make new friends."

The 31-year-old further wrote that she didn't know she craved the community 'Shameless' gave her until she joined the show.

Talking about her on-screen character, Rossum wrote, "The opportunity to play Fiona has been a gift. There are few characters - female or otherwise - as layered and dynamic. She is a mother lion, fierce, flawed and sexually liberated. She is injured, vulnerable, but will never give up. She is living in an economic depression, but refuses to be depressed."

'Shameless' revolves around the story of Frank Gallagher, who is the head of a working-class family in Chicago. His six children suffer because he is a heavy drinker and therefore, Fiona, the eldest daughter, looks after everyone in the house.

Season nine of 'Shameless' is currently filming and set to debut on Sunday, Sept. 9 with the second half of the expanded season poised to debut in January 2019, reported E! Online.

--ANI