A new addition is revving up excitement for Shifting Gears, as a major player joins the cast of the ABC multi-camera comedy in a recurring role. Starring Tim Allen as Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, Shifting Gears is actually more about mending broken family ties than fixing cars. The series follows Matt as his estranged daughter Riley (Kat Dennings) and her two teenage kids move in, upending his life and pushing him toward a heartfelt reconciliation. Shifting Gears also features Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis in major roles.
Deadline has recently shared that Jenna Elfman will join the cast of Shifting Gears. Best known for her Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated turn in Dharma & Greg, Elfman will play Eve Drake, a vivacious choreographer and owner of the dance studio located across from Matt’s shop. The series, helmed by 2 Broke Girls showrunner Michelle Nader, premieres on January 8, airing in the coveted 8 PM time slot where many classic ABC sitcoms, such as Dharma & Greg, once thrived.
What Jenna Elfman In Shifting Gears Means
The Seasoned Vet Returns To ABC With Charisma And Talent
Elfman’s addition to Shifting Gears marks the actor’s return to multi-camera comedy, a genre where she made a lasting impact with her lead role as the flower child Dharma in Dharma & Greg, which aired from 1997 to 2002. Her purported casting as Eve Drake seems poised to imbue a lively dynamic into Shifting Gears, potentially as a hippie figure to mediate the tension between Matt and Riley as they learn how to be in each other’s lives again.
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This move reunites Elfman with ABC and 20th Television, the same network and studio behind Dharma & Greg, for which the actor received a Golden Globe Award For Best Actress in 1999. By bringing in a seasoned sitcom veteran, Shifting Gears is doubling down on its appeal to those who love character-driven humor with a nostalgic touch. For instance, many viewers have come to know Allen from the ’90s ABC sitcom Home Improvement, while Dennings established herself in 2010s sitcoms such as Dollface and 2 Broke Girls.
Our Take On Jenna Elfman In Shifting Gears
The Perfect Addition To ABC’s Upcoming Sitcom
Elfman’s casting is a win for Shifting Gears, as her comedic timing and charismatic screen presence are sure to resonate with audiences. Elfman’s return to the multi-camera comedy format feels like a natural fit, especially given her storied history in the genre. By reuniting her with ABC, Shifting Gears taps into nostalgia with a new and exciting story. If her role is given the depth and screen time it deserves, Eve could become a fan-favorite character who not only enriches Matt’s world but also provides a spark of her own in this promising sitcom.
Source: Deadline
Matt, a widowed and stubborn owner of a classic car restoration shop, has his life turned upside down when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her teenage children move in with him. As they try to repair their strained relationships, the family also navigates the challenges of keeping the business afloat
- Character(s)
- Matt , Riley , Ed , Carter , Georgia
- Seasons
- 1
- Release Window
- 2025