In December 2009, Rossum joined the cast of the Showtime dramedy series "Shameless", based on the British series of the same title. The series co-stars William H. Macy. Rossum plays the oldest sister of a large, motherless family, functioning as a guardian/surrogate mother to her five younger siblings. The series has received consistent acclaim, with Rossum's performance being universally praised. She made her directorial debut with episode four of season seven, "I Am a Storm." In December 2016, Rossum was in a contract dispute with the show's producers over her desire for a salary equal to that of co-star Macy and back pay for the differential over seven seasons, which was resolved later that month. Following this news, "Shameless" was renewed for its eighth season beginning production in 2017. In August 2018, Rossum announced her departure from "Shameless" after nine seasons.