Shifting Gears Season 2: Everything We Know

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TVLine is rounding up everything we know about Season 2 of father-daughter comedy Shifting Gears, starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings.

The ABC sitcom casts the Home Improvement and Last Man Standing star as Matt, “the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop,” according to the official logline. “When his estranged daughter, Riley (2 Broke Girls’ Dennings), and her kids move into his house, the real restoration begins.”

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In the Shifting Gears Season 1 finale, which aired March 19, an inebriated (and newly single) Riley attempted to plant one on Gabe, but he resisted, explaining that, if they ever were to become more than friends, he would want it to happen at the “right time.”

Meanwhile, back at her dance studio, Eve admitted that she dinged Matt’s car in an effort to get his attention, then kissed Riley’s dad — who, just a few episodes prior, was still overcome with grief surrounding the loss of his wife, Diane.

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So, what will happen in Season 2 — and, more importantly, when will it premiere? What follows is an overview of casting news, plot intel and release information.

When Does Shifting Gears Season 2 Premiere?

Shifting Gears Season 2 premieres Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8 pm on ABC. Episodes will stream next day on Hulu.

What Is Shifting Gears Season 2 About?

As first disclosed in TVLine’s Fall TV Preview, when Shifting Gears Season 2 begins, Riley is officially divorced from Jimmy — and setting her sights on a new relationship. “She is going to make an attempt to give it a shot with Gabe,” showrunner Michelle Nader said. Of course, nothing’s ever that easy: “There’s a lot of will they/won’t they this season.” Eventually, Riley’s brother Sam — whom Nader calls a “linchpin” in the Riley/Gabe relationship — will be introduced.

What’s more, Season 2 will continue to explore Matt and Eve’s “volatile, sexy, antagonistic relationship.”

How Many Episodes Will There Be in Shifting Gears Season 2?

Shifting Gears Season 2 will consist of 13 episodes — up three episodes from its Season 1 order of 10 episodes.

Who Is Returning for Shifting Gears Season 2?

Shifting Gears’ Season 2 cast will consist of returning series regulars Tim Allen as Matt, Kat Dennings as Riley, Seann William Scott as Gabriel, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch, Maxwell Simkins as Carter and Barrett Margolis as Georgia.

Recurring guest stars include Jenna Elfman as Matt’s love interest — and Riley’s boss — Eve.

Allen’s Last Man Standing co-star, Nancy Travis, will reprise her Season 1 guest role as spirited widow Charlotte.

Which Guest Stars Are New to Shifting Gears Season 2?

Shifting Gears’ Season 2 premiere will double as a Home Improvement reunion: Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn and Debbe Dunning will guest-star in Episode 1 and support Matt in a surprising way.

Meanwhile, TVLine exclusively reported that Lilly Singh (A Little Late, The Muppets Mayhem) will play Jen, Riley’s new friend. The two moms click instantly, but their budding relationship is derailed by “unexpected mama drama,” per the official character breakdown.

Additional Season 2 guest stars (per Variety) include Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias (The Santa Clauses) and Lori Greiner (Shark Tank) and former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts — all of whom will appear as themselves.