‘Shameless’ Season 6 Spoilers: Cameron Monaghan Teases Mickey’s Absence, Reveals What’s Next For Ian

Say it ain’t so! “Shameless” may be returning with a sixth season this winter, but according to Cameron Monaghan, who stars on the hit Showtime series as Ian, one beloved character from the dark comedy will be noticeably absent in the upcoming installment: Mickey (Noel Fisher).

The actor confirmed the news to TVLine, explaining that because Mickey, his ex on-screen lover, is “in prison for attempted murder,” it will be “hard to keep him heavily involved” in Season 6. So what does that mean for Ian? Well, Mickey’s absence will force Ian to “find some stability in his life” through other outlets, like his new job with Fiona (Emmy Rossum) at the diner and through his bipolar medication.

In fact, it was Ian's bipolar disorder that sparked the breakup between everyone’s favorite “Shameless” couple. During the Season 5 finale, Ian called his relationship with Mickey quits after he divulged he had no desire to take his medication anymore. And although Mickey had wanted Ian to receive medical attention for his condition, Ian’s beau accepted his boyfriend’s wishes.

But it looks as though Ian wanted to quit more than just his pills.

“Too much is wrong with me. You can’t fix me because I’m not broken. I don’t need to be fixed. I’m me,” Ian explained before breaking up with Mickey.

So is Ian and Mickey’s relationship over for good? John Wells, creator of “Shameless,” dished to the Hollywood Reporter in April that he’s hoping the two will reunite down the line in “Shameless.”

“It [also] may be an interesting time for Ian to discover how important Mickey was in his life,” the show runner said of Season 6. “It's that thing that often happens when you're younger: You have a relationship that's really difficult and passionate and messy, and then you go away from it and you discover the rest of the world, and sometimes you come back to that first person anyway.”

Do you think Ian and Mickey will ever get back together? Sound off in the comments section below and don’t forget to tune in to “Shameless” when Season 6 premieres in January 2016.