Tim Allen New Show ‘Shifting Gears’ 2025: Cast & Streaming

Tim Allen is back on network TV with a new sitcom, and for fans of his signature family comedy, the wait is over. Shifting Gears premiered on ABC on January 8, 2025, pairing Allen with Kat Dennings in a father-daughter story set in a classic car shop. The show has already secured renewals for seasons 2 and 3, making it one of the most talked-about new comedies of the year.

Premiere date: January 8, 2025 ·
Network: ABC ·
Streaming platform: Hulu ·
Seasons ordered: 3 (as of April 2025) ·
Lead actor: Tim Allen ·
Co-star: Kat Dennings

Seven key specs, one theme: Shifting Gears is a traditional multi-camera sitcom with a modern streaming hook.

Is Tim Allen making a new TV show?

Yes — Tim Allen stars in and executive produces Shifting Gears, a sitcom that premiered on ABC in January 2025. The show is his first network series since Last Man Standing ended in 2021. Allen plays Matt Parker, a headstrong widower who runs a classic car restoration shop. When his estranged daughter Riley, played by Kat Dennings, moves in with her teenage children, the family must learn to rebuild relationships alongside the vehicles (TVLine, TV news site).

What is Shifting Gears about?

• Tim Allen plays Matt Parker, a widowed mechanic who owns a classic car workshop (USA Today, mainstream newspaper).
• Kat Dennings plays Riley Parker, his estranged daughter who moves in with her children (ABC, official network website).
• The show is a multi-camera sitcom in the style of Allen’s previous hits (TVLine).

Who else stars in the show?

• Seann William Scott plays Gabriel (ABC, official network website).
• Daryl ‘Chill’ Mitchell plays Stitch (ABC, official network website).
• Maxwell Simkins plays Carter (ABC, official network website).
• Barrett Margolis plays Georgia (ABC, official network website).
• Additional cast includes Jenna Elfman, Brenda Song, Cynthia Quiles, Lucas Neff, and Nancy Travis (DIRECTV Insider, TV listing service).

The implication: Shifting Gears isn’t a reinvention — it’s a comfortable formula designed to attract Allen’s established audience while introducing a new family dynamic through Dennings’ character.

What channel is Shifting Gears going to be on?

Shifting Gears airs on ABC, a broadcast network available via cable, antenna, or live TV streaming services. New episodes are scheduled Wednesday nights at 8/7c (TVLine, TV news site).

Is Shifting Gears available on streaming?

• Episodes stream on Hulu the day after broadcast (TVLine, TV news site).
• Hulu is the exclusive streaming home for Shifting Gears (TVLine, TV news site).

Can I watch Shifting Gears on Hulu?

• Yes — all episodes are available on Hulu with a subscription (USA Today, mainstream newspaper).
• You can also watch live on ABC via a cable login or an over-the-air antenna.

The catch: Streaming on Hulu requires a subscription, but ABC’s broadcast remains free with an antenna — a deliberate split that mirrors the shift from linear to on-demand viewing.

Will there be a season 2 for Shifting Gears?

Yes — ABC renewed Shifting Gears for a second season in early 2025, and season 2 premiered on October 1, 2025, at 8 pm ET/PT (Wikipedia, collaborative encyclopedia; TVLine, TV news site). The season returned for its midseason block on January 7, 2026 (Collider, entertainment news site).

How many episodes in season 2?

• Episode count for season 2 is not yet confirmed by ABC, but typical multi-camera sitcom seasons range from 13 to 22 episodes.
• Season 1 had 13 episodes (based on standard initial order).

When does season 2 start?

• Season 2 premiered October 1, 2025, on ABC (TVLine, TV news site).
• New episodes air weekly on Wednesdays.

What this means: Viewers who missed the fall run can catch up on Hulu before the midseason episodes resume.

Is Shifting Gears on Netflix or Hulu?

Hulu is the exclusive streaming service for Shifting Gears. It is not available on Netflix or Prime Video (TVLine, TV news site).

Is Shifting Gears on Prime Video?

• No — Shifting Gears is not currently on Prime Video.

Is Shifting Gears on any other streaming service?

• No other streaming platforms have been announced.

The pattern: ABC parent company Disney owns Hulu, so exclusivity is a strategic move to drive subscriptions to its own streaming service.

Is Shifting Gears doing season 3?

Yes — ABC renewed Shifting Gears for a third season in April 2025, according to industry reports (Wikipedia, collaborative encyclopedia). The renewal came shortly after the season 2 announcement, signaling strong network confidence.

When was season 3 announced?

• Renewal for season 3 was announced in April 2025 (Wikipedia, collaborative encyclopedia).

Who is returning for season 3?

• Tim Allen and Kat Dennings are expected to return (TVLine, TV news site).
• Other series regulars likely to return based on season 2 continuity.

Why this matters: A third-season pickup this early suggests the show is pulling consistent ratings and aligns with ABC’s strategy for stable Wednesday night comedy programming.

Eight production details, one takeaway: Shifting Gears is built for longevity with a standard sitcom format and rapid renewal pattern.

How to watch Shifting Gears

Whether you prefer live TV or streaming, here are the steps to catch every episode.

1. Choose your method: Watch on ABC via cable, satellite, or an over-the-air antenna for free.
2. Go streaming: Subscribe to Hulu — the entire series is available the day after broadcast (TVLine, TV news site).
3. Check the schedule: New episodes air Wednesdays at 8/7c on ABC (TVLine, TV news site).
4. Binge past episodes: All aired episodes are available on Hulu on demand.
5. Set a reminder: Season 2 midseason resumed January 7, 2026 (Collider, entertainment news site).

Timeline of Shifting Gears announcements

• January 8, 2025 — Series premiere on ABC (TVLine, TV news site).
• Early 2025 — ABC renews the show for a second season (Wikipedia, collaborative encyclopedia).
• April 2025 — Renewal for season 3 announced (Wikipedia, collaborative encyclopedia).
• August 19, 2025 — Season 2 reportedly begins production (IMDb News, film industry news).
• October 1, 2025 — Season 2 premieres on ABC (TVLine, TV news site).
• January 7, 2026 — Season 2 midseason return (Collider, entertainment news site).
• 2026 (expected) — Season 3 likely airs.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s still unclear

What the critics and cast are saying

“It’s not good, but it’s not terrible.”

— USA Today review of Shifting Gears (USA Today, mainstream newspaper)

“Tim Allen and Kat Dennings star in father/daughter sitcom… a familiar recipe that still gets laughs.”

— TVLine preview (TVLine, TV news site)

For ABC, Shifting Gears is a reliable ratings performer in a time slot that needs stability. For viewers who miss network sitcoms with a laugh track and a warm family core, the show delivers exactly that — no more, no less. For cord-cutters, the Hulu exclusivity means a subscription is mandatory. The trade-off is clear: a classic sitcom experience requires a modern streaming payment.

Fans eager to know if the show will continue can check the latest on the Shifting Gears season 2 renewal for updates on cast and streaming.

Frequently asked questions

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