Tim Allen New Show: Cast, Plot, and Where to Watch

Lead: What’s happening now

Tim Allen’s latest sitcom, Shifting Gears, is airing its second season on ABC as of early 2026. Filming wrapped in December 2025, and the show is scheduled to return as part of the winter TV lineup this month (cinemablend.com). This renewal follows an impressive first-season debut, making Shifting Gears a noteworthy addition to Allen’s post-Home Improvement career.

Why it matters now

Shifting Gears marks another career milestone for the 72-year-old actor. It connects his past sitcom success with new material. The show’s return now matters because it tests whether Allen’s brand of multigenerational comedy still resonates with audiences (nypost.com). The timing also aligns with a nostalgic resurgence in television programming.

Background and show details

The series premiered on January 8, 2025, on ABC, with episodes available on Hulu and Disney+ the day after broadcast (en.wikipedia.org). Allen plays Matt Parker, a widowed classic car restorer, whose estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), and her teenage kids move in (en.wikipedia.org). The show was created by Mike and Julie Thacker Scully, with Michelle Nader stepping in as showrunner (thewrap.com).

Beyond Allen and Dennings, the main cast includes Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis (en.wikipedia.org).

Season 2 developments and viewer traction

Season 2 premiered on October 1, 2025, following a strong Season 1 performance (en.wikipedia.org). The show remains available on Hulu for streaming. Season 1 drew nearly 17 million viewers across platforms in its first week—a record for ABC—and sustained strong digital engagement (en.wikipedia.org). Season 2 has 13 episodes, up from 10, signaling network confidence (es.wikipedia.org).

‘Home Improvement’ Reunion: Nostalgia pays off

In a move that surprised plenty of fans, Home Improvement alums Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning appeared in the Shifting Gears Season 2 premiere on October 1, 2025 (ew.com). While not a reboot, the mini-reunion added a nostalgic touch. It underscored Allen’s enduring appeal and provided continuity with his earlier TV legacy (collider.com).

Behind the scenes

Allen recently announced that filming for Season 2 has wrapped, describing the experience as “blessed” and noting his gratitude for the cast, crew, and live-audience format (cinemablend.com). However, ABC has not yet confirmed a Season 3 pickup. Viewership dropped from about 6.1 million same-day viewers at debut to around 3.8 million by Season 1’s close, though overall numbers remained healthy across platforms (cinemablend.com).

In reflecting on his career arc, Allen also admitted he found it challenging to mentor his Home Improvement child actors early in the 1990s. That stance contrasts with his role on Shifting Gears, where generational tensions are central to the story (nypost.com).

What’s next for the show

Fans and ABC are now watching early 2026 ratings closely. Offseason feedback, streaming numbers, and audience retention will likely determine whether Shifting Gears earns a third season. Allen’s wrapped filming, but the final decision remains pending (cinemablend.com).

The reunion angle and live-audience energy could deliver further traction. And if the show maintains its digital engagement, ABC may greenlight another season—but that’s not decided yet.

---

Main Points
– Shifting Gears Season 2 wrapped in December 2025 and returns January 2026 on ABC.
– Allen plays a widowed car-restorer anchoring a multigenerational family storyline.
– The show streams next day on Hulu/Disney+ and saw strong debut viewership.
– Season 2 features a nostalgic Home Improvement reunion, though no reboot.
– A third season is possible, contingent on early 2026 ratings and viewer engagement.

Overall, Shifting Gears continues Tim Allen’s resilient TV presence. Its future now hinges on whether audiences keep watching in 2026.