Kat Dennings’s Shifting Gears: Season 1 Ending Explained, Season 2 Renewal, & What’s next for Riley & Matt

The Shifting Gears season one finale didn’t just close out emotional arcs — it revved up anticipation for the road ahead. ABC’s hit multi-cam sitcom starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings wrapped its freshman season on a heartfelt note, balancing family drama, romantic tension, and some surprising character developments. 

Now, with a second season officially on the way, fans can expect even more laughs, growing pains, and mismatched father-daughter dynamics as Riley and Matt Parker steer into new territory.

Matt and Eve Finally Shift into Something more

After a season of playful rivalry and unresolved tension, Matt and Eve’s relationship took a romantic turn in the finale. Their kiss — sparked after a night of mutual support for Riley — marked a long-awaited emotional payoff. For Matt, who’s still grappling with grief and adjusting to his daughter's chaotic return, the budding romance adds a fresh dimension to his character. Their enemies-to-maybe-lovers arc was one of the finale’s most unexpected delights.

Riley & Gabe’s Almost kiss Leaves an Emotional dent

With her divorce from Jimmy finally in motion, Riley’s romantic future is wide open. She and Gabe nearly kiss after a party, but Gabe pulls back, sensing that Riley may be too intoxicated to make a real choice. Still, their chemistry is undeniable, and with Jimmy out of the picture, the groundwork is set for a possible slow-burn romance in season two — assuming Riley remembers anything the next day.

Riley & Matt: Stronger than ever

While much of season one showcased father-daughter friction, the finale showed real growth between Riley and Matt. When Matt restores Riley’s beloved GTO, it’s not just a car repair — it’s a symbol of support. Matt’s heartfelt confession that he enjoys having his daughter and grandkids around hints at a new chapter for their relationship, one rooted in mutual respect rather than constant conflict.

Shifting Gears Season 2 is Officially Happening

ABC has officially renewed Shifting Gears for a ten-episode second season. The renewal follows a season of impressive multi-platform performance, with nearly 17 million viewers tuning in during the premiere week — making it ABC’s most successful new series launch in over six years. While ratings dipped over time, the show’s strong overall numbers and Tim Allen’s long-standing relationship with the network helped secure its future. (via Deadline)

Shifting Gears was reportedly on the bubble alongside Doctor Odyssey, but with no new comedy pilots on ABC’s docket and The Conners ending, the network needed to preserve its comedy lineup. The return of Tim Allen and the sitcom’s cross-generational appeal made it an easy bet.

Behind the Scenes: Kat Dennings on-set Harmony and Tim Allen’s Legacy

For Dennings, Shifting Gears marked a surprising return to sitcom roots. Despite playing a character from the opposite side of the political spectrum, Dennings found the on-set experience unexpectedly harmonious.

“I'm not what you call a super positive person,” she told IndieWire. “I kind of expect the worst, and then I’m pleasantly surprised. I don’t know. It’s a bad tactic. I need therapy. But I wasn’t expecting this kind of harmony on set,” she added.

She praised Allen’s collaborative energy and the consistency of a crew that’s followed him for decades. Dennings, who grew up watching Home Improvement, was excited to play the liberal foil to Allen’s conservative dad figure.

The show, while rooted in political opposites, often emphasizes humor and humanity over heavy-handed messaging.

“It’s representing something that happens in a lot of families, which is somebody has one political view and one set of beliefs and one kind of style, and the other person has the opposite. What does that look like when you love someone, but you disagree with them in so many ways?,” Dennings said. “The answer is comedy, in this case,” she added.

As a live studio audience sitcom, Shifting Gears also stands out in the current TV landscape. “You are a character in our show because you can hear the audience,” she added. “It’s infectious.”

What’s next for Shifting Gears Season 2?

While no official plot details have been released, the season one finale clearly sets up several arcs. Matt and Eve’s new relationship, Riley’s fresh start, and her potential romance with Gabe all provide ample material. With the creative team and stars returning, the show is likely to further explore the emotional and comedic push-pull between characters who deeply disagree but deeply care.

As American families continue to navigate political division, Shifting Gears offers a timely — if cozy — reminder that love and laughter can still bring people together, even when worldviews collide.

Season two is expected to arrive midseason, and with Allen and Dennings firmly in the driver’s seat, this odd-couple comedy shows no signs of slowing down. 

Shifting Gears season one is available for streaming on ABC and Hulu.