The Law & Order Character You Likely Forgot Shameless' Emmy Rossum Played

Emmy Rossum can most recently be seen as the lead in the Peacock original "Angelyne," which was a very physically challenging role and transformation to undertake. However, she is perhaps best known for her lead role as Fiona Gallagher in "Shameless." The hit Showtime dramedy aired its last episodes in 2021 after 11 Seasons and followed a scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family that makes no apologies for who they are. To the sadness of fans, the actress left the series after Season 9.

In a 2019 interview with Shape, she expressed, "I want to leave the show while I still love it, and I know the door is open to come back if that feels right. I'm also extremely proud of what I was able to accomplish off-screen, with my negotiation for equal pay and the effect that had on other women in the industry and in general."

Before her central role on the popular Showtime series, Rossum had several television credits to her name. In the late '90s, she appeared in "As the World Turns" and "A Will of Their Own." In 2000, she played a Young Audrey Hepburn in the television film "The Audrey Hepburn Story." During the start of her career, Rossum also played a part in an episode of "Law & Order." Her appearance on the police procedural was her third television role overall, and Rossum fans may be interested to know what type of role it was.

In 1997, Emmy Rossum played Alison Martin in the Season 8, Episode 10, "Ritual," of "Law & Order." The character is the daughter of Eric Martin (Cotter Smith), the man who is suspected of killing his wife's uncle. The uncle was killed because he had hired, with his family's support, an Egyptian doctor to perform a female circumcision on Alison. Eric believed he was forced to act in order to protect his daughter from his wife's family. IMDb describes the investigators in the episode as having "to deal with a clash between cultural convictions and the law."

At the end of the episode, Eric Martin accepts a lesser prison sentence so long as his wife gives up custody of Alison to his parents (via TV Tropes).

"Law & Order" originally debuted in 1990 and was recently brought back in 2022 by NBC. Fans might be surprised to find out that the "Shameless" actress isn't the only well-known actor to start their careers on the show. Some other stars that have appeared on "Law & Order" include Adam Driver, Timothée Chalamet, Elizabeth Banks, John Krasinski, Rooney Mara, Jennifer Garner, and many others.

Upcoming, Rossum is currently working on "The Crowded Room," which is an anthology drama on Apple TV+, alongside Tom Holland as well as Amanda Seyfried. Meanwhile, the "Law & Order" brand has a history making crossover between all three of the shows coming up on Thursday, September 22. This will serve as the premiere for the 24th season of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Season 3 of "Law & Order: Organized Crime," and Season 22 of "Law & Order."