Emmy Rossum, who played Fiona Gallagher on "Shameless," opted to leave the show after nine seasons. The show did go on for two more seasons without the bold and feisty Fiona, but viewers were stunned and crushed when she quit, wondering what the true cause was.

Co-star Steve Howey tweeted after the series finale aired about how much Rossum was missed during the last two seasons. He called her the show's "matriarch" and "one of the pillars that held up the foundation."

Rossum departed "Shameless" with respect, thanks, and love. In August 2018, Emmy said on social media that the show "nurtured [her] and made [her] feel safe enough to stretch and grow creatively," leading her to pursue other creative endeavors.