Tim Allen‘s sitcom Shifting Gears is returning for a second season — but will every cast member be back?
The hit ABC sitcom follows father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), as they find themselves living together and working to repair their relationship.
“From the very beginning, [the creative team has said] that we’ve never seen Tim Allen in a sitcom with a romantic interest. And I said, ‘Well, I’ve just lost my wife so I don’t see it.’ So I love where we are,” Allen exclusively told Us Weekly in January. “I said, ‘If it happens over time and happens organically with two people that do not get along then it is OK. I just am really cautious about this. I just want it to happen where it’s organic and proper.”
In addition to Allen and Dennings, Shifting Gears also stars Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis. Jenna Elfman, meanwhile, was cast in a recurring role as spirited choreographer Eve Drake, who owns a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop run by Allen’s character.
Allen said he was proud of how his Shifting Gears character differed from his past sitcom roles — especially since he’s not a typical “man’s man.”
“He’s more like me. I’m more of an artist. I was a design student and a philosopher and my standup comedy is really about messing with people in a good way,” Allen added. “I came from a huge family run by women. So my perspective is very different about men. I don’t think we run things. So I want this to be that guy. He’s not a ‘man’s man’ in that term, and he wasn’t trying to be anything but what he does.”
Tim Allen, Kat Dennings. Disney/Raymond Liu
He continued: “This is a new character and it’s much closer to [who I am]. I’ve been through grief in my life with losing my father. I’ve been blessed to be a comedian and so that’s who this [character] is. If I did it again, I wanted to get as much closer to the [man] that I am.”
Keep scrolling to see which Shifting Gears characters are coming back for season 2 — and which aren’t:
Tim Allen
Shifting Gears wouldn’t exist without Allen’s Matt — who is once again at the center of the show in season 2.
Kat Dennings
“Riley is literally hours out of her marriage. She should really pull it back a little bit,” Dennings, who is returning, joked to Us in March about Riley’s future with love interest Gabriel. “She’s been separated for a long time and she hasn’t been emotionally in this relationship. But still, she just got out of a very long relationship.” Disney/Raymond Liu
She continued: “She also really loves Gabriel as a friend. So I think there’s lots of reasons for the slow burn.”
Seann William Scott
Scott admitted there was one plot line he was hoping wouldn’t get explored again in season 2.
“I don’t want to do more dancing. Although for some reason — just because of the other project that I did — pole dancing came up on the show,” Scott told Us. “I just think no more dancing [would be great]. I can’t do it. I’m still stressed thinking about having to do it right before we would shoot something. It’s anxiety. It’s a real thing.”
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell
Mitchell is returning to season 2 as Stitch.
Maxwell Simkins
The sophomore season will follow more of the family dynamics between Riley, her kids — Carter and Georgia — and her dad.
Barrett Margolis
In addition to Simkins’ Carter, Margolis’ Georgia is playing a large role in season 2 as well. Disney/Raymond Liu
Jenna Elfman
During an exclusive interview with Us in September, showrunner Michelle Nader teased how Matt and Eve are kicking it “into high gear” after solidifying their relationship.
“I will say that it is really interesting to watch them,” Nader teased about the season 2 dynamic. “It’s interesting to watch their relationship develop, and so they’re going to go into high gear — but it’s going to be a little bit of a roller-coaster.”
Lucas Neff
Riley chose to end her marriage to Jimmy at the end of season 1, so it is unclear whether Neff’s character will be back.
Tim Allen‘s ABC sitcom Shifting Gears has allowed him to recruit familiar guest stars — including his former costars from Home Improvement and Last Man Standing. The hit series, which premiered in January 2025, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Allen’s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), […]
Nancy Travis
Allen’s former Last Man Standing costar is reprising her role as Charlotte.
Patricia Richardson
Not much is known about how Allen’s former Home Improvement costar factors into season 2.
Debbe Dunning
Us got the first look at Dunning’s appearance in the season 2 premiere.
Richard Karn
Richardson, Karn and Dunning’s characters will reportedly “offer support” to Allen’s character.
Lilly Singh
Singh is joining the show as Riley’s new mom friend “who she clicks with instantly, only for their budding friendship to be derailed by unexpected mama drama.”
Mookie Betts
ABC confirmed Betts will be playing himself as he makes his scripted TV debut in season 2.
Luke Macfarlane
Deadline confirmed that Luke Macfarlane will be playing Sam a.k.a Matt’s son. He was previously brought up on the show as a Navy hero but not much else has been mentioned about the missing member of the Parker family.
