The following article contains discussions of illness and suicide.
With its massive main cast, it’s unsurprising that Shameless also featured a large variety of supporting characters throughout, with many having a significant impact, especially Bianca Samson. Premiering in 2011, Shameless ran for 11 seasons and revolved around the dysfunctional, lower-class Gallagher family comprised of alcoholic patriarch Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) and his six children. The show walked a fine line between dark comedy and tackling serious, devastating issues like disease and addiction.
Though the Gallagher family were the stars of the show, Shameless‘ various supporting characters helped make the series as beloved as it is. The Gallaghers’ dysfunction certainly extends to their romantic relationships, as Frank and his kids have a seemingly revolving door of partners. Most of these relationships are doomed from the start, but a rare few are able to puncture the Gallaghers’ gritty shells and affect them in ways they never thought possible. One of those characters was Bianca Samson, whose brief time on Shameless made a great impact on not only Frank, but the series as a whole.
Bianca Took Her Own Life After Being Diagnosed With Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer In Shameless Season 5
She Had An Intense Romantic Relationship With Frank In Her Final Days
Bojana Novakovic’s Bianca Samson first appeared in Shameless season 5, episode 8, “Uncle Karl,” when she was introduced as a doctor who attended to Frank after he was shot by Sammi in the arm. After walking away from Frank after dealing with his wound, she reveals to him that she is dying of pancreatic cancer, and decides to live her life to the fullest, which Frank obliges her. The two form a romantic relationship over her remaining moments, and things between them become increasingly more erratic as time goes on.
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Shameless’ Gallagher Family Tree Explained
The Gallagher family was already quite large when Shameless began. Here is the full family tree of the troublemaking Gallagher clan over 11 seasons.
In season 5, episode 12, “Love Songs (In the Key of Gallagher),” Bianca’s journey on Shameless comes to an end. With her cancer progressing, she decides to take her fate into her own hands, walking into the ocean and never returning, leaving Frank a note in the process. She thanked him for his care of her during their time together and also left him another note to give to her family. This affected Frank heavily during Shameless, particularly in season 6 where his behavior is changed, and he became more concerned with Fiona’s well-being.
Where You’ve Seen Bianca Actress Bojana Novakovic Before
This Australian Actress Has Appeared In Multiple Shows And Movies
Shameless wasn’t the first project Bojana Novakovic was cast in during her career. In fact, she first started acting in 1994, spending a lot of time working on various Australian TV shows. One of her first American roles was in the 2008 film, Seven Pounds, starring Will Smith. After that, Novakovic appeared in several horror films, including Drag Me To Hell, and Devil. She also had a few minor roles in a handful of Margot Robbie movies, like I, Tonya, and Birds of Prey.
Bojana Novakovic was actually born in Serbia, but moved to Australia when she was seven years old.
However, Novakovic is most known for her role as NYPD detective Lizzy Needham in the procedural drama, Instinct, costarring Alan Cumming. The series ran for two seasons and a total of 24 episodes, with Novakovic appearing in every one. Her most recent work was in two episodes of Chicago P.D as Josephine Petrovic. Her career has progressed steadily after her brief but significant role in Shameless, as Bojana Novakovic has a few upcoming projects in production, with the J-horror film, Bloat, currently in post.
Shameless is a Black Comedy, Family Drama created by Paul Abbott and starring William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, and Justin Chatwin. The premise follows the Gallagher family and their closest friends as they deal with a not-so-helpful father, Frank Gallagher. His children each find their own path, growing into their own flawed people without much guidance or help from the family patriarch.
- Cast
- William H. Macy , Jeremy Allen White , Justin Chatwin , Ethan Cutkosky , Joan Cusack , Emmy Rossum , Emma Kenney , Cameron Monaghan , Noel Fisher , Steve Howey , Shanola Hampton
- Character(s)
- Liam Gallagher , Shane Maguire , Mimi Maguire , Mickey Maguire , Jamie Maguire , Paddy Maguire , Kelly-Marie Ball , Uncredited , Chesney Karib , Billy Tutton , Avril Powell , Letitia Powell , Patty Croker , Lillian Tyler , Debbie Gallagher , Karen Maguire , Ian Gallagher , Carl Gallagher , Fiona Gallagher , Veronica Fisher , Sheila Jackson , Kash Karib
- Release Date
- January 9, 2011
- Seasons
- 11
- Network
- Channel 4
- Writers
- Paul Abbott
- Directors
- John Wells
- Showrunner
- John Wells
- Producers
- Charles Pattinson , Rob Glassborow , Claire Ingham , Michelle Frances , Johann Knobel , Jean Holdsworth , Tom Higgins , Tim Whitby , Susan Dunn , Paul Abbott , David Threlfall , Nick Goding , Matt Jones , Jonathan Leather , George Faber , Emma Burge , Ed McCardie , Diana Barton
