Future Shameless to be halved?

Future seasons of Channel Four’s Shameless could run for shorter episodes due to budget cuts at the terrestrial broadcaster.

The comedy-drama’s fifth season, which aired earlier this year, ran for 16 episodes and the sixth, expected to hit screens early next year, is expected to match that. However, any further seasons could be cut by as much as half.

According to the Manchester Evening News the seventh season of the show, which would air in 2010, will only have eight episodes.

“There will be a series seven, but we only know there’ll be eight episodes instead of 16 because of the credit crunch – but hopefully that might change. There are discussions at the highest level about it.” – Shameless star David Threlfall

A spokesperson for Channel Four couldn’t confirm the length of season seven stating “Budgets for that year are still under negotiation.”