Shameless

One of the middle Gallagher children, Debbie is helpful, sensitive, and has a good heart. She longs for familial stability and will go to great lengths to achieve it, often with disastrous results.

Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of a large brood of smart, spirited, independent kids who without him would be... perhaps better off. A hopeless addict and troublemaker, when Frank isn't at the bar spending what little money he has, he's usually passed out on the floor. Frank is constantly scheming on how to beat the system and support his addictions, and he thinks nothing of throwing his kids, or anyone else, under a bus to do so.

Although Monica was not exactly a good person, it has been shown that she always means well for her family. Due to her bipolar disorder and her addiction to drugs and alcohol, she is often unable to control herself, but at least tries to do what she thinks will benefit the Gallaghers. She also has a habit of portraying herself as the victim of her and Frank's disputes when she usually instigates them.

Fiona is in the difficult position of being the oldest of the Gallagher children, so most of the responsibility and child-rearing falls on her young shoulders. This young woman takes it all in stride -- she's clearly been doing it for a long time. Fiona is headstrong and sure of herself in most situations, but she has a wild streak and is often her own worst enemy.

Short for Phillip, Lip is the second Gallagher child and by far the smartest. He is a straight A student and seems destined for big things. That is, if being a Gallagher with a penchant for breaking hearts and getting in trouble doesn't derail him first.

As if being a middle Gallagher child wasn't enough, Ian is the most like his mother, which is not necessarily a good thing. He is also gay and definitely enjoys the benefits of being a cute young ginger.

Carl is the third youngest Gallagher child, and is basically nothing but trouble. He's headed down a dangerous path with a destructive streak a mile wide. But Carl remains a Gallagher, with a particular loyalty to his father.

The youngest Gallagher child might not look like his family, but he's very much a Gallagher. He has been brought up almost entirely by Fiona and the rest of his siblings.

Repeatedly in and out of incarceration with no idea how to make a living at anything that's legal, Mickey Milkovich seems destined for a hard life. His attraction to Ian is both an awkward burden and a saving grace for this otherwise damaged young man.

Mandy Milkovich, Mickey's sister, is from the only family in the neighborhood worse off than the Gallaghers. She's Ian's friend, but her true love is Lip. Too bad Lip doesn't really see her as serious girlfriend material.

The Gallaghers' neighbor, the sassy, sexy Veronica has always been willing to lend a hand or an ear, or whatever the Gallaghers need. Her rock solid relationship with her man Kev is a shining example to all the Gallaghers.

Kev is the owner of the neighborhood bar with his wife, Veronica, and the Gallaghers' next door neighbor. He's a good guy who's willing to give Frank drinks on credit and help anyone in need. Kev isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he makes up for it with his big... heart.

Terrance "Terry" Milkovich was the father of four sons and one daughter with his wife and an illegitimate daughter with another woman. He is known to have escaped arrest numerous times, which caused Frank to go for him an alibi on suspicion of a crime. He's the father of Mickey and Zachary and Mandy.

Mickey and Mandy's younger brother Zachary. Zachary is extremely controlling and possessive over Kayden and he's obsessed with her but he's abusive. He goes phyco whenever she even mentions breaking up with him and he hates her family but they hate him as well. He doesn't like her talking to other people and he's very touchy and forceful.