News | Entertainment
26 Jan 2026 9:02
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Emma Kenney claims the set of 'Shameless' was more "positive" after Emmy Rossum left

    The 22-year-old actress admitted it was "weird at first" when her co-star quit her role as Fiona Gallagher in 2019 after nine seasons, but also found it a relief because the 35-year-old star's bad moods had had a negative impact on everyone working on the show and left her feeling "anxious" every day because she didn't know what to expect when she got to work.


    Speaking on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast, Emma - who played Fiona's younger sister Debbie - said: "It was weird at first for sure but it also - the set became more of a positive place, I'm not gonna lie.

    "I remember pre-[Emmy] leaving, I'd go to set some days and I'd be very anxious about having a scene with her because if she had a bad day, she made it a bad day for everybody."

    But despite their difficulties, Emma insisted she still has "a lot of love for Emmy" - who gave birth to her and husband Sam Esmail's daughter in May - and wishes her well, even though they haven't spoken since the 'Phantom of the Opera' actress quit the show.

    She added: "We haven't spoken in years. But that's OK. ... I hope she finds her happiness. I heard she had a baby and that's beautiful. I'm sure she's going to be a lovely mother."

    The actress, who was only 11 when the show started, had a "sister relationship" with Emmy when they worked together, though she noted it was "in good and bad ways".

    And while she looked to the older star for guidance and often found her a "good influence", there were other times when she would receive "not the best advice."

    She added: "Growing up I definitely took a note from - not just her in particular - but people and things that I want to carry on in my life and things I do not want to carry on in my life."

    Emma felt there was a sense of competition between her and Emmy, though she was unsure whether it came from the actress or others on the show.

    She added: "But I know I wasn't creating it."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     23 Jan: Oscars 2026: Sinners break record with nominations, Jacob Elordi and Rose Byrne receive nods
     23 Jan: Amanda Seyfried thinks winning an Oscar "isn't necessary" for career success
     23 Jan: Karol G and Feid have reportedly split
     23 Jan: Summer House stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula have split
     23 Jan: Emeli Sande and her fiancee Yoana Karemova have split
     23 Jan: Colleen Hoover is cancer-free
     23 Jan: Nicole Kidman reportedly feels "refreshed and optimistic" as her divorce from Keith Urban is behind her
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The New Zealand women's hockey team have lost 2-1 to the United States in the final of their international tournament in Dunedin - after also losing to them earlier in the week More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    US copied Iran's Shahed drones — now they are deployed in the Middle East More...



     Today's News

    Cricket:
    India have humbled New Zealand at Guwahati by eight wickets, taking an unassailable 3-nil lead in the five-match T20 series 8:07

    International:
    Could you be working on unrealistic life goals? 7:57

    Politics:
    A Christchurch company director will be sentenced in May - after pleading guilty to gambling offences linked to New Zealand's largest-ever illegal lottery 7:57

    Law and Order:
    A man's appearing in court - after a kidnapping incident in Blenheim over the weekend 7:37

    Motorsports:
    Hayden Paddon has finished sixth in his class and 11th overall at Monte Carlo, the opening event of the World Rally Championship 7:37

    Politics:
    Concerns the Government is putting child safety at risk, by letting Gloriavale's school remain open 7:27

    Politics:
    Gloriavale will stay open while the process for shutting it down goes through the courts, but questions remain over what happens to the kids if it's closed for good 7:27

    Living & Travel:
    Prime Minister Chris Luxon joined the Mount Maunganui community last night, paying tribute to those presumed dead in Thursday's slip 6:27

    Hockey:
    The New Zealand women's hockey team have lost 2-1 to the United States in the final of their international tournament in Dunedin - after also losing to them earlier in the week 4:47

    Accident and Emergency:
    A determination from emergency services to continue the recovery at Mount Maunganui as soon as possible 4:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd