Dating History of the Shifting Gears Cast: Tim Allen, Jenna Elfman, and Others
The Shifting Gears cast has enjoyed greater success in their love lives than their on-screen characters.
Shifting Gears, which debuted in January 2025, introduced Us to a car restoration shop launched by Tim Allen’s character, Matt. After reconnecting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the two work on cars and mend their relationship.
The inaugural season of the popular ABC sitcom had viewers rooting for several on-screen romances. The chemistry between Riley and Gabriel (Seann William Scott) captured everyone’s attention, but the actors emphasized that Shifting Gears is designed for a slow-burning relationship.
“We clicked instantly. We really hit it off and share a lot of common interests; I often help you with your phone,” Dennings humorously shared with Us Weekly exclusively in March 2025. Scott added, “When we were filming, it felt one way. When we weren’t, we immediately became friends, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is such a gift.’ It’s not just about doing this show; it brought me a dear friend for life. I’ve never felt chemistry like this before.”
Additionally, there’s Matt’s budding relationship with Eve (Jenna Elfman), which culminates in a kiss during the season one finale.
“You’ll see more of the dynamic between Matt and Eve,” Elfman teased to Us in February 2025. “Expect more direct communication, opinions, and exchanges. You’ll witness the characters being their true selves around each other. It’s truly enjoyable.”
Meanwhile, the off-screen romance among the cast has flourished as well. Keep scrolling to discover more about the love lives of the Shifting Gears cast:
Tim Allen
Allen was married to Laura Deibel from 1984 to 2003, during which they welcomed daughter Katherine in 1989. He later started a relationship with Jane Hajduk, marrying in 2006 after several years of dating. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 2009.
Kat Dennings
Dennings previously dated her 2 Broke Girls co-star Nick Zano from 2011 to 2014. She was also linked to Josh Groban before meeting Andrew W.K. in 2021. After less than a year of dating, Dennings and W.K. got engaged and married in 2023.
Seann William Scott
Scott, who portrays Gabriel, dated former Victoria’s Secret model Deanna Miller from 2005 to 2008. He became engaged to Lindsay Frimodt in 2012, but they ended their relationship one year later. Scott married Olivia Korenberg in 2019, and they later welcomed a daughter. However, in 2024, Scott filed for divorce.
Daryl ‘Chill’ Mitchell
Mitchell shares four children with his wife, Carol. He currently plays Stitch in Shifting Gears.
Jenna Elfman
Before joining Shifting Gears as Eve, Elfman found love with Bodhi Elfman. The couple dated for several years before marrying in 1995 and later expanded their family.
Lucas Neff
The actor, who portrays Riley’s estranged husband, was previously married to Caitlin Stasey from 2016 to 2020.
