'Shameless season 8' not the finale, series likely to continue for many years

The Gallagher Family has no intention to waltz away at the end of 'Shameless season 8,' contrary to previous reports that Showtime's hit comedy series is nearing its end. Recently, William H. Macy a.k.a. Frank Gallagher revealed that that show will continue "for four more years so"

The bizarre ending to the seventh season must have planted doubts in the minds of viewers. Unlike previous seasons, most of the Gallagher children are in a surprisingly good space, both financially and emotionally. After bidding their mother goodbye in a bizarre funeral procession, they get on with their day-to-day lives. While Fiona continues to make headway as an entrepreneur, Ian has found his calling, saving lives as an EMT. Lip is working towards a possible return to college, while keeping his alcoholism under check, and Debbie is learning to multi-task as a welder and single mother.

Shameless season 8 spoilers: Gallagher kids on the right path?

Carl has happily embraced a life of military school after giving up on thug life. And finally, Liam, the youngest of the lot, begins his journey in private school courtesy Frank's protests. The season-ending montage also shows Carl and Frank honouring the diseased Monica by working on a piece of graffiti in an alley. Needless to say, it shouldn't come as a surprise if 'Shameless season 8' begins with Frank drowning his sorrow over the death of his beloved wife.

The seventh season also capped off with Frank discovering bags of Grade A methamphetamine in Monica's secret storage room. After handing out each of his children a bag, Frank reiterates that his wife wanted the kids "to be taken care of" since each pound would be worth US$10,000 (AU$13,368). Though Fiona is hell-bent on flushing down the drugs, the rest of the children contemplate selling their mother's parting gift. Later, Fiona is seen tucking two bags of meth (the other one belongs to Liam) in Monica's casket before yelling “F--k you, mom” and punching her lifeless body a few times. The rest of the children, especially Debbie, are likely to sell their respective bags at the start of "Shameless season 8".

Recently, 'Shameless' executive producer John Wells and William H. Macy took the stage to talk about the evolution of Frank's character and the future of the show. “The writers have been great with writing such outrageous things for my character to do. And then every once in a while they plant a little moment of humanity and it keeps people behind Frank’s trajectory. And every once in a while you feel sorry for him and get a glimpse that there’s a person in there, and you’re willing to give him another break.”

Shameless season 8 release date: October, 2017?

Macy also thanked the writers for reinventing Frank with each passing season. “This is the first time I’ve ever done this and I’m certainly not tired of it. I’m Lutheran from Western Maryland -- I read these scripts and I have the same reaction as the audience, ‘that you need therapy.’ I’m just as shocked as everyone else and it’s such a unmitigated joy," said Macy about the Black comedy that is an adaptation of the award-winning British show, via Deadline.

The star of the 1996 Academy Award-winning film "Fargo" also revealed that he would don the hat of director for one of the episodes in the forthcoming season of Shameless. "(It's) a lot of work to direct (an episode)," Macy said, before addressing a question about the show's future. "Shameless is going to run for four more years so. Oh you didn’t know? Keep it to yourself because Showtime doesn’t know yet.”

"Shameless season 8" is expected to begin production in the month of May. If previous seasons are anything to go by, the show should air in the month of October. Last year, Showtime renewed the series for one more season but kept mum about the possibility of future seasons.