Shifting Gears’ Emmy-Nominated Sitcom Star Breaks Down Tim Allen Reunion & Her “Dynamic, Strong” Character

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Shifting Gears season 1, episode 7!Shifting Gears' Emmy-nominated sitcom star Jenna Elfman has unpacked her reunion with Tim Allen, examining her "dynamic, strong" character. Elfman guest starred on the cast of Shifting Gearsin season 1, episode 7, portraying a choreographer named Eve who owns a dance studio on the same street as Matt's (Allen) auto repair shop. The pair conflict during the episode, but manage to have an amicable conversation by the time the show comes to a close. Elfman previously starred alongside Allen since the 2009 comedy film The Six Wives of Henry Lefay.

Speaking with ScreenRant about her role on Shifting Gears, Elfman explained her excitement at having a role on the sitcom opposite Allen after having not worked with him for 17-and-a-half years. The actor said she discussed Eve's characterization with showrunner Michelle Nader, who wanted to put a strong female character on display in the show. She discussed how Eve's experiences defined her strengths in the series, informing moments of characterization. Check out what Elfman had to say below:

It's the first time creatively reuniting since The Six Wives of Henry Lefay with Tim Allen, yeah. That was 17 and a half years ago. My first son was five weeks old when I went to do that movie, and Tim and Jane had us over for dinner, and they're just lovely. And when this came up to do, I was like, “Okay.”
I always wanted to see a good sitcom come back. I do love a great sitcom. [It’s] very hard to do, and it's very hard to get all the pieces right from the acting to the writing and the tone and what it's about, and Tim's, like, the perfect person. It does feel like this great reinvention that feels topical to our lives now. I got very excited that when they reached out to me to come play.
I think the main thing with Eve that Michelle Nader, the showrunner, and I discussed when she wanted me to come do this–and she was a writer on Dharma & Greg and I know her–she kind of wanted to re-look at, “What does a strong woman look like on television? Can we please have all the colors?” [It’s] not just like the strong woman is somehow one-note because that's a big old lie.
She really wanted to bring all the component parts, all the things that make a woman amazing, dynamic, strong, and [we talked about], “What does that look like? How does that actually manifest?” And it was everything that interests me. So that, I think, is what Eve is. She is confident. She's had plenty of experiences. She's creative, she's a choreographer, dancer, business owner, and she's confident. She has a confidence to occupy space. She doesn't apologize for existing and neither does she ask permission to exist or express her opinions. And I just think it's super cool.

What Elfman's Statement Says About Her Shifting Gears Character

Eve Offers A Strong Lens For The Sitcom's Evolution

Eve and Matt looking at each other in Shifting Gears season 1, episode 7

While Eve and Matt had a feud during episode 7, the pair ended up having a compassionate conversation with one another at the end, even if everything wasn't finished between them. The new character also worked with the protagonist's daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), the pair becoming close despite the latter's father holding a grudge against Elfman's character. The choreographer also has her own problems revealed in Shifting Gears' story, such as her husband leaving her for someone on TikTok.

Blended image of Jenna Elfman in front of a red car for Shifting Gears

Tim Allen’s Shifting Gears Feud In Season 1, Episode 7 Explained By Actor Jenna Elfman: "The Lines Could Get Blurry"

ScreenRant interviews guest star Jenna Elfman about reuniting with Tim Allen and what fans can expect from the Shifting Gears season 1 finale.

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Based on Elfman's statement, it seems like Eve's future appearances will continue to emphasize her strengths as a woman with her own dance studio. While this could make her a sympathetic adversary to Matt, their open conversation with one another also hints the pair could make up by the season's end. This is especially true because she'll be appearing in the season finale, possibly setting the stage for a possible Shifting Gears season 2 where the duo aren't at each other's throats. The extent of their potential to make up, however, remains unclear for right now.

Elfman's most notable role in recent years was as June Dorie in Fear the Walking Dead.

Our Take On Elfman's Reunion With Allen In Shifting Gears

The Actors Play Off One Another Quite Well

Based on the interactions between Matt and Eve throughout episode 7, it's evident that Elfman and Allen play off one another quite well onscreen. Their chemistry makes their feud all the more engaging, while adding excitement knowing the guest star will be recurring in future episodes. It's not clear how their story together in Shifting Gears is going to evolve as the season continues, but so far, it seems to be moving in a positive direction that could also their character dynamics as the show continues.

Shifting Gears airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.