Tim Allen’s SHIFTING GEARS Adds New Cast Member
By Movieguide® Contributor
GOON star Seann William Scott will costar alongside Tim Allen and Kat Dennings in the upcoming sitcom SHIFTING GEARS.
The series stars Allen as Matt, “the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. When Matt’s estranged daughter (Dennings) and her teenage kids move into his house, the real restoration begins,” the logline reads.
Scott will play Gabriel, a family friend who works with Matt in the shop, Variety reports.
Scott recently appeared in the TV adaption of LETHAL WEAPON in addition to the movies ROLE MODELS and THE DUKES OF HAZZARD.
Screenrant reported that Scott might be the “wildcard” that could be a key to the show’s success.
“[T]he addition of a seasoned movie star like Scott could be the x-factor required to take the show to new heights,” Screenrant wrote. “Much will depend on the chemistry of the two stars, who will seemingly share a lot of screen time as their characters will be working closely with one another.”
Allen, who is also executive producer on SHIFTING GEARS and is his third sitcom (HOME IMPROVEMENT, LAST MAN STANDING) on ABC, told ET he is “geeked” about his new show.
“I am very excited,” Allen said. “You know, I tried really hard with HOME IMPROVEMENT, and then LAST MAN STANDING. Maybe three’s a charm! Maybe I can finally make a statement with this.
“It was a big event for me, ’cause I really loved HOME IMPROVEMENT, [so] to do LAST MAN STANDING was a big push, and then I love that family so much,” Allen added. “But then ABC said, ‘If you come up with an idea,’ and I said, ‘If I did it, it would be this.’ And we came up with this idea, and we’re getting there.”
Allen’s new comedy doesn’t have a set premier date but is expected to debut in 2025. Shooting is to begin this November.
Movieguide® previously reported on Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis joining the cast:
Simkins’ previous projects include THE MIGHTY DUCKS: GAME CHANGERS, BIZAARDVARK and A.P. BIO for TV and HOME TEAM, THE SLEEPOVER, BOOK OF HENRY and LOVE THE COOPERS for movies.
“So happy and honored to get to work on such an incredible show with such incredible people!!! This is just the beginning… can’t wait to get to work!!:),” he posted following the casting announcement.
As for Margolis, SHIFTING GEARS serves as her debut as an actress.
The show marks Allen’s third series with ABC. He has been itching to return to the network since his previous show, LAST MAN STANDING, ended in 2021.