The 59-year-old actor- famous for his roles in Blade Runner and Fargo - will assume the role of the shambolic anti-hero played by David Threlfall in the Channel 4 show.
Shameless, which is set on a Manchester housing estate, has proved a cult hit in the US, with a small but loyal audience following the chaotic events of Chatsworth on BBC America.
Now subscription channel Showtime has ordered a re-make of the comedy drama, set in present day Chicago.
The episode is being penned by show creator Paul Abbott alongside veteran producer John Wells, who previously worked on ER and the West Wing.
The US adaptation will be set against the backdrop of the recession, with Macy starring as the frequently absent dad-of-six, while eldest daughter Fiona struggles to keep household together.
Filming will begin in December. The deal follows years of complex negotiations. Other US broadcasters, such as HBO, were previously keen to film re-makes.
Earlier this week, the M.E.N. reported how a £100m revamp of the real-life Chatsworth estate in West Gorton, where the show was originally filmed, has been stalled because of the credit crunch.
Writer Abbott, who based the outrageous characters on his childhood in Burnley, has previously attacked critics who said his show's black humour would not appeal to US audiences.
In a previous interview about the re-make, he said: `There has to be a parallel universe in the States - in the trailer parks - it is really all about archetypes. I'm sure we can make it work as long as we can sustain the extremities - the savagery - of the language and storylines.'
Previous remakes of Manchester-based hits such as Life on Mars, starring Harvey Keitel as New York lawman Gene Hunt, have met with mixed reviews. Tweet
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Macy is a fantastic actor. I loved him in Fargo. If anyone can pull this off, he can. I'd love to see it.
I think British TV should do makeovers of US TV programmes. I can't wait for CSI:ROCHDALE to hit our screens.
It's funny isn't it. The Duchess of York does a documentary in an area of Manchester and they get all uppity at how they think it is portrayed, yet Shameless is based on another part of Manchester and people think it is great.
I work for a company that has places down south and they genuinely believe that is what Manchester is like. Mind you, if I fancy having my car nicked or head kicked in I suppose that area is a good start.
He was known as 'Acid Head' in College...ideal for the role methinks.
Macy is an acting legend, and I am sure that he will do justice to our day in the life Manchester Documentary.
Difficult to see how he would be famous for his role in Blade Runner seeing as he wasn't in it. I think you are getting him confused with William Sanderson.
Well spotted Skinny inuit: William H Macey has long been the peoples choice to play in a sequel of Blade runner.
William Sanderson, not WH Macey. For God's sake MEN get your bloomin' facts right. This is one Bladerunner fanboy who won't be able to sleep tonight!!! :(
I have lived on a trialer park in the US, a very typical sort of place jsut as you would imagine from TV - in my opinion I really can't see how there are many parallels. The average Billy Bob is not much like the average Frank Gallagher. In fact, even in Manchetser Frank Gallagher characters are just seen as useless p**heads. WHich they are. It is sad really.
William H Macy in my humble opinion is probabley the most underestimated actor around today,I have followed his career with interest for many years and I have yet to see him give a bad performance,rest assured he will be absolutely superb in whatever part he chooses to play.
Think it will come out the other side similar to 'Friends',as the Americans have a habit of sanitising humour.
My name is earl? Trailer park boys?
How odd, when there is a crime story the usual suspects pop up here to tell us the way to stop crime and bad behaviour is to impose "draconian" penalaties and have strict jails and the death sentence, like in the US. If this is the case and there is no bad behavior and underclass how will the US audience understand this programme? Or could it be the usual suspects are usually talking tosh?
I have seen the first episode with
Macy and he is always the cornerstone. I still think though there was too much shock value and it wears out very quickly.