Season 2 of Shifting Gears is revving up – and things are about to get more complicated in the garage. After fans were left stunned by a surprise kiss between Tim Allen’s character Matt and Jenna Elfman’s Eve in the Season 1 finale, Elfman is teasing that the sparks between the two characters aren’t going to burn out anytime soon. And for a show that focuses on restoring cars and repairing broken relationships, it’s only fitting that Matt’s romantic life is in for a few tune-ups too.
“You’re going to see more of the dynamic between Matt and Eve,” Elfman shared in an interview earlier this year. “Just more forthright communication, opinions and exchange. You get to see people being their full selves in each other’s face. It’s really fun.”
In the final episode of Shifting Gears Season 1, it looked like most of the romantic energy was building between Riley (played by Kat Dennings) and Gabriel (played by Seann William Scott). But when Gabriel pulled back from making a move after Riley’s breakup, the finale pivoted in a totally unexpected direction – with Eve planting one on Matt after a full episode of playful tension.
“I thought it was a really fun twist because it seems like of course it’s going to be Riley and Gabriel,” Dennings said in March. “But it was a real surprise.” Elfman agreed, hinting that Eve may have acted on impulse: “I feel like Eve got a little liquid courage in that moment to do that – maybe she wasn’t planning on it. I think it’s a great moment.”
When Will ‘Shifting Gears’ Season 2 Come Out?
Well, we don’t know yet. ABC has officially renewed Shifting Gears for a second season, expected to consist of 10 episodes. The main cast is returning, and as for guest stars, Season 1 featured everyone from Nancy Travis to Jay Leno to Brenda Song. According to Dennings, more surprises are coming. “I can’t reveal too many guest stars but there will be people coming up that are really incredible,” she said. “I think [showrunner] Michelle [Nader] has put in a few special little references for me through the whole series.” Even Jonathan Taylor Thomas might show up – Allen recently confirmed that his Home Improvement “kid” visited the set and hinted that “everything is a possibility.”
Season 2 of Shifting Gears is expected to premiere midseason on ABC in 2026.
