A new addition is increasing enthusiasm for Gear changeas a major actor joins the cast of the ABC multi-camera comedy in a recurring role. Starring Tim Allen as Matt, the widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, Gear change in fact, it's more about repairing broken family ties than repairing cars. The series follows Matt as his daughter Riley (Kat Dennings) and his two teenage sons move away, changing his life and pushing him toward a heartfelt reconciliation. Gear change also features Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis in lead roles.
Deadline recently shared that Jenna Elfman will join the cast of Gear change. Best known for her Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated performance Dharma and GregElfman will play Eve Drake, a vivacious choreographer and owner of the dance studio located across from Matt's store. The series, directed by 2 broken girls showrunner Michelle Nader, premieres January 8, airing in the coveted 8 p.m. time slot where many classic ABC series such as Dharma and Greg, once prospered.
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The addition of Elfman to Gear change marks the actress' return to multi-camera comedy, a genre where she made a lasting impact with her starring role as flower child Dharma in Dharma and Gregwhich aired from 1997 to 2002. Her rumored casting as Eve Drake seems poised to imbue a lively dynamic into Gear change, potentially as a hippie figure to mediate the tension between Matt and Riley while learning how to be in each other's lives again.
This move reunites Elfman with ABC and 20th Television, the same network and studio behind Dharma and Gregfor which the actor received the Golden Globe for Best Actress in 1999. By bringing in a seasoned sitcom veteran, Gear change is redoubling its appeal to those who love character-based humor with a nostalgic twist. For example, many viewers knew Allen from the 1990s ABC sitcom Home improvementwhile Dennings established herself in 2010s sitcoms such as doll face and 2 broken girls.
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Elfman's casting is a win for Gear changeas his comedic timing and charismatic screen presence are sure to resonate with audiences. Elfman's return to the multi-camera comedy format seems like a natural fit, especially given its history in the genre. By bringing it together with ABC, Gear change explores nostalgia with a new and exciting story. If her role receives the depth and screen time it deserves, Eve could become a fan-favorite character who not only enriches Matt's world but also provides a spark of her own in this promising comedy.
Source: Deadline
Matt, a widower and stubborn owner of a classic car restoration shop, has his life turned upside down when his estranged daughter, Riley, and her teenage sons move in with him. As they try to repair their strained relationships, the family also faces the challenges of keeping the business afloat.
- Character(s)
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Matt, Riley, Ed, Carter, Georgia
- Seasons
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1
- Launch window
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2025