The following is a list of fictional characters from the English comedy-drama Shameless, created by Paul Abbott, which was on Channel 4 between 2004 and 2013. The programme is set on the fictional Chatsworth Estate in suburban Manchester and the surrounding area, and primarily follows the lives of the Gallagher family and the neighbouring Maguire family, and their friends and neighbours in the town's shops and local pub The Jockey. The first series focuses on layabout Frank Gallagher and the lives of his six children, and boyfriend , , Ian, Carl, and , and next-door neighbours, and . When the second series begins, the are introduced, with certain episodes just focusing on their family, and both the Maguire family and Gallagher coming into contact and conflict, with marriage, teenage pregnancies and neighbourhood rivalry. Other characters also take major focus throughout the years after starting as minor characters, such as the . Since the series started, the has split hugely, with many of the Gallagher children departing the show, due to the actors' moving onto other projects.