No one would ever compare Ian Gallagher, the gay teen on the Showtime series Shameless, with the gay characters on Glee.

This series takes place far away from a choir room as it follows the life of Frank Gallagher (played by William H. Macy), a single father of six children who is drunk most of the time.

His kids learn to take care of themselves including the third-oldest, Ian, who is tough, street smart and quite sexually active.

Now that the actor who plays him, Cameron Monaghan, has turned 18, the character's storyline will get even more provocative.

Executive producer John Wells told the TV critics Thursday (12 January) during the Winter Press Tour in Pasadena that Monaghan's status as a minor has limited how graphic his sex scenes could be on the show.

'We were wanting to be realistic about those lifestyles choices he was making,' Wells said. 'Literally there is a federal law which we were shown by Warner Bros. legal department.'

Wells, who has produced such television classics as ER and The West Wing, said now that the actor is a legal adult, 'we see him engaged romantically with a man.'

'He's been very brave about it which is great,' Wells said of Monaghan. 'He's not gay but completely embraced the idea of this character and what the character means.'

Gallagher, appearing in a play in New York, did not join his castmates for the panel Thursday. But Wells said the young actor's character has struck a chord with young gay viewers.

'I loved the majority of the mail I get on the show is actually from gay teenagers who say a simple thank you,' Wells said. 'That is something I feel really good about.'

Shameless airs Sundays at 9 p.m. with this week's second season premiere enjoying a ratings spike over its season one debut.