William H. Macy to Make TV Directorial Debut on Showtime's SHAMELESS, 3/1

SHAMELESS series star William H. Macy takes the reins as director in a pivotal episode of the show's fifth season. The episode titled "Tell Me You fing Need Me" which airs thisSunday, March 1st at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, finds Ian (Cameron Monaghan) beginning to regain some of his senses under a mandatory 72-hour hold at the psychiatric ward. Meanwhile, when Frank (Macy) returns home from the hospital with a new determination to take care of himself without Sammi's (Emily Bergl) help, she is forced to take more drastic measures to teach Frank a valuable lesson. In a poignant scene, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) must make tough decisions regarding her romantic future with Jimmy (Justin Chatwin) or Gus (Steve Kazee).

This episode marks Macy's first time directing series television. For a behind the scenes look at the episode, go to:http://s.sho.com/WHMDirects507

Recently garnering three Emmy® Award nominations in the comedy category, as well a Golden Globe® nomination and a Screen Actors Guild Award® win for Macy, SHAMELESS season five finds the Gallaghers dealing with the upsides and downsides of personal growth and urban renewal. As their neighborhood begins a move towards gentrifying, the Gallagher clan tries to reconcile their chaotic past in the hopes of building a better future.

The series also stars Jeremy Allen White, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton, Steve Howey, Emma Kenney, Noel Fisher and special guest star Joan Cusack. Dermot Mulroney, and Sasha Alexander also guest star. Based on the long-running hit U.K. series, SHAMELESS is executive-produced by Emmy Award winning television and film producer John Wells, Andrew Stearn, Christopher Chulack, Davey Holmes and Nancy Pimental. Wells developed the series for American television. Paul Abbott serves as executive consultant. SHAMELESS is produced by Bonanza Productions, Inc. in association with John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television.