Jenna Elfman Joins Tim Allen in Multi-Camera Comeback for “Shifting Gears”
The ensemble of Tim Allen and Kat Dennings’s upcoming ABC sitcom Shifting Gears is expanding.
Jenna Elfman is reportedly joining the cast in a recurring role, as per Deadline. At 53, Elfman will portray the lively choreographer Eve Drake, who operates a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop owned by Allen’s character, Matt.
This role signals Elfman’s return to multi-camera comedies after her five-season performance alongside Thomas Gibson on Dharma & Greg. Post the show’s conclusion in 2002, she appeared in Courting Alex, Accidentally on Purpose, 1600 Penn, Growing Up Fisher, and Imaginary Mary. Her guest spots include Fear the Walking Dead, Will Trent, and Dark Winds.
Shifting Gears centers on widowed father Matt and his estranged daughter, Riley (Dennings), as they navigate their new living situation and strive to mend their broken relationship. Besides Allen, Dennings, and Elfman, the primary cast features Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis.
This new ABC series follows Allen’s previous sitcom, Last Man Standing, which concluded its nine-season run three years ago. Prior to Last Man Standing, Allen, 71, was recognized for portraying Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, which aired from 1991 to 1999.
“What keeps me going is the word ‘grateful.’ I adore my work. The joy I gain from entertaining people far outweighs any monetary gain,” Allen exclusively shared with Us Weekly in 2020. “I cherish our live audience. I remind them every evening that this is classic television, the essence of what broadcasting began as. The future is uncertain, but this [show] is a rarity.”
He stated: “We’ve followed the same format as with Home Improvement. It’s fundamentally about relationships — we steer clear of topical content. However, I have daughters, so there’s a unique perspective as a man surrounded by strong women. We never mock each other; it’s a loving family dynamic. I appreciate that we can both honor and humorously touch on themes like marriage, parenting, and life concerns without being cynical.”
Dennings, 38, also boasts a strong television presence, having portrayed Max in CBS’ sitcom 2 Broke Girls from 2011 to 2017. Shifting Gears has also enlisted showrunner Michelle Nader, who collaborated with Dennings on CBS’ 2 Broke Girls and Hulu’s Dollface.
Nader took over from Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully, who worked as writers and executive producers on the Shifting Gears pilot but departed prior to the project getting picked up by ABC.
Shifting Gears is set to premiere on ABC on Wednesday, January 8, at 8 p.m. ET, with streaming available the following day on Hulu.
