The ABC sitcom “Shifting Gears” has finally cast Tim Allen’s son.
There have been mentions of Matt Parker’s (Allen) Navy hero son Sam on “Shifting Gears,” but viewers have never seen him in person. That will change later this season when Luke Macfarlane joins the cast as Sam.
Macfarlane is known for playing Scotty Wandell on the ABC television drama “Brothers & Sisters” from 2006-2011. His other past roles include the 2022 movie “Bros,” the Canadian TV series “Killjoys” and Hallmark Channel films including “Catch Me If You Claus” and “Notes of Autumn.”
Luke Macfarlane.Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP
Season 2 of “Shifting Gears” premiered in October. The series follows Matt Parker, an auto restoration shop owner who reluctantly takes in his estranged, newly-divorced daughter Riley (Kat Dennings) and his two grandchildren (Maxwell Simkons and Barrett Margolis). Seann William Scott and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell also star as Gabriel and Stitch, mechanics in Matt’s shop.
“Shifting Gears” showrunner Michelle Nader teased Macfarlane’s addition to the cast back in March.
“We hope to introduce Sam in Season 2. We think he will be another fun casting opportunity and a great character for everyone to complain to,” Nader told TVLine at the time.
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Allen has been an iconic TV dad for decades, starring as the patriarch on the sitcoms “Home Improvement” (1991-1999) and “Last Man Standing” (2011-2021) before “Shifting Gears” debuted in January.
During a January interview with People, Dennings pointed out that most of Allen’s crew has followed him from project to project, which she called “a real testament to him as a person.”
Dennings went on to express appreciation for her “very funny banter” with Allen as well as the actor’s warm disposition.
“He’s a big part of my consciousness growing up, so it was very surreal to work with him, but in a great way because he’s a very kind person,” she said.
“Shifting Gears” airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu the day after they air.