‘Shameless’ Star Emmy Rossum Resolves Pay Dispute, Setting Path for Season 8

“Shameless” star Emmy Rossum has resolved her pay dispute, and is going back to work on her hit Showtime series.

After a standoff with the studio, Warner Bros. Television, and the network, Showtime, over pay disparity with her co-star, William H. Macy, the actress announced over Twitter on Wednesday that she was ready to return to the dramedy for Season 8.

Showtime had no comment following Rossum’s tweet, so a renewal for Season 8 has not been made official. But, it’s safe to assume the show has been picked up — why else would Rossum and Macy be negotiating for future seasons? Insiders previously told Variety that the Season 8 renewal was being held up solely because of Rossum’s contract negotiations. Now that her deal is closed, a formal renewal should be announced by the cable network shortly.

Rossum’s contract negotiations were stalled because the actress asked for a higher salary than her co-lead, Macy, after being paid less than him for the seven seasons the show had been on the air. Variety was first to report that Rossum had in fact been offered parity to Macy and that an equal offer had been sitting on the table — but Rossum’s team was asking for more, reportedly to make up for the seasons she was being paid less.

No word on the terms of Rossum’s new deal, and if she is making the same or more than Macy.

Rossum’s request for parity came as the issue of equal pay and gender equality in the workplace has been a prominent conversation, highlighted by public statements from actresses like Patricia Arquette and Jennifer Lawrence.

While reports of Rossum’s contract disputes surfaced, the actress/director stayed mum and did not comment publicly about the matter. Her tweet today marks the first time she’s acknowledged the issue, though she did not directly reference anything about equal pay or gender equality.

As for Macy, TMZ caught him this week and asked him his opinion on Rossum’s pay dispute. He spoke about the equal rights amendment and said, “It’s about f–king time, don’t you think?” Specifically asked about his co-star, he said, “She works as hard as I do. She deserves everything.” With a laugh, he added, “The only thing I’ve got over Emmy Rossum is I’m better looking.”

Warner Bros. TV and Rossum’s reps did not immediately reply to Variety‘s request for comment.

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