Nancy Travis and Tim Allen Reunite in ABC’s Shifting Gears: “A Unique Connection”
After nearly a decade of playing Tim Allen’s on-screen wife in Last Man Standing, Nancy Travis was eager to step into something fresh when the two reunited on ABC’s Shifting Gears. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Travis shared her excitement about her guest appearance on the series, set to air on Wednesday, February 12.
“I got a call about a role they had in mind for me, and I loved how they crafted the character of Charlotte,” said Travis, 63. “She’s not a cliché wife or girlfriend. Instead, it’s more like two ships passing in the night—Charlotte and Matt deeply impact each other’s lives, probably even more so for Matt.”
Reuniting with Allen, 71, was a highlight for Travis, who described Charlotte as a catalyst for his character’s journey. “It was exciting to play someone who shares a connection with Tim’s character, yet remains a stranger at the same time. It mirrors real life—we shared years together on Last Man Standing, but here, my Shifting Gears character is someone entirely new, someone who influences Matt’s path in an unexpected way.”
This reunion marks the first time Allen and Travis have shared the screen since Last Man Standing wrapped in 2021. The hit sitcom, which ran from 2011 to 2021, saw them portraying the beloved fictional couple, Mike and Vanessa Baxter.
Following the conclusion of Last Man Standing, Allen returned to comedy with Shifting Gears, which debuted last month. The series follows his character, Matt, a widower striving to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Riley (played by Kat Dennings). In the upcoming Valentine’s Day-themed episode, Matt meets Charlotte while visiting his late wife’s grave, sparking a poignant and unexpected bond.
Don’t miss this heartfelt reunion—Shifting Gears airs Wednesday, February 12, on ABC!
Nancy Travis on Shifting Gears Reunion with Tim Allen: “A Unique and Clever Dynamic”
Nancy Travis is stepping into a fresh and exciting role alongside Tim Allen—but this time, she’s not playing his wife. After nearly a decade as Vanessa Baxter on Last Man Standing, Travis was eager to bring a new dynamic to her collaboration with Allen in Shifting Gears.
“It was great not to play the wife this time,” Travis shared in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly. “It was really fun to come in with a wealth of knowledge and rapport from working with Tim. We already have a built-in comedic rhythm—knowing how to set up a joke and tell a story together—so being able to apply that to Charlotte was a blast.”
Fans of Last Man Standing had hoped Travis might step into the role of Allen’s onscreen wife once again, but she isn’t sure that would be the right move.
“I do enjoy working with him, but I think it’s more fun to explore new and different relationships between characters,” she said. “It’s very meta—maybe even too meta. What they created here is something unique. Charlotte is almost like a soulmate friend, maybe even a spiritual echo of his late wife, Vanessa. There’s a depth and nuance to their connection that I really appreciate.”
Though she’s not reprising a spousal role, Travis wouldn’t rule out returning to Shifting Gears in the future.
“Tim loves what he does. He’s like the host of a party, but at the same time, he’s deeply conscientious about telling a story in a way that’s comedic, emotional, and truthful,” she explained. “He’s a fantastic scene partner in that way. The whole atmosphere on set is incredibly warm and inviting—like being at a party where everyone is genuinely enjoying themselves.”
Travis also emphasized that she felt no pressure stepping into Allen’s new world. Instead, she was met with open arms.
“I felt the opposite of pressure,” she noted. “From the moment I arrived, there was such a welcoming, warm energy. We just had a great time working together, and I think that enjoyment translated on-screen. Even the cast members I hadn’t worked with before made me feel like I was already part of the show—though I’m not. That’s a testament to the amazing team behind Shifting Gears, including showrunner Michelle Nader.”
She also had high praise for co-star Kat Dennings, who plays Allen’s onscreen daughter, Riley.
“Kat Dennings is fantastic,” Travis shared. “I didn’t have any scenes with her, but just from our interactions on set—she’s warm, funny, and absolutely wonderful. It’s a lovely show.”
Shifting Gears airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.
