Shameless star Christian Isaiah, who is well-known for his role of Liam Gallagher, talks to us a bit about his acting career and what it’s like being on Shameless. The 11-year-old first donned the role in season 8, being the third person to play Liam, the youngest member of the Gallagher family. Prior to Shameless, he began acting at the age of 4 and has been credited in multiple shows and films.

 

You’ve been acting since a very young age. When and why did you decide to start acting? 

I would see kids on Disney channel and my favorite show was Shake It Up and I wanted to do what they were doing.  My mom said I was a character and she was very supportive and when she retired from the Navy she said let’s move to Hollywood and give it a try.

 

How do you juggle school and acting? 

I attend private school and when I am on set working my teacher sends work assignments to my set teacher and that’s how I keep up with my class.

 

What attracted you to playing your Shameless character, Liam? 

Liam is smart and reminded me of myself.

You’ve been on the show for 2 years now. What’s been one of your favorite on-screen and off-screen moments?

On screen the scene when we had the sleep over at the rich kids house (the shower scene) and when he came to the Gallagher house.  We jumped all over the couch and shook up soda all over the place.  That was cool because can’t jump on the sofa at home.

Off camera there was a time when William H Macy gave me a Fart Gun( a toy that makes fart noises) and I would put the toy under the directors chair and he didn’t know. It was hilarious, everybody laughed.

As one one of the youngest members of the cast, what is it like working with the rest of the Shameless cast? 

It is so awesome they are very nice and we have fun on set.  They really treat me like the little brother of the family, and I learn a lot from them.

 

If Liam were to suddenly come into a very large sum of money, what would he do with it? 

Liam would probably buy some property and have a legit lemonade business.  I can see him definitely starting a business.

If you could play any other character in the show, young or old, who would you pick? 

I like Ethan’s character Carl. He gets into some crazy stuff.

If you could play any character in any show or movie, who would it be? 

That’s a tough one.  A marvel character.  Those movies are so awesome.  Also any movie as a young Chadwick Boseman or maybe a young Idris Elba as a young James Bond, in training. LOL!!!!

 

Do you have any exciting upcoming films or shows we should look out for?  

Yes, 17 Bridges. I play a young version of Chadwick Boseman.  It comes out in July 2019.

 

Do you have any advice for young kids who want to start acting?

Believe you can do anything you put your mind to and always put in the work. Dedication and hard work pays off.

 

 

Thank you Christian Isaiah for having a chat with us! 

 Thanks for reading, and be sure to catch the Shameless season 9 Finale on Sunday  at 9 pm, on Showtime. 

 

Image sources: Marc Cartwright, IMDB, Courtesy of Showtime.