Unusual for a television show, creator John Wells has a very strict policy of no scripts allowed on-set. The actors and actresses have to know their lines by heart.
Steve Howey, who plays Kev, spent the entirety of season three recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon.
John Wells warned writers and actors that this was not a "redemption" story and that while there would be some positive storylines, that they should look elsewhere if they wanted to work on something more uplifting and positive.
A unique show trademark is the main character breaking the fourth wall at the episodes' beginnings, inquiring as to why the viewer supposedly did not view the previous episode, before recap flashbacks are shown (with unaired scenes).
This is an American remake of an English series, Shameless (2004). The UK counterpart (same title) is set on the Chatsworth council estate, a fictional borough in Manchester. It originally ran from 2004 to 2013 for eleven seasons, and 139 episodes.