In the fourth series of Paul Abbott's Shameless, the Gallaghers return to prove that life is just as usual on the Chatsworth estate, reconfirming their status as Manchester's most dysfunctional family in the process. In this series, Frank (David Threlfall) is sent into a spin when mum Monica (Annabelle Apsion) turns up, claiming to be back for good. Will the house be big enough for her and Sheila (Maggie O'Neill)? In the meantime, Lip (Jody Latham) is juggling with parenting issues, while Ian (Gerard Kearns) is looking for love, Carl (Elliott Tittensor) is busy on a secret crime spree, and Debbie (Rebecca Ryan) decides to interview potential boyfriends. Carol (Marjorie Yates) is still having trouble keeping her legs and mouth shut, and Kash (Chris Bisson) is happy screwing the council. And, just to make things even more interesting, this series will reveal the bizarre connection between Kev, Veronica, Marty, Sue and a Romanian baby! Next door at the Maguires, Jamie (Aaron McCusker) returns after a stint in prison and sparks fly with him and barmaid Karen (Rebecca Atkinson). Then there are his brothers--the not-so-bright Shane (Nicky Evans), and Micky (Claran Griffiths), a wannabe hard man struggling with his own secrets.