Shifting Gears season 2 ended with a number of main relationship updates, and showrunner Michelle Nader is revealing how these issues will impression the Tim Allen-led collection going ahead. The finale confirmed Riley Parker breaking apart with Andy and Gabe ending his relationship with Amelie.
Simply when it appeared like Riley and Gabe would find yourself collectively, Andy, performed by Gray’s Anatomy alum Jesse Williams, proved he wasn’t about to let her slip away. This difficult love triangle means Riley shall be compelled to cope with her emotions for Andy and Gabe subsequent season.
After the Shifting Gears season 2 finale aired, Nader spoke with TVLine about what all of this implies for the present’s future.
The showrunner admitted that her aim was at all times for Riley and Gabe to be collectively, however once they forged Williams as Andy, these plans have been thrown out the window as a result of the Gray’s Anatomy alum turned out to have nice chemistry with Kat Dennings and powerful comedic timing. Not even Nader is aware of what the long run holds for this love triangle.
“I actually don’t know. The plan was at all times to get Riley and Gabe collectively—after which Jesse Williams walked in and we have been like, ‘Holy s***.’ He is unbelievable. I joke with him that I found this unbelievable comedian expertise that is been hiding underneath all these dramatic roles. That actually stunned us. So the way it unfolds subsequent season? Your guess is pretty much as good as mine.”
Riley wasn’t the one one who needed to grapple with relationship drama, after all. Matt Parker reunited with Eve (Jenna Elfman) after which headed to the airport after they parted methods once more when he realized how a lot he cares about her.
Romantic relationships apart, Matt and Riley’s bond is the center of the collection. Nader stated that they’ve “an extended approach to go by way of understanding one another and accepting their variations.”
What’s shaking up their relationship is Eve, who’s a “catalyst” for the daddy and daughter duo in addition to a “fact teller.” When Matt and Riley are at odds with one another, Eve steps in to problem their respective narratives. “She’s a part of their therapeutic—and a part of their battle,” Nader revealed.
“Matt and Riley nonetheless have an extended approach to go by way of understanding one another and accepting their variations. Eve is a extremely fascinating catalyst for each of them—she’s form of a fact teller. She will not take sides, however she’s going to say what she actually thinks, and that may be good and unhealthy for them. They each dig their heels into their very own narratives, and Eve challenges that. She’s a part of their therapeutic—and a part of their battle.”
Whereas the connection drama is anticipated to proceed into the third season, ABC hasn’t renewed Shifting Gears but.
Nevertheless, if the community does give the go-ahead, Nader desires to convey again Riley’s brother, Sam Parker (Luke Macfarlane), as a result of she discovered the Brothers & Sisters alum to be “so humorous” and he felt so plausible as a part of the Parker household. Additionally, Allen “beloved working with him.”
“Luke is so humorous, and he match into that household instantly. I believed them instantly. Tim beloved working with him, and all of us beloved the concept of that character. I undoubtedly assume we’ll see extra of Uncle Sam—and his performing journey—in season 3.”
ABC ordered 10 episodes for the primary season of Shifting Gears and 13 episodes for the sophomore season that simply wrapped. Nader has no thought what number of episodes the community will order ought to the sitcom be renewed. Nevertheless, “as many as they offer us, I am going to fill them to the brim,” whether or not the episode depend is 10, 13 and even 22.
Whereas it is helpful to know the precise quantity “up entrance” so she will map out the complete season, she and her group of producers and writers will “determine it out” it doesn’t matter what occurs.
“I actually left behind any fastened expectations a very long time in the past. I really imply this: As many as they offer us, I am going to fill them to the brim. If it is 10, if it is 13, if it is 22—that is nice. The brand new regular is shorter orders, so I attempt to pack as a lot as potential into each episode since you simply do not know what number of you will get.”
“It does assist to know the quantity up entrance so I can plan the season. We did not know we have been getting three additional episodes this 12 months, so we needed to regulate the place we ended. But when they are saying, ‘You are getting extra,’ we’ll determine it out. That is a part of the job.”
After Allen starred on Residence Enchancment within the ’90s and Final Man Standing from 2011 to 2021, the comic returned to ABC alongside 2 Broke Ladies‘ Dennings for his or her newest sitcom, which debuted in 2025 and simply ended its second season.
Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis additionally star on Shifting Gears.
Williams is one in every of many well-known actors who’ve had recurring roles on Shifting Gears throughout its first two seasons. Others have included Elfman and Nancy Travis (from Final Man Standing).
As Nader talked about, Williams is greatest recognized for his dramatic work on reveals like Gray’s Anatomy and Station 19, however becoming a member of Shifting Gears has allowed the actor to showcase his comedic aspect as a part of a love triangle that the showrunner hopes to proceed subsequent season.
- Launch Date
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January 8, 2025
- Administrators
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John Pasquin, Victor González