Kat Dennings Shares Instant Connection with Tim Allen on 'Shifting Gears'

Kat Dennings and Tim Allen forged a strong bond reflecting their roles in Shifting Gears. Dennings shared that the connection formed quickly.

"It clicked pretty fast. After I accepted the role, we had lunch. I felt immediately like I could trust him," Dennings, 38, said in Us Weekly. She noted that Allen soon opened up to her, making her feel welcome.

Deepening Their Relationship

Dennings emphasized the quick development of their relationship. "We just clicked. I’ve watched him all my life, and it felt so organic," she recalled. Thanks to their rapport, filming became a joyful experience. "The arguments are my favorite scenes because we both have no fear. It’s simply fun to dive into," she added.

Shifting Gears, debuting on Wednesday, January 8 on ABC, follows widowed father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter, Riley (Dennings). They navigate living together while attempting to mend their relationship. This series marks Dennings’ return to multi-camera comedy after nearly ten years since playing Max on 2 Broke Girls.

Returning to Multi-Cam Comedy

Dennings described her initial nerves about returning to comedy after a long break. "I worried I forgot everything, but once we started the first take, it felt like I never left. It was surreal," she shared. As shooting progressed, she felt at ease as the experience felt entirely natural.

Behind the cameras, Shifting Gears reconnects Dennings with showrunner Michelle Nader, who worked with Dennings on 2 Broke Girls and Dollface. Additionally, fans can look forward to guest appearances, including her Dollface co-star Brenda Song.

Longevity in Romance Storylines

Denning shared thoughts about her character's potential romance with Seann William Scott's character. "I love when onscreen relationships develop slowly over many seasons. It makes the payoff worth it," she noted, indicating her excitement for the journey.

Reflecting on her time filming Shifting Gears, Dennings feels grateful for the opportunity. She shared a conversation with a friend about her ideal project. "I described wanting to join a sitcom again. Then the very next day, I got the call about this project," she said.

"It was a shocking moment for me. I feel like I wished for this, and then there it was. Growing up on Tim's show, Home Improvement, made becoming his on-screen daughter especially thrilling. It's been fantastic; I'm grateful for this experience."

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