{"id":210332,"date":"2025-12-11T02:26:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T02:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/11\/which-shifting-gears-stars-are-and-arent-returning-for-season-2\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T02:26:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T02:26:32","slug":"which-shifting-gears-stars-are-and-arent-returning-for-season-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/11\/which-shifting-gears-stars-are-and-arent-returning-for-season-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Which ‘Shifting Gears’ Stars Are \u2014 And Aren’t \u2014 Returning for Season 2?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Tim Allen<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s sitcom Shifting Gears<\/em> is returning for a second season \u2014 but will every cast member be back?<\/p>\n

The hit ABC sitcom follows father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings<\/strong>), as they find themselves living together and working to repair their relationship.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the very beginning, [the creative team has said] that we\u2019ve never seen Tim Allen in a sitcom with a romantic interest. And I said, \u2018Well, I\u2019ve just lost my wife so I don\u2019t see it.\u2019 So I love where we are,\u201d Allen exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> in January. \u201cI said, \u2018If 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\u2019s organic and proper.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to Allen and Dennings, Shifting Gears<\/em> also stars Seann William Scott, Daryl \u201cChill\u201d Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins<\/strong> and Barrett Margolis. Jenna Elfman<\/strong>, 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\u2019s character.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>‘Shifting Gears’ Season 2: What to Know After Tim Allen, Jenna Elfman Kiss<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tShifting Gears is coming back for season 2 \u2014 but what can fans expect after Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman\u2018s surprising onscreen kiss? The ABC series, which premiered in January 2025, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Allen\u2019s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the duo work [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Allen said he was proud of how his Shifting Gears<\/em> character<\/a> differed from his past sitcom roles \u2014 especially since he\u2019s not a typical \u201cman\u2019s man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s more like me. I\u2019m 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,\u201d Allen added. \u201cI came from a huge family run by women. So my perspective is very different about men. I don\u2019t think we run things. So I want this to be that guy. He\u2019s not a \u2018man\u2019s man\u2019 in that term, and he wasn\u2019t trying to be anything but what he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Tim<\/div>

\n Tim Allen, Kat Dennings.<\/span> Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He continued: \u201cThis is a new character and it\u2019s much closer to [who I am]. I\u2019ve been through grief in my life with losing my father. I\u2019ve been blessed to be a comedian and so that\u2019s who this [character] is. If I did it again, I wanted to get as much closer to the [man] that I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep scrolling to see which Shifting Gears<\/em> characters are coming back for season 2 \u2014 and which aren\u2019t:<\/p>\n

Tim Allen<\/h3>\n
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\"Kat<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shifting Gears<\/em> wouldn\u2019t exist without Allen\u2019s Matt \u2014 who is once again at the center of the show in season 2.<\/p>\n

Kat Dennings<\/h3>\n
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\"Kat<\/div>

\n \u201cRiley is literally hours out of her marriage. She should really pull it back a little bit,\u201d Dennings, who is returning, joked to Us in March about Riley\u2019s future with love interest Gabriel. \u201cShe\u2019s been separated for a long time and she hasn\u2019t been emotionally in this relationship. But still, she just got out of a very long relationship.\u201d<\/span> Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She continued: \u201cShe also really loves Gabriel as a friend. So I think there\u2019s lots of reasons for the slow burn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seann William Scott<\/h3>\n
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\"SHIFTING<\/div>
ABC\/Disney \/ Courtesy Everett Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scott admitted there was one plot line<\/a> he was hoping wouldn\u2019t get explored again in season 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to do more dancing. Although for some reason \u2014 just because of the other project that I did \u2014 pole dancing came up on the show,\u201d Scott told Us. \u201cI just think no more dancing [would be great]. I can\u2019t do it. I\u2019m still stressed thinking about having to do it right before we would shoot something. It\u2019s anxiety. It\u2019s a real thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daryl \u201cChill\u201d Mitchell<\/h3>\n
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\"Shifting<\/div>
Disney\/Justin Stephens<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mitchell is returning to season 2 as Stitch.<\/p>\n

Maxwell Simkins<\/h3>\n
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\"Tim<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sophomore season will follow more of the family dynamics between Riley, her kids \u2014 Carter and Georgia \u2014 and her dad.<\/p>\n

Barrett Margolis<\/h3>\n
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\"Kat<\/div>

\n In addition to Simkins\u2019 Carter, Margolis\u2019 Georgia is playing a large role in season 2 as well.<\/span> Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jenna Elfman<\/h3>\n
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\"Why<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During an exclusive interview with Us<\/em> in September, showrunner Michelle Nader<\/strong> teased how Matt and Eve are kicking it \u201cinto high gear\u201d after solidifying their relationship.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI will say that it is really interesting to watch them,\u201d Nader teased about the season 2 dynamic. \u201cIt\u2019s interesting to watch their relationship develop, and so they\u2019re going to go into high gear \u2014 but it\u2019s going to be a little bit of a roller-coaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucas Neff<\/h3>\n
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\"Tim<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Riley chose to end her marriage to Jimmy at the end of season 1, so it is unclear whether Neff\u2019s character will be back.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>A Guide to the Most Iconic Guest Stars on Tim Allen\u2018s \u2018Shifting Gears\u2018<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tTim Allen\u2018s ABC sitcom Shifting Gears has allowed him to recruit familiar guest stars \u2014 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\u2019s character, Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nancy Travis<\/h3>\n
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\"NCIS<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Allen\u2019s former Last Man Standing<\/em> costar is reprising her role as Charlotte.<\/p>\n

Patricia Richardson<\/h3>\n
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\"See<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much is known about how Allen\u2019s former Home Improvement<\/em> costar factors into season 2.<\/p>\n

Debbe Dunning<\/h3>\n
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\"See<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Us<\/em> got the first look at Dunning\u2019s appearance in the season 2 premiere.<\/p>\n

Richard Karn<\/h3>\n
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\"See<\/div>
Disney\/Raymond Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Richardson, Karn and Dunning\u2019s characters will reportedly \u201coffer support\u201d<\/a> to Allen\u2019s character.<\/p>\n

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