Shifting Gears may be going through a shakeup after Jenna Elfman, who plays Tim Allen‘s girlfriend, booked a new role.
Deadline reported on Tuesday, May 5, that Elfman, 54, joined Fox’s The Interrogator as a series regular opposite Stephen Fry, Luke Kleintank and Michael Beach. The project has already received a 12-episode and straight-to-series order
According to the synopsis, Fry will play a former MI6 agent Conrad Henry.
“When conventional methods have failed, Henry’s quirky charm, superior intellect and mind-bending behavioral maneuvers make him the only man able to lock-pick the minds of the world’s most dangerous criminals,” the description teased.
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Elfman, meanwhile, will play Woodrow, who is a “former rising star in the CIA whose career was derailed by a mission gone awry.”
“Now stationed at the DIA as a handler for Henry’s team, she views the post as a demotion — and the first step in clawing her way back,” read her character bio. “She supervises Henry’s cases, pushes him and often clashes with him; Conrad is always seven steps ahead, and Woodrow is rarely more than five. Still, the pair share a grudging mutual respect that makes for a compelling, strange-bedfellows dynamic.”
The actress’ new job has raised questions about her future on ABC’s Shifting Gears. She was expected to return for season 3 after previously appearing in nine episodes while also filming AMC’s Dark Winds.
TVLine has since reported that season 3 is still being developed, so there are no official details on Elfman’s involvement yet.
During the season 2 finale, which aired in February, Matt (Allen) made an effort to meet someone new after his split from Eve (Elfman) — by going on a traditional values dating app. TradSwipe didn’t work well for Matt, who ended up on a disastrous date with Lynn (Angela Kinsey). He then had a chance encounter at the bar with Eve that inspired them to get back together following a shocking split.
“It had to be her. It literally had to be Eve,” showrunner Michelle Nader exclusively told Us Weekly about the plan for Allen’s long-term onscreen love interest. “But we have a widower — who is played by Tim Allen after he has always been married on his previous shows.”
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Nader noted that there was never a plan to have Matt too involved in the dating scene, adding, “Tim isn’t really a guy that would be comfortable dating a lot of women. The idea was, ‘Should we do this show about this older guy dating?’ Because obviously it’s going to be about family, inevitably you’re going to get to dating.”
Elfman previously spoke to Us about returning to the show.
“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 in September 2025. “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.”
Shifting Gears is currently streaming on Hulu.
