Shifting Gearshas aired its series premiere, and the cast is filled with familiar faces. ABC’s newest sitcom marks Tim Allen’s return to network television, but many supporting characters are played by actors who have worked with Allen before. Others have experience with co-star Kat Dennings in her varied projects, while a select few are breaking into the world of sitcoms withShifting Gears. The basicstory of Tim Allen’sShifting Gearsfollows an estranged father (Allen’s Matt) and daughter (Dennings’ Riley) who reconnect when the daughter moves home with her two children amidst a divorce.
While the pilot episode ofShifting Gearsearned negative reviews, the show’s impressive array of actors garnered a sizable following. The classic sitcom format ofShifting Gearsleaves the door open for endless additional guest stars and cameos as the series progresses, but the main and recurring cast is already filled with heavy hitters.The cast ofShifting Gearsincludes established names and emerging talentalike, with a young breakout star in the main family.
Tim Allen as Matt
Born August 13, 2025
Tim Allen was born in Denver, Colorado before moving to Birmingham, Michigan at age 13. He began his comedy career while in college by performing at local comedy shows. Allen gained recognition for his stand-up routines before eventually making his film debut in 1988’sTropical Storm.Three years later,Allen’s career took off thanks to his portrayal as Tim Taylor inHome Improvement.Throughout the 90s, Allen expanded his filmography with roles like Buzz Lightyear in theToy Storyfilm series. In 2011, Allen starred in his second sitcom,Last Man Standing.Since then, he has continued reprising franchise roles.
1991-1999
1994
1995
1999
Christmas with the Kranks
2004
Mike Baxter
2011-2021
Allen plays Matt, a widower and owner of an auto repair and restoration shop. Matt is Riley’s father and the grandfather of Georgia and Carter. Though he clashes with his daughter due to his pessimistic philosophy, the love he possesses for his family pushes him to compromise. Both him and his daughter are still grieving his late wife.
2008
2011-2017
2017-2020
Jules Wiley
2019-2022
Dennings plays Riley, daughter of Matt and mother of Carter and Georgia. Riley ran away as a pregnant teenager, taking Matt’s prized car with her. She returns home and moves in with her father after deciding to divorce her estranged husband, Jimmy. While she was voted"Mean for No Reason"in high school, motherhood has somewhat mellowed Riley out.
Seann William Scott as Gabriel
Born July 18, 2025
Seann William Scott was born the youngest of seven children in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. After spending his entire life in the Midwest, Scott relocated to California in the 90s to pursue acting. After a few years of working to support himself,Seann Williams Scott earned his breakout role of Steve Stiflerin the mainAmerican Piemovies. To diversify his on-screen roles, Scott branched out the next year with appearances in horror exemplarFinal Destinationand cult classicDude, Where’s My Car?in 2000. Since then, Scott has portrayed mostly comedic roles and shifted his acting niche to television projects.
2000
2003
2005
Wheeler
Seann William Scott portrays Gabriel, one of Matt’s employees at the auto shop. Gabriel was childhood friends with Riley’s brother who, while less intelligent than his coworkers, displays kindness and patience. According to Riley, Gabriel puts Matt on a pedestal and views him as a personal hero.
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as Stitch
Born July 29, 2025
Daryl“Chill”Mitchell was born in The Bronx, New York City’s northernmost borough. Mitchell originally pursued a music career in a group called“Groove B. Chill,”but pivoted to acting following his 1990 film debut inHouse Party.In 2010, Mitchell won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his work inBrothers. Since then, he has landed various roles in television shows and films, butnone are as well-known as Mitchell’s portrayal of Wendell inFear the Walking Dead,the true starting point of theWalking Deadfranchise.
2009
2014-2021
Wendell
2018-2022
Mitchell portrays Stitch, another one of Matt’s employees. Stitch is a wheelchair user, and he utilizes his chair to quickly escape what he calls Matt’s"Hell in a handbasket"rants. He works in close proximity to both Frankie and Gabriel.
Maxwell Simkins as Carter
Born July 01, 2025
Maxwell Simkins was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and immediately displayed a precocious sense of creativity. At age 8, Simkins earned his first role in 2014’sAnd So It Goes, acting alongside Diane Keaton and Michael Douglas.Simkins was a standout performer in Disney Channel’sBizaardvarkas Zane, his recurring role. In 2019, he landed a supporting role inKim Possible, a Disney Channel Original Movie adapted from the hit 2000s cartoon. Since then, Simkins has starred in Netflix’sThe Sleepoverand portrayed Nick inThe Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.
2014
2018-2019
2019
2020
Nick Ganz
2021-2022
Simkins plays Riley’s elder child, Carter. Carter is an anxious teenager who relies on technology to stay connected to his old friends. He attempts to use his tech skills to help Matt grow an online presence for his shop.
Shifting Gears Supporting Cast & Characters
Barrett Margolis, Brenda Song, And Cynthia Quiles Complete The Cast
Barrett Margolis as Georgia- Georgia is Riley’s youngest child.Shifting Gearsis Margolis' acting debut.
Brenda Song as Caitlyn- Caitlyn is a high school assistant principal. She is remembered as London Tipton inThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody, but Song joined Dennings inDollfaceand played Mary-Anne in 2024’s award-winningThe Last Showgirl.
Cynthia Quiles as Frankie- Frankie is the third employee at Matt’s restoration shop. Quiles is known for portraying Brenda inWhy Women Killand a brief stint onDynasty. Together, they round out the illustrious cast ofShifting Gears.
Shifting Gears
Shifting Gears is a drama about Matt, a widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. Matt’s estranged daughter Riley and her teenage children move into his home, challenging him to rebuild both familial and personal connections.
