Fiona Gallagher is saying goodbye.
“See, in real life, unlike Fiona, I’m an only child.
I never had a big family.
Paul Sarkis/SHOWTIME
“But even off set, it feels real.
We’ve watched the kids grow up into the strong, talented, independent human beings that they are.
I taught Emma to shave her legs.
I was there when Ethan learned to drive.
Shanola and Jeremy and Joan and Bill danced at my wedding in New York last year.
Our fearless leader John Wells thankfully held Sam and me up on those rickety chairs during the hora.
I’ve spent the Jewish holy days in temple with David Nevins and his wonderful wife and kids.
It really feels like a family.”
“The opportunity to play Fiona has been a gift,” she continued.
“There are few characters female or otherwise as layered and dynamic.
She is a mother lion, fierce, flawed and sexually liberated.
She is injured, vulnerable, but will never give up.
She is living in an economic depression, but refuses to be depressed.
I knew it the second I read the pilot script, this was different, this was special.
I tirelessly prepped the audition with my coach Terry Knickerbocker.
I walked to the appointment in the rain so I looked disheveled.
Quite simply, the last eight years have been the best of my life.”
“I know you will continue on without me, for now.
There is much more Gallagher story to be told.
I will always be rooting for my family.
Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block.”
On behalf of everyone at Showtime and her millions of fans, we thank you Emmy!”
To read why Rossum thinks the show could run “forever” even without her,head over here.
Check out Rossum’s fell message below.
