(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Emmy Rossum has become more ballsy since taking on her role in Shameless.

The 24-year-old American actress plays Fiona Gallagher in the TV show about a dysfunctional family and their escapades. The US programme is based on a successful UK series, and will premiere this weekend in America.

Emmys character Fiona is extremely feisty, and is a far cry from the ladylike parts she has played in previous projects such as 2004 movie The Phantom of the Opera. The star loves playing such a strong female though, and attributes the role with making her more outgoing, but she insists Fionas aggressive nature hasnt rubbed off on her.

[Its] definitely made me more ballsy and more confident, but I'm definitely not beating anyone up, she laughed.

Emmy knows that despite her alter-egos tough nature, inside shes really just a big softie. It is Fionas unpredictability which Emmy finds especially interesting.

"I'm not obviously imagined as a kind of feral girl from Chicago," she told USA Today. [Fiona is] very aggressive. She has to have her defences up, but at the same time, she has this innate sensitivity. You don't know if she's going to claw your eyes out or kiss you.

Shameless also stars William H. Macy, and is expected to be a huge hit. (C) Cover Media