Frank Gallagher UK: A Misunderstood Genius?
Frank Gallagher UK: is this guy a misunderstood genius?
The patriarch of the Gallagher family, whose adventures are shown in the fortunate British show Shameless is at the moment of the most controversial characters of UK television.
While some actors, such as the First Dates staff, tend to just disappear from the spotlights, others keep their places in the audience’s heart. This is what happened to Frank Gallagher UK, so it is only fair to investigate into this man’s life and find out if he is more than an adorable, yet irreverent, alcoholic.
Who Plays Frank Gallagher UK?
The real face of the impudent and cheerful Frank Gallagher is David Threlfall. The English stage, film and television actor and director also portrayed comedian Tommy Cooper in the television film entitled Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, not Like This. He also starred, alongside Jude Law, in the thriller Black Sea (2014).
Source/ Soap Spoiler
Who Is Frank Gallagher UK?
Vernon Francis “Frank” Gallagher (born 12th March 1960, age 52) is the main protagonist of the UK Comedy Shameless. He appeared in the show since season 1, for a total of 136 episodes.
Although Frank frequently quotes Shakespeare, the Bible and relevant international current events, he also loves to use poetry and soliloquy to express his feelings and support his point of view.
From Series 9 of the show, Frank Gallagher UK is the only original member of this family left, after his son Carl leaves to join the police. This is a significant change in the show, highlighted by the new, darker parka that Frank wears.
“People say the children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way. But after you’ve had eight of your own, you realise that’s a load of b*llocks. Darwin had the right idea; just leave the buggers to fend for themselves.”
Source/ Daily Mail
What Kind Of Person Is Frank?
Frank is always portrayed with his khaki green Parka coat. In series 9 (episode 8) we learn that he stole that coat off a man on a bus.
Frank was wearing the same coat when his oldest daughter Fiona was conceived, and even when she was born.
Soon, he revealed that the coat is an integral part of his identity. This is a little but essential details, which highlight the complexity of this character, which is far smarter and more profound than it looks like.
Source/ The Custard TV
Frank Gallagher UK Key Life Event
Frank was born in 1960 to Neville (John Woodvine) and Sarah Gallagher (we never see her, she is only mentioned a few times). He lost his mother when he was only 12 years old.
He met Monica Dallimore (Annabelle Apsion) and, in 1976, Frank conceived his oldest child with Monica’s mother. Fiona and Frank’s oldest child, Fiona (Anne-Marie Duff), was born a few years later, in 1983, followed by Phillip (Jody Latham), his oldest son, 1988.
Between 1989 and 1998 Frank has his other children (Ian, Debbie, Carl and Liam). However, in 2000, Monica, who suffers from postnatal depression, leaves Frank. One year later, he will move to Chatsworth and begin to spend most of his time drinking.
What Happened After He Moved to Chatsworth?
In 2004, Frank meets Sheila Jackson (Maggie O’Neill). In the same year, she gives birth to Nigel and Delia, Frank’s seventh and eights child. Frank marries Sheila in 2006 but one year later Monica returns and seduces Frank, who get back together with her.
In 2009, after giving birth to his ninth child, Monica leaves Frank once again. After two years, in 2011, Frank tries to marry Libby Crocker (Pauline McLynn), but Monica ruins the ceremony.
2012 was a very difficult year for Frank. In fact, this was when he ended up trapped underground after a robbery and spent a few days with little food and water before being rescued.
Finally, in 2012, Frank finds a job but loses it after a while. His last son Ben Gallagher was born in the same year, and he finally makes amends with Fiona, Lip and Carl.
Source/ The Stage
Frank’s Injuries
Frank Gallagher UK has been assaulted by almost all the other characters of the series. Besides, he tried to steal paint by climbing over a fence, but he fell and injured his leg. In another episode, he bashed his head while trying to putting out a fire, and knocked him out cold.
Who Are the Gallagher Family Members?
His character is maybe one of the most controversial ones of the series. In fact, he is an unemployed alcoholic. He was married to Monica, with whom he has six children, including Lip Gallagher (Jody Latham) and Ian Gallagher (Gerard Kearns). He also has two grandchildren, who are Lip’s daughter: Katie Maguire and an unnamed child of Fiona’s (Anne-Marie Duff).
However, during one of his drunken rants, Frank implied that he may have gotten several girls pregnant in school. In other words, it is currently unclear how many children Frank Gallagher UK has.
Source/ Screen Rant
Is Frank A Good Man?
Allegedly, Frank spiralled into alcoholism shortly after Monica left him in 2001, leaving him and his oldest daughter Fiona with all their responsibilities.
As he has mentioned many times, Frank was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment several times in his youth. However, he has never mentioned the reasons why he has been incarcerated in Strangeways Prison. Nevertheless, he has physically assaulted various people, including his own children.
Frank Gallagher UK has also taken many illegal drugs, especially ecstasy. He even sold drugs in an ice cream van (Episode 405).
Moreover, Frank has stolen bicycles, beverages, and even a little hammer from the bell in The Jockey.
When his oldest sons, Ian and Lip, finished school and left home, he continued to claim child benefits.
Source/ Screen Rant
Why Is Frank Gallagher UK A Misunderstood Genius?
Despite his frequent drunken ramblings, Frank usually come across as being well-educated owing to each of the issues he raises during his conversations with any cast member.
When his first wife Monica left him for Norma Starkey, Frank’s alcoholism intensified, and he left his younger children in the care of Fiona to move in with Sheila. Nevertheless, Frank has always shown signs of loving his children. For example, he often offers good advice.
In one of the episodes, Frank tries a new drug which renders him completely sober. This is when he appears more reflective and intelligent as ever, at the point that he questions why Sheila would wish to marry a mess like him.
“So what if I’m not an astronaut, or the Prime Minister, or a football player. I am Vernon Francis Gallagher. I came, I saw, I drank the f*cking lot.”
Source/ Pinterest
Why Is Frank Gallagher UK Such A Problematic Man?
We soon understand that Frank’s father did not treat his soon kindly when he was growing up. The man is shown in several episodes while treating his son in a condescending and abrasive manner, although he then shows sympathy towards Sheila and her twins.
“I promise I’ll always be there for you. As long as I’m collecting your benefits.”
Do Frank’s Children Love Him?
In early series, Frank Gallagher UK is portrayed as a drunken bully. His children Lip and Ian even attacked him physically on a few occasions. While the series progresses, the family starts showing warmer feelings towards Frank. In series 7, the man finally softened towards Liam, when he threatened to commit suicide.
“I’ve fallen in love. And it hurts, like someone’s taken my bollocks, rolled them in chilli sauce and invited them to take up permanent residence in my gut.”
By series 11, Frank lives with his daughter Stella, who is now 6 years old. Although the man seems to be neglectful of his child, she shows caring and thoughtful to him, at the point that she still calls him “Dad”.
“Son, when you have them, little babies, you love them. Even if they’re real mingers. I mean when Ian was born he looked like David Gest.”
Source/ Heat Magazine
Does Frank Gallagher UK Have Any Pets?
In Series 2, we meet Sady, Frank’s dog. Although he tried to kill the dog twice, the puppy always went back to him. One day, when Frank played catch with Sady and throw the ball into the motorway, he went back and bought him a mini alcoholic drink.
The dog lives with Frank and Sheila thought a couple of series, but appears only briefly. At the beginning of Series 4, when the stove was on fire, Frank accidentally shuts the dog in it. Unfortunately, we see a fireman covering his dead body, and we understand that the god is dead.
What About The Other Members Of His Family?
During his childhood, Frank Gallagher UK wanted his mother, Sarah, to be proud of him. She died when he was 12, but Frank wasn’t able to attend her funeral because his father ordered him not too. In fact, Frank holds an intense hatred for his father, and he was rescued from a painful teenage life by his grandmother Nin.
Nin, the grandmother, only appears in the first episode of Series 7. She is always disappointed in Frank, whom she addresses by his first name, Vernon. However, she loves her grandchildren, especially Liam.
Nevertheless, Frank has a close relationship with Auntie Iris, especially during his childhood. He admired her Gypsy lifestyle. Unfortunately, she died in 2009.
Source/ Manchester Evening News
Does Frank Gallagher UK Own A Car?
When Auntie Iris died, she left her caravan to the family, but Frank sold it.
He owns a BMC (British Motor Company) J4, where he has sex with Steve. In series 2, Craig finally gets the car working. In series 4 and 6, Norma lives in it. However, Frank doesn’t care much for the car, and he once damaged it.
Frank also mentioned that once he had a blue Ford Escort van, which was taken by Monica when she left him and the kids for the first time.
Who Are The Other Members Of The Shameless’ Cast?
Many talented actors have featured in this fortunate British show, and have accompanied Frank Gallagher UK along with his misadventures.
For example, Yvonne Karib (Kelli Hollis) and Stan Waterman (Warren Donnelly) are the family’s lovely neighbours, who once offered to foster Frank and Monica’s children to avoid Social Services temporarily taking them into care.
Source/ Manchester Evening News
Who Are The Maguire Family?
Frank Gallagher UK’s family is not the only group of people whose adventures the show focuses on.
Patrick “Paddy” Maguire (Sean Gilder), the patriarch and the head of the Maguire family. This is one of the most feared and respected of the local criminal families. In series 7, his daughter Mandy Maguire (Samantha Siddall) is tragically murdered in an explosion.
Patrick is married to Mimi Tutton (Tina Malone), who is the violent and foul-mouthed matriarch of the family.
Jamie Maguire (Aaron McCusker), is the oldest son of the Maguire family. After serving a ten-year prison sentence for manslaughter, he appeared to be reformed and got a job as a barman. He soon became engaged to his co-worker, Karen Jackson (Rebecca Atkinson).
Source/ Digital Spy
Who Are The Karib Family?
Kash Karib (Chris Bisson) was the husband of Yvonne Karib, and they are the members of the Karib family together with their two children, Chesney and Meena. Kash comes out as homosexual early in the series, when he reveals he has an affair with his employee Ian (Frank Gallagher UK’s son).
After falling into financial difficulties, Kash fakes his own suicide and leaves town in series 4. He returns in series 6, but Chesney knocks him unconscious with a baseball bat, leaving him to die.
What Is The Reason For Shameless’ Success?
We have all watched at least one episode of Shameless, the most famous English black comedy TV series set in Manchester, on the fictional Chatsworth council estate (which looks like one of the worst cities in the UK).
The comedy-drama, partially written by Paul Abbott, is produced by Company Pictures for Channel 4 and aired from 13th January 2004 to 28th May 2013, for a total of 11 different seasons. The series is about the British working-class culture and the misadventures of the Gallagher family.
Source/ Manchester Evening News
What Is The Series’ Critical Reception?
Several episodes of the series’ era accorded critical acclaim by the British media. This includes the newspaper The Sun and Newsnight Review, on BBC Two. The show also won Best Drama Series at the BAFTA TV Awards and Best TV Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards.
The series was also nominated for Best British Drama at the National Television Awards 2007 but lost out to Doctor Who. Nevertheless, it beat Coronation Street to the Best Continuing Drama Award at the Royal Television Awards Society North West Awards in the same year.
Most importantly, the British audience loves all the cast (although Frank Gallagher UK is still one of the most liked), and surely these actors as now making as much as Noel Edmonds’ net worth thanks to their fame.
What is Shameless U.S?
In 2011, the U.S. network Showtime created an American version of the series, also entitled Shameless. The show is set in the South Side of Chicago and also filmed in Los Angeles.
In January 2020, the network renewed the series for its eleventh and final season, which is going to premiere in mid-2020.
Source/ JustWatch
