When Shifting Gears hit ABC last year, not many people expected it to stick the landing. A widower running an auto shop who suddenly has to take in his estranged daughter and her two kids? Sure, it sounded like a setup we had seen before. But then something happened: it clicked. The characters felt honest, the comedy was warm without being cheesy, and the cast just worked. Now, Shifting Gears is headed into season 2, and the fans are ready to see where things go next. It is funny, heartfelt, and unexpectedly refreshing, and it is coming back right when we need it.
Shifting Gears Season 2 – What to Expect
Shifting Gears will no doubt jump right back into the mess it left behind. The first season ended with a surprising kiss between Eve and Matt, and that is bound to shake things up around the garage and the dinner table. Riley and Gabriel have been dancing around their feelings, too, and if that tension finally breaks, things could get messy in all the wrong ways. Expect a mix of awkward family dinners, late-night conversations, and plenty of side-eye.
One of the most anticipated things about this upcoming season of Shifting Gears is seeing Riley come into her own. She has spent so much of her life defined by other people like her mom, then her kids, and now her dad again. But Kat Dennings plays her with such heart that you cannot help but root for her to figure things out. We are probably going to see her push back a little more, ask harder questions, and maybe even fall on her face a few times, but that is what real life is about.
And then there is Matt, Shifting Gears’ holding it all together with duct tape, sarcasm, and most likely a little denial dad. Watching him try to connect with his grandkids while still grieving and rebuilding a broken relationship with his daughter has been more touching than anyone expected. Add in the crew at the garage, and you have the perfect recipe for comedy with just the right amount of bite.
Meet the Cast of Shifting Gears Season 2
- Tim Allen (Matt) – Tim Allen is back as the grumpy yet loveable auto-shop owner trying to be a better dad and grandpa. You know him from Home Improvement and Last Man Standing, and he brings that same energy here. Tough on the outside, soft in the middle.
- Kat Dennings (Riley) – Best known from 2 Broke Girls and WandaVision, Kat plays Riley, the daughter who is trying to rebuild her life. She is sharp, funny, and not afraid to speak her mind. She is back for Shifting Gears Season 2, ready to stir things up.
- Seann William Scott (Gabriel) – Gabriel works at the shop and might be the most loveable disaster in the building. Seann (American Pie, anyone?) plays him with just the right mix of goofy and sweet. He was a hit in Shifting Gears Season 1 and is not going anywhere.
- Daryl Mitchell (Eli) – Eli is the voice of reason, and Daryl’s delivery is always spot-on. You might have seen him in NCIS: New Orleans. He brings a calm, grounded presence that somehow makes everything funnier.
- Maxwell Simkins (Owen) – Owen is Riley’s curious, loud, and totally loveable son. Maxwell has done great in family comedies like The Sleepover, and in this one, he adds just the right amount of chaos.
- Barrett Margolis (Lila) – Lila is Riley’s younger daughter and an absolute scene-stealer. Barrett brings a sweet, smart presence that adds heart to every scene she is in. She is back for Shifting Gears Season 2, and we are ready for it.
Why We Are Getting More of Shifting Gears
Shifting Gears Season 1 pulled in close to eight million viewers right out of the gate, and even when the numbers dipped a bit, the viewers stuck around. People could connect with it. There was something about seeing people trying to piece their lives together without sugar-coating it that made it relatable. It was not trying too hard, it was just honest.
The season had plenty of standout moments: Riley moving back in with a father she barely knows, Matt trying (and failing) to relate to his grandkids, and Gabriel awkwardly flirting his way into everyone’s hearts. It was funny, sure, but there were also moments that hit way deeper than you would expect from a sitcom. The balance is what earned it a second season and the chance to tell more of those stories.
Wrapping-It-Up
Shifting Gears is not the flashiest show on TV, but it has quietly become one of the most watchable shows on TV. It has that rare mix of humor and heart that sneaks up on you. With Season 2 on the way, the show is leaning into what it does best: exploring messy relationships, personal growth, and all the little moments in between. And that, more than anything, is why people will keep tuning in. So buckle up, Season 2 is rolling in, and it looks like it is going to be a good ride.
