Tim Allen and Kat Dennings Team Up for New ABC Sitcom ‘Shifting Gears’

Tim Allen and Kat Dennings are set to star in ABC‘s new sitcom, ‘Shifting Gears,’ which premieres on Wednesday, January 8. The show follows widowed father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter Riley (Dennings) as they navigate life together after Riley and her children move in with him. The series marks Dennings’ return to network television nearly a decade after her role in CBS‘s ‘2 Broke Girls.’

Dennings, 38, shared that her on-screen chemistry with Allen, 71, developed quickly. ‘It clicked pretty fast. We had lunch after I accepted the role, and I felt immediately like I could trust him for some reason,’ she said. ‘He opened up really fast to me. So I [was] like, ‘OK, this guy is like letting me in.” The duo’s bond mirrors their characters’ relationship, with Dennings describing their scenes as ‘so funny’ and ‘organic.’

‘Shifting Gears’ also stars Seann William Scott, Daryl ‘Chill’ Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis. The show reunites Dennings with showrunner Michelle Nader, who previously worked with her on ‘2 Broke Girls’ and Hulu‘s ‘Dollface.’ Dennings teased that her real-life best friend and former ‘Dollface’ co-star Brenda Song will make a guest appearance, adding to the show’s star-studded lineup.

Reflecting on her return to sitcoms, Dennings admitted she initially felt nervous. ‘I felt scared at first because it had been so long. I felt like I forgot everything,’ she said. ‘Then as soon as we started the first take, it was like I had never left.’ She described the experience as a ‘magical situation,’ noting that the opportunity felt like a dream come true.

The show’s premise centers on Matt, a classic car restoration shop owner, and Riley, who moves in with her children after a personal crisis. The series explores their evolving relationship and the challenges of blending their lives. Dennings expressed excitement about the potential for her character’s romantic storyline with Scott’s character, hoping it will develop over multiple seasons.

‘Shifting Gears’ premieres on ABC at 8 p.m. ET on January 8, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day. The show promises to deliver humor, heart, and a fresh take on family dynamics, backed by a talented cast and crew.