While most people know that actors like Emmy Rossum and Jeremy Allen White starred inShameless, many don’t know that Disney Channel icon Dove Cameron was also on the show. Running for 11 seasons, the black comedy series centered on the Gallaghers, a working-class dysfunctional family led by alcoholic patriarch Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy). With six Gallagher siblings,Shamelesssaw a revolving door of guest starsplaying various figures in the kids' lives, from friends to lovers to co-workers.
WhileShamelesswas her very first acting gig, singer andactor Dove Cameron got her claim to famefrom the Disney Channel seriesLiv and Maddie. Her musical talent earned her the lead as Mal, daughter of Maleficent, in Disney’sDescendents,a musical film franchise centering on the children of famous Disney villains. Following the success of her acting career, Cameron then grabbed the attention of the popular music scene by winning New Artist of the Year at the 2022 American Music Awards. In 2023, Cameron released her debut album,Alchemical: Volume 1, which included the hit single, “Boyfriend.”
Dove Cameron Played Holly Herkimer On Shameless
Holly Is A “Friend” Of Debbie’s Who Is Attracted To Lip
Although she onlyplayed the character of Holly Herkimer for two episodes, Dove Cameron made a big impression. Holly is first introduced inShamelessseason 2, episode 4, “A Beautiful Mess.” When Debbie gets so stressed that she breaks out in a rash, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) insists that Debbie (Emma Kenney) have a slumber party to alleviate her anxiety. Debbie asks a classmate to introduce her to cool-girl Holly in exchange for an invitation.
Family GuyandMarvelous Mrs. Maiselactress Alex Borstein wrote the script for “A Beautiful Mess”. Borstein also served as a consulting producer onShameless.
When Holly meets Debbie at the front door, she is clad in only a bikini, making her intentions clear that she is attending the party for one reason, and one reason only — Debbie’s older brother, Lip (Jeremy Allen White). things get awkward fast when Holly tries to have sex with Lip and he rejects her. Cameron makes another brief appearance as Holly in season 2 episode 5, “Father’s Day,” when she claims to have left her underwear in Lip’s room.
Season 2, Episode 5
“Father’s Day”
Cameron does a lot with what she’s given to work with in her twoShamelessepisodes. Her character embodies the theme of kids having to grow up too fast, whether it’s as a matter of survival, like the Gallaghers, or seemingly by choice, like Holly. And though Cameron only appeared inShamelessseason 2, Holly Herkimer returned in seasons 4 and 5, though this time she was played by actress Danika Yarosh. This is likely because these seasons aired when Cameron was starring inLiv and Maddie, and she was likely unavailable to reprise the role of Holly.
What’s Next For Dove Cameron?
Cameron Is Set To Release Alchemical: Volume 2 & Star In An Amazon Prime Video Series
Since her stint onShameless,Dove Cameron has sure kept busy. Along with starring inDescendents,Descendents 2,andDescendents 3,Cameron showed off her singing talents in the Apple TV+ musical seriesSchmigadoon!She also had a recurring role in Hulu’sHistory of the World: Part IIas Anastasia Romanov. In 2024, she starred in the indie thrillerLove Me Dead.
Cameron’s musical career is also soaring. With the successful release ofAlchemical: Volume 1,the second part of the album,Alchemical Vol. 2, is expected to release sometime in 2025. Cameron is alsodue to star in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming miniseries,Obsession.She recently shared her excitement about the show on herInstagrampost, saying “These last few months have been some of the most intense and transformational of my career. Cannot wait for you to see what we made.”
Shameless
Cast
Shameless is a Black Comedy, Family Drama created by Paul Abbott and starring William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, and Justin Chatwin. The premise follows the Gallagher family and their closest friends as they deal with a not-so-helpful father, Frank Gallagher. His children each find their own path, growing into their own flawed people without much guidance or help from the family patriarch.
