'Shameless' season 8 release date, cast news, plot updates: Show to start filming in May for next season

Showtime has ordered an eighth season of "Shameless," and the show is set to start filming in May next year. Additionally, Emmy Rossum has been confirmed to still be part of "Shameless" season 8.

"Shameless" season 7 ended last Dec. 18 with the episode "Requiem for a Slut" where the Gallaghers held a funeral for their matriarch, Monica (Chloe Webb). As inheritance for her children, Monica left bags of meth that Frank (William H. Macy) claims he can sell for $10,000 each. But Fiona (Emmy Rossum) put her lot of meth bags inside Monica's casket to be buried along with her mother.

Variety reports that a day after the season 7 finale aired, Showtime confirmed that "Shameless" will have an eighth season with 12 episodes and that Rossum will be on board to reprise her role.

There was uncertainty with regards to Rossum continuing her stint on the show for season 8 because she was trying to have her pay increased. The dispute was settled just days prior to the season 8 announcement, after a stand-off between Showtime and Warner Bros. TV. In the end, Rossum was granted equal pay with co-star Macy.

After finalizing her contract, Rossum confirmed on her Twitter account that she reprise her role for season 8 of "Shameless."

"Playing Fiona Gallagher has been one of the great privileges of my life. I'm so happy to continue w my SHAMELESS family! Back to work in May!" the post read.

Production for the upcoming season is set to start in May 2017, but there are no announcements yet when "Shameless" season 8 will premiere.

With the Gallaghers ending on a happy note in season 7, fans are wondering what season 8 will entail for Frank and his family. IB Times formulated possible stories that the show may focus on when "Shameless" returns.

Aside from Fiona, the rest of the Gallaghers agreed to Frank selling their inherited bags of meth to gain $10,000 each. But knowing how Frank has been, it is possible that Frank will scam his family out of the sale he's going to make and keep the money for himself.

Fiona also ended season 7 being an apartment building owner. It is expected that season 8 will follow Fiona in another struggling journey as she tries to make money from a new venture, similar to the time when she had the laundromat in season 7.

"Shameless" season 8 is expected to premiere in 2017.