Channel 4 have releases details of the sixth sereies of Shameless!

The Gallaghers, The Maguires, and all the lawless, loveable characters of the Chatsworth Estate return for 16 new and unpredictable episodes for 2009.

This series promises benefit fraud, brothels, stints in jail and stings gone wrong, with fake suicides, cold turkey, joyriding, lesbian romps, lingerie parties, revenge and a trip to the seaside to boot – all life-affirming events in the world of this Manchester estate.

Debbie (Rebecca Ryan) hits sweet sixteen and the Gallaghers are going to celebrate the only way they know how – a party! Frank (David Threlfall) suffers post natal depression with baby number nine – while Monica (Annabel Apsion) is busy re-decorating the house and regaining her womanhood. Micky Maguire (Ciaran Griffiths) goes to college and discovers a talent for porn, plus his ‘Madchester’ tours in his pink limo get him and brother Shane (Nicky Evans) into trouble. Liam’s (Johnny Bennett) talents continue to burst out when school discovers his leaning towards genius.

New this series, there’s feisty auxiliary nurse Maxine (Joanna Higson), who after seducing Carl (Elliott Tittensor) gets her feet firmly under the Gallagher’s table when she becomes best mates and clubbing partner with Debbie, and Mandy (Samantha Siddall) meets a charismatic new love interest Joe (Ben Batt).

Some sinister dealings and the breakdown of family on the Chatsworth Estate sets a darker tone to series six. The highly un-orthodox yet extremely tightly knit Gallagher family is torn apart, while the Maguires’ past deeds finally come back to haunt them. Even Yvonne (Kelli Hollis) has some serious explaining to do when an unexpected visitor turns up. How will they all cope?

Cracks appear in Karen (Rebecca Atkinson) and Jamie’s (Aaron McCusker) marriage and Paddy Maguire (Sean Gilder) discovers that temptation comes in various forms. Ian (Gerard Kearns) questions if Chatsworth is the place for him and introduces a strange newcomer to the estate; whilst Norma (Dystin Johnston) makes a grim discovery while refurbishing The Jockey, and a grimmer one, when she goes in search of her own past.  

The show returns in January 2009.