Kat Dennings and Tim Allen quickly formed a strong bond on the set of their new sitcom, Shifting Gears. Dennings shared that their connection was instant and organic, which made filming their scenes together fun and fearless. The show follows widowed father Matt, played by Allen, and his estranged daughter Riley, played by Dennings, as they navigate their relationship. This marks Dennings’ return to multi-camera comedy after nearly a decade since her role on 2 Broke Girls.
Returning to multi-camera comedy initially made Dennings feel scared and worried that she had forgotten everything. However, once filming started, she felt as though she had never left and was able to slip back into the role seamlessly. Working with showrunner Michelle Nader, who Dennings previously worked with on 2 Broke Girls and Dollface, added to the familiarity and comfort of the set. The sitcom also features guest appearances from familiar faces, including Brenda Song, adding to the fun behind-the-scenes dynamic of the show.
In addition to Dennings and Allen, the show stars Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis. Fans have already picked up on potential chemistry between Dennings and Scott’s characters, and Dennings expressed an interest in seeing that relationship develop over multiple seasons. Filming Shifting Gears has been a magical experience for Dennings, who had wished for a project like this, and felt fortunate when it materialized. The actress feels lucky to be working with Allen, whom she grew up watching on Home Improvement.
Reflecting on her time on set, Dennings described filming as a “magical situation” and expressed her excitement about living out her dream of being on a sitcom again. She mentioned the special connection she shares with Allen and the rest of the cast and crew, highlighting the positive and collaborative atmosphere on set. Shifting Gears premieres on ABC on January 8 and will also be available for streaming on Hulu the following day, giving fans a chance to see Dennings and Allen’s on-screen chemistry in action. With a strong storyline, talented cast, and a touch of nostalgia from Dennings’ past projects, Shifting Gears promises to be an enjoyable and entertaining watch for viewers.
