Although Shifting Gears kicked off with a bang in January 2025, viewership started to decline, and the season garnered negative critical reviews, despite the hard-hitting actors involved. However, audiences have been kinder towards the show, which sits at a 61% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The sitcom’s fate was left dangling for weeks before Shifting Gears season 2 was announced in April 2025. With another season in the works, let’s take a look at who’s who in Shifting Gears (upcoming and potential characters not included).
Matt Parker Is a Gruff Yet Lovable Widower and Auto Shop Owner
Played by Tim Allen
Tim Allen portrays Matt Parker, the owner of Parker Customs. Matt Parker, a widower, originally wanted to become a designer but dropped out of college and eventually opened his car restoration shop. While Matt generally has good intentions, he has an old-school mindset and is extremely stubborn, which leads to squabbles with other Shifting Gears characters.
Tim Allen began his career as a comedian in the 1970s and later achieved success in both television and film. He portrayed Scott Calvin/Santa Claus in the hit The Santa Clause films and TV series, played Mike Baxter in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing, and dominated network TV from 1991 to 1999 as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor in Home Improvement, earning a Golden Globe. Additionally, the actor voices Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise, which will release Toy Story 5 in 2026. Outside of acting, Allen is a car enthusiast known for his personal collection.
Riley Parker Is a Tough Mom of Two Who Reunites With Her Dad
Played by Kat Dennings
Kat Dennings portrays Riley Parker, Matt’s daughter. Riley is separated from her husband and has two children. At the start of Shifting Gears, Riley, who has been estranged from Matt for 15 years and took her father’s GTO car when she left, returns with the car to ask for a place to live. Throughout Shifting Gears, Matt and Riley clash due to their differences; while Matt is straight-laced, Riley is a modern-styled troublemaker with a tough exterior.
Gabriel Is a Kindhearted Employee at Matt’s Auto Shop
Played by Seann William Scott
Seann William Scott portrays Gabriel, a mechanic at Parker Customs. Gabriel grew up and went to school in North Hollywood with Riley. While a little eccentric, Gabriel ultimately has a good heart and a charming personality. Gabriel provides a listening ear to Riley and gives her advice when or when not asked, especially pertaining to Riley’s estranged husband.
Stitch Is a Wisecracking Employee
Played by Daryl “Chill” Mitchell
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell portrays Stitch, a mechanic at Parker Customs. Shifting Gears doesn’t highlight Stitch’s personal life, although he is friendly with his co-workers and has been at Parker Customers since at least 2000. Stitch is humorous and charming; he also displays a lot of knowledge about cars and is clearly passionate about his profession.
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell was born in the Bronx. Before he was an actor, Mitchell was a rapper with the group Groove B. Chill. In 2001, Mitchell, who appeared in Galaxy Quest (1999), was paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle crash; he returned to the entertainment industry in 2002. Mitchell’s acting credits include House Party (1990), The John Larroquette Show (1993-1996), and Fear the Walking Dead (2018-2023).
Carter Parker Is Riley’s Son Who Loves Tech and Cars
Played by Maxwell Simkins
Maxwell Simkins portrays Carter Parker, Riley’s son. Carter has a playful and lighthearted spirit and gets along well with the other Shifting Gears characters. Unlike his old-school grandfather, Carter embodies a typical Gen Z teenager, especially when it comes to learning new information through the internet. Carter is shown to have an interest in cars like Matt, however, and is visibly excited when Matt purchases a car to restore for Carter’s upcoming birthday.
Maxwell Simkins has been acting since he was six. Like Dennings, Simkins is from Pennsylvania, although he got his start through roles on the Disney Channel. Simkins’ most prominent roles to date include Zane (Bizaardvark, 2016-2019), Young Drakken (Kim Possible, 2019), and Nick Ganz (The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, 2021-2022).
Georgia Parker Is Riley’s Youngest Child
Played by Barrett Margolis
Shifting Gears is Barrett Margolis’ first professional acting credit. Margolis has dance and theater experience outside of television acting and her ABC biography states that her interests include “dance, tennis, snow skiing, writing and spending time with her friends, family and many pets.”
Shifting Gears: Supporting Cast and Characters
Cynthia Quiles portrays Frankie, a mechanic at Parker Custom. Frankie is closest to Stitch, although she has cordial relationships with all of her co-workers. Cynthia Quiles was born in Puerto Rico and then raised on the East Coast. Her acting credits include Why Women Kill (2019-2023) and Dynasty (2017-2022).
Jenna Elfman portrays Eve Drake, Riley’s boss at Premiere Dance Labs. Eve is a choreographer and, like Matt, is generally friendly but a little hardheaded. Jenna Elfman originally got her start as a dancer before moving onto television. Her acting credits include Townies (1996), Dharma & Greg (1997-2002), and Fear the Walking Dead (2018-2023). Elfman and her husband, Bodhi Elfman, are Scientologists and have two children.
