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This page is about the original UK version of Shameless. For the US remake, see Season 1.

The first series of Shameless consisted of 7 episodes which aired weekly on Tuesday nights at 10pm from 13 January 2004. The show centers around the Gallagher family, Frank, Fiona, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl and Liam, as well as the other residents on Chatsworth Council Estate near Manchester. The main story line followed the tumultous love match of Fiona Gallagher and Steve McBride. In April 2005, the series won the Best Drama Series category at the British Academy Television Awards. It was also nominated for 'Best British Drama' at the 'National Television Awards 2007', but lost out to Doctor Who.

Overview[]

The series opens on Phillip Gallagher, also known as Lip, arriving at the home of Karen and her mother Sheila Jackson to help Karen with her homework. Karen pays him with oral sex under the table, with her mother in the next room. The viewer is also introduced to Sheila's many medical illnesses, such as agoraphobia. Lip is later shown at home, where he is shocked to find a folder full of gay porn belonging to his brother Ian Gallagher.

The major story of the series however follows the meeting and relationship of Fiona Gallagher and Steve McBride. They met when Fiona has her bag snatched while at a night club, Steve who later reveals he had been trying to summon the courage to speak to her for a while tries to retrieve her bag without success. Their relationship continues with a whirlwind of problems from Fiona's family, the Gallaghers, to Tony, the local Police Officer who's in love with Fiona and Steve's questionable profession. Particular problems arrise from Steve's feelings on how Fiona must shoulder all responsibly for her brother's and sister and her waste of space, alcoholic father Frank.

Lip and Ian have to work on the fallout of Lip finding out Ian is gay, worsened by Ian's relationship with married corner shop owner Kash Karib.

Frank finds a golden opertunity in newly single Sheila Jackson, a woman full of psychological problems yet plenty of money from Sickness Benefit. They form an unlikely relationship only for an affair to start between Frank and Karen, Sheila's teenage daughter and Lip's new girlfriend. Complicated when Steve finds out Frank is having sex with his own son's girlfriend.

And Frank's many debts begin to catch up with him after some interferiance from the children's run away mother Monica, who later appears with her lesbian lover Norma in tow!

Episodes[]

Title Writer(s) Director(s) Airdate #
Meet the Gallaghers Writer: Paul Abbott Director: Mark Mylod January 13, 2004 #101
First episode. Fiona meets Steve McBride on a night out and they immediately fall for each other, Lip discovers Ian's affair with Kash.


We're Going to the Moon Writer: Paul Abbott Director: Jonny Campbell January 20, 2004 #102
Frank goes missing and everyone panics when they realize he's missing his giro day, something he's never do by choice. Agoraphobic Sheila Jackson gets a new man.


We're Getting Married Writer: Daniel Brocklehurst Director: Jonny Campbell January 27, 2004 #103
Kev drunkenly proposes to Veronica, but it is revealed he is already married. Mandy Maguire wants Ian, but he doesn't want to tell her he's gay which results in a confrontation between Ian and the Maguire's.


Abduction Writer: Paul Abbott Director: Mark Mylod February 3, 2004 #104
Debbie steals a baby which results in a panic in Chatsworth, so the Gallagher's must come up with a master plan to return the kid without bringing attention to the family.


Affairs Writer: Carmel Morgan Director: Mark Mylod February 10, 2004 #105
It's the school's parents evening and Frank is nowhere to be seen. Frank's relationship with his girlfriend's daughter and his son's girlfriend, Karen, is discovered and Yvonne discovers her husband's relationship with Ian.


Monica Comes Home (1) Writer: Paul Abbott Director: Dearbhla Walsh February 17, 2004 #106
The debt collectors are after Frank after they find out his current address and his run-away wife, Monica returns to the Chatsworth Estate with girlfriend Norma in tow.


Dead (2) Writer: Paul Abbott Director: Dearbhla Walsh February 24, 2004 #107
Frank fakes his own death to escape the Debt Collectors, Steve is arrested and Sheila makes it outside.


Cast[]

Main cast[]

Secondary cast[]

Frank's Intro Speech[]

"Now nobody's saying that Chatsworth Estate is the Garden of Eden, at least I don't think they are. But it's been a good home to us. To me, Frank Gallagher and me kids, who I'm proud of cos every single one of them reminds me a little of me. They can all think for themselves which they've me to thank for. Fiona, who's a big help, massive help. Lip, who's a bit of a gobshite which is why nobody calls him Phillip anymore. Ian, lot like his mam, which is handy for the others cos she's disappeared into thin air, and good luck to her. Carl, we daren't let him grow his hair. One, it stands on end and makes him look like Toyah, two, nits love him. Debbie! Sent by God, total angel. You've to check your change but she'll go miles out of her way to do you a favour. Plus Liam, little rock'n'roller, wanna be a star, once we've got the fits under control. There's three things vital to a half-decent community: Space - You need wide open spaced where everyone goes mental, and neighbours, you know, fantastic neighbours. Kev and Veronica! Lend you anything, well,... not anything. But all of them, to a man, know first and foremost one of the most vital necessities in this life is the know how to throw a party!"

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