By Michaela Gordoni
Luke Macfarlane just joined the SHIFTING GEARS Season 2 cast as Tim Allen’s character’s son.
Macfarlane will guest star as Sam Parker, who has been mentioned several times throughout the show but is yet to be seen onscreen.
Macfarlane is known for his roles in PLATONIC, BROTHERS & SISTERS, MERCY STREET and HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, Deadline says.
The 45-year-old will make his appearance on the show in 2026, ScreenRant reports.
Related: SHIFTING GEARS: Episode 1.1: “Restoration”
“We hope to introduce Sam in Season 2,” showrunner Michelle Nader told TVLine earlier this year. “We think he will be another fun casting opportunity and a great character for everyone to complain to!”
Allen’s character, Matt, is a widower and car restoration shop owner who rebuilds his relationship with his estranged daughter. He is not like other roles that Allen has played before. Allen strongly relates to him.
“This is a new character and it’s much closer to [who I am]. I’ve been through grief in my life with losing my father,” Allen said. “I’ve been blessed to be a comedian and so that’s who this [character] is. If I did it again, I wanted to get as much closer to the [man] that I am.”
He also said, “[Matt’s] more like me. I’m more of an artist. I was a design student and a philosopher and my stand-up comedy is really about messing with people in a good way.”
Jenna Elfman plays choreographer Eve Drake, Matt’s girlfriend.
“From the very beginning, [the creative team has said] that we’ve never seen Tim Allen in a sitcom with a romantic interest. And I said, ‘Well, I’ve just lost my wife, so I don’t see it.’ So I love where we are,” Allen told Us. “I said, ‘If it happens over time and happens organically with two people that do not get along, then it is OK.’
“I just am really cautious about this. I just want it to happen where it’s organic and proper,” he stressed.
The last episode, guest starring Pamela Adlon and titled “Nutcracker,” came out on Dec. 10. The logline reads, “This holiday season, the Parkers discover that romance isn’t always a smooth ride as Matt and Eve are on thin ice, Gabe enlists Riley to help Amelie impress his mom, and Carter seeks help with his ‘promposal.’”
The show is currently on a holiday hiatus until next month. Starting Jan. 7, you can watch SHIFTING GEARS on Wednesdays at 8PM on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
Read Next: Tim Allen Thanks Fans for Making SHIFTING GEARS No. 1 Comedy
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