Showtime orders 'Shameless' to series

Another British import is coming to the small screen, and this one stars William H. Macy.

"Shameless" is inspired by executive producer Paul Abbott's ("State of Play") life growing up in a working-class family with 10 children. The U.S. version, which is also executive produced by John Wells ("ER"), follows the Gallagher family in Chicago as they try to survive in today's recession.

Macy plays the alcoholic patriarch; Allison Janney ("The West Wing") plays the mother who has gone AWOL; and Emmy Rossum ("The Phantom of the Opera") plays the oldest daughter who has to parent her younger siblings. The series also stars Justin Chatwin, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Emma Kenney, Cameron Monaghan, Jeremy White and Laura Slade Wiggins. 

-- Maria Elena Fernandez (follow me on Twitter @writerchica)
 

Photo: Cast of "Shameless." Credit: Showtime