The fate of "Shameless" Season 8 hangs on Emmy Rossum and her decision to reprise Fiona Gallagher. Recent reports revealed that the show might not continue, if Rossum will exit the series over concerns of pay disparity.
Emmy Rossum has reportedly requested a much higher pay if she is to reprise Fiona Gallagher in "Shameless" Season 8. Sources close to the actress said Rossum wants to be paid equally as her co-star William H. Macy, who plays Frank Gallagher.
Likewise, these sources said that Rossum wants to receive what is owed to her from the previous seasons. She reportedly earned less than Macy and wants to be reimbursed. The actress' salary renegotiations came after Macy signed a deal to reprise Frank in "Shameless" Season 8, which granted him a pay raise too.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Emmy Rossum's renegotiation about her pay is putting a hold on the renewal of the show. Showtime and Warner Bros. have yet to comment on these reports. It remains unclear if they have agreed to Rossum's request for pay raise just so they can push through with "Shameless" Season 8.
However, there are also talks that Showtime will still push through with the renewal even without Emmy Rossum. "Shameless" Season 8 will have to continue without Fiona Gallagher. The writers would have to find a proper way to bid goodbye to the character.
Likewise, there have been speculations that Rossum will leave the show with or without a pay raise. This is not the first time that Emmy Rossum has been rumored to exit the show. Speculations that she will not be in "Shameless" Season 8 circulated online, after she said that she is done playing Fiona Gallagher. Rossum has portrayed the character for ten years. Perhaps she realized that it is about time to exit after "Shameless" Season 7.