The 'Shifting Gears' Cast And Where You Know Them From
Shifting Gears (2025) is both one of the newer and one of the few comedies still standing on network TV. In its defense, ABC has quite a comedy block with it, including Abbott Elementary (2021) and Scrubs (2026). Even so, those three shows demonstrate that there are so few scripted shows on TV anymore. While that declining trend has many moving parts, it may also be the reason that Shifting Gears has already been renewed for a third season.
The comedy series is, of course, right in Tim Allen’s wheelhouse, almost feeling like a continuation of some of his best-known TV comedies. Regardless, Shifting Gears feels like the TV shows that don’t exist in the same abundance anymore, with yearly release schedules and live studio audiences. Those qualities could be what draw in guest-star talents like Jenna Elfman, Jesse Williams, and Pamela Adlon. Maybe those names or the show’s production style have drawn you into the show, too. If so, you’re probably wondering what’s next after the second season’s romantic cliffhangers.
In the meantime, here’s where you may have seen the Shifting Gears main cast before. You can watch these TV shows and movies on Hulu, Netflix, and more.
Tim Allen as Matt
Of the main cast, Tim Allen, who plays the widowed owner of a classic car restoration garage in Shifting Gears, has one of the longest filmographies. I, like many others, first met him when he voiced Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) and its sequels, with Toy Story 5 (2026) his most recent outing as the character. Allen’s work has also become a holiday staple in my house, thanks to his role as Scott Calvin/Santa Claus in The Santa Clause (1994) and its sequels.
I maintain that The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006) is the best, but I may be biased because I love Martin Short’s wild performance as Jack Frost. It’s certainly a much better addition to the franchise than The Santa Clauses (2022), which somehow loses all the heart and whimsy of the original films.
Still, where most fans of TV sitcoms will likely recognize Allen is from his long runs as Tim Taylor on Home Improvement (1991) and Mike Baxter in Last Man Standing (2011). A few of Allen’s costars—Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, Debbie Dunning, Nancy Travis—from both comedies have appeared in Shifting Gears over its two seasons.
One to watch: As far as returning to roles and sequels, the action-adventure delight that is Toy Story 2 (1999) is a hard bar for Allen and the animated franchise to clear.
Kat Dennings as Riley
As a Hilary Duff superfan who grew up in the early 2000s, I first came across Kat Dennings’s work as Sloane in Raise Your Voice (2004). A lot of my friends, who loved (500) Days of Summer (2009), would find Dennings later through the angsty romance of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008), opposite Michael Cera. Meanwhile, I was doubled over in laughter watching her as Mona opposite Anna Faris in the deeply underrated The House Bunny (2008).
We all have our interests, and one of the amazing things about Dennings’s filmography is that it has so much range that there really is something for everyone. If you’re a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan, then you already know Dennings as Darcy Lewis from Thor: The Dark World (2013) and WandaVision (2020).
If you’re a fan of sitcoms, there’s a great chance you’ve seen at least an episode of Dennings as Max Black, opposite Beth Behrs, in the long-running 2 Broke Girls (2011). Dennings has also made a name for herself in the world of voice work with roles across shows like Big Mouth (2017), Robot Chicken (2005), and American Dad! (2005).
One to watch: As someone who gravitates toward female-led shows, especially those that meditate on the complexities of female friendship, Dollface (2019) is worth checking out.
Seann Williams Scott as Gabriel
Seann Williams Scott is one of those actors that I feel like I’ve always been tangentially aware of because of comedies like Dude, Where’s My Car? (2005) and American Pie (1999). Those movies felt so prevalent in the early 2000s that I recognized Williams Scott without being truly familiar with his work. For instance, it wasn’t until I got older that I realized he also voiced Crash in Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) and a number of other additions to the animated film franchise.
Though he had quite a handle on comedy, Williams Scott also ventured into horror, appearing in another early 2000s staple, Final Destination (2000). I also find his more prominent return to TV ahead of Shifting Gears, where he plays a family friend who works in Matt’s garage, interesting.
He stepped into the third and final season of Lethal Weapon (2016), starring opposite Damon Wayans. He also had a five-episode guest-starring arc as Corey Milsap in the very popular The Righteous Gemstones (2019). Now, I’m just waiting to see if Gabe and Riley end up together.
One to watch: Sean Williams Scott certainly thrives in comedy, but he’s also a great action star in the Lethal Weapon reboot, even if he only appears in the final season.
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch
Before writing this list, I thought that I first watched Daryl Mitchell as Mr. Morgan in one of the best romantic comedies ever made, 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). As it turns out, Mitchell was in the entertainment I watched well before I found that movie. He appeared as Officer Hamm in The Country Bears (2002), a movie that terrifies me as an adult, before having guest roles in both The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005) and Wizards of Waverly Place (2007).
Beyond that, Mitchell has also played significant roles in some of TV’s biggest franchises. He plays Wendell Rabinowitz, one of the few survivors of Fear the Walking Dead (2015), which is a spin-off series of The Walking Dead (2010).
He also played Patton Plame, a computer specialist, in all seven seasons of NCIS: New Orleans (2014), an NCIS (2005) spin-off series. Now, Mitchell plays Stitch, a mechanic and veteran in ABC’s Shifting Gears.
One to watch: It has to be 10 Things I Hate About You, doesn’t it? What’s better?
Maxwell Simkins as Carter
Maxwell Simkins is one of Shifting Gears’ two younger stars. He plays Carter, Riley’s (Kat Dennings) son, and Barrett Margolis plays Georgia, her daughter. While the sitcom is Margolis’s acting debut and, therefore, first role as a series regular, Simkins has more experience in the entertainment industry. For instance, he acted opposite Kevin James in Home Team (2022).
He’s had smaller roles in A.P. Bio (2018) and the live-action Kim Possible (2019). He also had his first series regular role as Zane in the third season of Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark (2016).
Still, his breakout role is definitely Nick Ganz in The Mighty Ducks (1992) sequel series, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021), in which Nick is a key part of creating the show’s titular team, and Simkins makes it so easy to root for the character’s turn from podcasting to ice hockey.
One to watch: All of his other roles have led Maxwell Simkins to a confident comedic performance alongside Tim Allen and Kat Dennings in Shifting Gears.
