Emmy Rossum has detailed her decision to depart the Showtime series “Shameless,” stating that her ambition to take creative control of her career was the driving factor. Rossum, who starred as Fiona Gallagher, explained on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast that by the time the show was offered two additional seasons, she had already established her production company, Composition 8.

"We had made 110 episodes, and by the time I left and they offered us two more years, I had already started my production company," Rossum told host Alex Cooper. "I had set up my first show [‘Angelyne’], and I was greenlit and getting ready to make it."

Rossum’s production company has been involved in developing projects, including the upcoming Hulu series “Furious,” where she also stars as FBI agent Alice Black. The series is set to premiere on July 27.

Contrary to rumors that her departure was related to starting a family, Rossum clarified that her motivation was career-oriented. "I left to go make the show I had been developing, that our showrunner John Wells had encouraged me to kind of get in the driver’s seat of my own career and make my own shows and make things," she said. Rossum added that she left the show with "a lot of grief and sorrow," emphasizing her affection for the role and the experience.

She noted that by the end of her tenure on “Shameless,” she had directed two episodes, indicating a growing interest in other aspects of television production. "I wanted to stay in the job. I loved the job. I wasn’t walking away from the job. I loved the job until it felt like there wasn’t enough juice to squeeze out of the lemon."

Rossum also addressed her widely reported equal pay dispute prior to Season 8 filming. She sought a salary commensurate with co-star William H. Macy. While the negotiation became public, potentially leaked by the network, Rossum stated on the podcast that public support for her position led to a revised contract with an increased salary. "It’s always scary asking for what you think you’re worth," Rossum said. "To say, ‘I think this is what I’m worth,’ you have to take up space in the room."

“Furious” will debut its first three episodes on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on July 27, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly on Mondays through August 31.