Just because Tim Allen and Jenna Elfman‘s characters kissed on Shifting Gears doesn’t mean their onscreen romance won’t have ups and downs in season 2.
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the ABC Summer Soirée on Friday, September 5, showrunner Michelle Nader teased how Matt (Allen) and Eve (Elfman) are kicking it “into high gear” after solidifying their relationship.
“I will say that it is really interesting to watch them,” Nader teased about the season 2 dynamic. “It’s interesting to watch their relationship develop, and so they’re going to go into high gear — but it’s going to be a little bit of a roller-coaster.”
Nader hinted that viewers are in for some surprises. She also teased how the hit ABC sitcom will continue to have fun with little nods and Easter eggs related to each actor’s career.
“We were very intentional about those things because what we want to do in a modern sitcom is bring the elements of modern television — like serialization and streaming,” she explained. “So we felt like we really wanted to slow play these relationships in a romantic comedy way. So yes, you’re going to see some real results from those Easter eggs.”
Shifting Gears, which premiered in January, is set in a car restoration shop opened by Matt. After reuniting with his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the duo work on cars and repairing their relationship.
In the season 1 finale, the romance between Riley (Dennings) and Gabriel (Seann William Scott) hit a wall when he chose not to make a move following her split from her ex. Instead, in the last moments of the finale, Eve surprised Matt with a kiss.
Elfman, 53, told Us at the event that she was thrilled to get the chance to continue Eve’s story.
“I’m loving doing the show. I love working with everybody on it. I love the showrunner. It genuinely is like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop because I can’t believe how good it is. I’m very excited for everyone to see it,” she gushed. “I have to say I’m blown away by the writing this year. They’re writing for each actor and for their character so well. The stories are sincerely hilarious. Like, at work, we’re all doubled over laughing repeatedly.”
Elfman continued: “Just as a performer and as someone in this industry, I’m blown away at how good the comedy is on this show this year. So that makes me very excited for everyone at home because I know they’re going to have a great laugh with their family.”
The actress, who shares two sons with husband Bodhi Elfman, has gotten to see the show being received well in real time, adding, “I watch the show with my husband and my two teenage boys. My boys usually don’t enjoy watching what I’m in because they’re like, ‘I don’t know. It’s weird. You’re my mom, and then I see you as somebody. I don’t like it.’ [But with Shifting Gears], they’re like, ‘This is a really good show,’ which is a great litmus test for me.”
Shifting Gears returns to ABC Wednesday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.
