ABC's multi-cam comedy Shifting Gears was renewed for a second season in April 2025. The series is led by Tim Allen and Kat Denning, and the pilot episode quickly became the network's biggest new launch in over six years. After the season 1 cliffhanger ending, fans are anticipating the premiere of the upcoming season.
The series, created by Julie Thacker Scully and Mike Scully, centers around Matt Parker and his daughter, Riley, who, along with her children, move in with Matt after years of being estranged. Allen portrays Matt, a stubborn widower who owns a classic car renovation shop; Denning portrays his daughter, Riley; and Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis play her children, Carter and Georgia.
The second season of Shifting Gears will see the return of two Fear the Walking Dead actors, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell and Jenna Elfman. Mitchell's character, Stitch, is a mechanic at Matt's shop, and Elfman portrays Eve Drake, Riley's boss and Matt's love interest.
Elfman is best known for her role in ABC's sitcom, Dharma & Greg. For her performance in the series, she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1999. She recently appeared in the third season of AMC's psychological thriller Dark Winds alongside Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, and Jessica Matten.
Mitchell is well known for his role as Tommy Webber in the sci-fi movie, Galaxy Quest (1999), a film in which Allen also starred. The movie is a humorous homage to other sci-fi films with a great cast of characters and outrageous comedy. Next, Mitchell will star in 52nd State, a thriller directed by Todd S. Yellin, that follows a Costa Rican IT worker who discovers a scam operation targeting vulnerable Americans.
Seann William Scott will return as Gabriel, another mechanic at Parker's Restoration. Nancy Travis, who guest-starred in season 1, will also return as Charlotte. Newcomers for this season include Lilly Singh (A Little Late with Lilly Singh, The Muppets Mayhem), and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts in his first scripted TV role.
The premiere episode of season 2 will feature a Home Improvement reunion as Allen's co-stars from that series, Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning will guest-star. Their characters will support Matt in a surprising way.
Shifting Gears season 2 premieres on ABC beginning Wednesday, October 1, and will stream on Hulu the following day. If you missed the first season, it is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.