Jenna Elfman (10 Days in the Valley) is making her return to ABC, revisiting her sitcom roots in a recurring role on the upcoming comedy Shifting Gears with Tim Allen (Home Improvement, Last Man Standing), according to TVLine. Allen stars in the series as Matt, who is seen as the determined, widowed owner of Parker Customs, a vintage car restoration shop.
According to the official logline, TVLine states that Shifting Gears will follow Matt, whose life takes a turn when his estranged daughter, played by Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls), moves in with her kids, which sparks a true restoration of his life and relationships.
Per TVLine, Elfman will join the cast as Eve Drake, “a spirited choreographer and owner of the dance studio across from Parker Customs.” (Could she be playing Allen’s love interest?
Joining Allen, Dennings and Elfman in the cast are Seann William Scott (Lethal Weapon) as Gabriel, a family friend who works at the shop with Matt; Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (NCIS: New Orleans, ED) as Stitch, a former Marine and fellow mechanic; and Maxwell Simkins (The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, The Chicken Squad) with newcomer Barrett Margolis, who co-stars as Dennings’ TV kids, Carter and Georgia.
The show is starting with a hard-hitting cast and crew. Michelle Nader (2 Broke Girls, Dollface) is taking on this show as the showrunner. The all-new comedy series is set to premiere its first season on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 8/7c, where it will lead into the midseason return of Abbott Elementary, which is now airing at 8:30 pm, according to TVLine.
As Shifting Gears gets ready for its premiere, the show promises a compelling mix of family, comedy and heart. With Allen leading the cast and Elfman bringing her signature charm to the role of Eve Drake, the series is set to deliver both laughs and emotional moments.
Alongside a strong supporting cast, including Dennings and Scott, Shifting Gears is primed to restore more than just vintage cars—it’s looking to restore the bonds that truly matter. With Nader at the helm, this new sitcom is sure to capture viewers’ attention when it premieres on ABC.
