Yes, it’s another American remake of a popular British show. This time it’s HBO remaking the Channel 4 show Shameless.
This one has been floating around for a while, with first stirrings of a US remake rumor starting way back in 2006. Back then, Woody Harrelson was meant to star and it was going to be developed by Paul Abbot. Nothing ever came of it then, but it looks like things are progressing well now and the show will definitely be getting the go ahead.
One of the most difficult aspects of adapting the show for US viewers is that Shameless is inherently British in it’s humor and plot. Even with The West Wing’s John Wells writing it, it could lose what makes it a gritty representation of modern life. Again, I have to question why they can’t just show the UK original?
Who is redoing Shameless; Show Time or HBO? It’s a little confusing.
Hi Gracila,
back in January 2009 (when I wrote this piece) HBO had struck a deal to remake Shameless for the US audience. Around October 2009 production moved from HBO to Showtime. In April 2010 the series was finally greenlit by Showtime.
Hope that helps
x
Oh and it’s scheduled to start this month on Showtime.