Shameless: 5 Most Likeable Characters (& 5 Fans Can’t Stand)

Showtime’s Shameless has been one of the most consistent series’ in the past decade or so, providing fans with ample entertainment, thanks to some very good storylines and really addictive characters. While the show is based on a hit UK comedy series (named the same), there are aspects of it that are totally original and different.

The Gallaghers are one big family and they live on the south side of Chicago, with their parents being drunks and addicts. They struggle to deal with their daily lives, which leads to interesting events in the lives of different characters. Here are the five most likeable characters from the critically acclaimed show and five characters fans cannot stand.

10 Like: Fiona Gallagher

Essentially the mother of all The Gallagher children, Fiona literally gave her life for her family, even though she had no obligations to do so. She loved every one of her siblings so much that she never let them feel alone, in one of the toughest places one could ever wish to grow up in.

Towards the eighth and ninth season, Fiona finally started taking her professional life seriously, although her personal life was in tatters. She deserved to get out of the south side of Chicago.

9 Can’t Stand: Frank Gallagher

Well, what to say about Frank Gallagher. He is one of the protagonists of the series and one of the most dysfunctional characters one could ever come across. In his words, he is a good drinker because whenever he is drunk, he is happy and careless.

He is manipulative and always looking for opportunities to con people. He is the worst dad ever and one could say he likes the crazy life. He is very unpredictable, as well.

8 Like: Carl Gallagher

Carl Gallagher is one of those rare children, who seem to love destruction and thrill attached to it. He is homicidal and yet, very enjoyable to watch, thanks to the incredibly light storylines he is given.

There is not a point in his life when Carl stopped and thought about something; he just says what he sees and decides to do whatever it is he wants to do. Throughout the series, it has been brilliant to watch Carl grow up.

7 Can’t Stand: Peggy Gallagher

Frank’s mother, Peggy Gallagher is the real culprit behind all this mess. She is manipulative, sadistic, and always looking for ways to con people. She never really cared about Frank and while raising him, she made sure to pass on all of her traits to him.

Even though Peggy was really old when the fans got to meet her, pretty much anyone could have figured out what a mess she would have been in her younger years.

6 Like: Ian Gallagher

Ian is a strange one to judge because he has inherited the bipolar disorder from his mother and while he has done some bad things in his life, he is very sweet, helpful, and always willing to do the right thing.

When he is not on his meds, he is a very different character but whenever he has his moods under control, Ian is easily likeable. His relationship with Mickey is honestly refreshing to watch. He also has some decent one-liners.

5 Can’t Stand: Robbie Pratt

The living and breathing example of Fiona’s messed up personal life, Robbie Pratt was the brother of Mike, who was the boyfriend of Fiona, for a while, before she decided to have an affair with Robbie.

Even though Fiona knew he was an addict, it didn’t stop her from getting close to him. Robbie never really cared and it’s always the case with drug addicts. He just wanted to ruin Fiona’s almost perfect life and he succeeded, to some extent.

4 Like: Lip Gallagher

One of the most arrogant people one could ever come across, Lip is the smartest among the Gallagher household. He is, sometimes, too smart for his own liking as he has played a hand in ruining his entire future.

He could have easily had the life he wanted but his south side traits got the better of him. He became an alcoholic, but because of the strong person he is, he managed to fight his way out of it. Now, he is a loving father.

3 Can’t Stand: Monica Gallagher

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Monica was the genetic mother of all The Gallagher children, although she never grew up and acted like an adult, just like her husband Frank.

She went on to become an addict and an absent mother, who literally left all the burden with her oldest daughter Fiona. She could have gotten her act straight but she didn’t and it almost ruined Fiona’s life. She didn’t care, though.

2 Like: Kevin Ball

Undoubtedly the funniest character in the series, Kevin Ball is stunningly easy to watch. The fans could literally watch him all day because his character is as light-hearted as they come. He could make a tremendously serious situation feel like nothing.

It’s just that the way he says and does things that make him such a fan favorite. Kevin’s relationship with Veronica is one of the best things about the show.

1 Can’t Stand: Karen Jackson

Karen Jackson is absolutely detestable. She is the definition of a person who only cares about herself and the worst thing about her is the fact that she pretends to care.

She almost ruined Lip’s life by manipulating him every step of the way and if that wasn’t enough for her, she also made her mother’s life very difficult, although Sheila wasn’t someone who would complain. Karen was very complex, to say the least, and utterly unpredictable.

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