Shifting Gears will keep following Tim Allen's character, Matt, on his grief journey in season 2 ahead of a highly anticipated Home Improvement reunion. ABC released stills from the Wednesday, October 1, premiere, which showed Allen, 72, back visiting the gravesite of his character's late wife. This allowed Matt to reunite with Charlotte (Nancy Travis), who he met on Valentine's Day in season 1. Matt and Charlotte then crossed paths with new characters played by Patricia Richardson, Debbe Dunning and Richard Karn. Us Weekly recently shared the exclusive first look at Richardson, 74, Dunning, 59, and Karn, 69, on Shifting Gears. While details about their roles have yet to be announced, ABC previously teased that the trio "show up to support" Matt in "an unexpected way." Before sharing the screen on Shifting Gears, Richardson, Dunning and Karn worked with Allen on Home Improvement. Allen played Tim on the ABC sitcom from 1991 to 1999 before starring on Last Man Standing, which aired from 2011 to 2021. Which 'Shifting Gears' Stars Are - And Aren't - Returning for Season 2? Shifting Gears, meanwhile, follows Matt and his estranged daughter, Riley (Kat Dennings), as they find themselves living together and working to repair their relationship after the loss of their matriarch. "From the very beginning, [the creative team has said] that we've never seen Tim Allen in a sitcom with a romantic interest. And I said, 'Well, I've just lost my wife, so I don't see it.' So I love where we are," Allen told Us in January. "I said, 'If it happens over time and happens organically with two people that do not get along, then it is OK.' I just am really cautious about this. I just want it to happen where it's organic and proper." In addition to Allen and Dennings, 39, Shifting Gears also stars Seann William Scott, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis. Jenna Elfman, meanwhile, plays choreographer Eve Drake, who owns a dance studio across from the classic car restoration shop run by Allen's character. "[Matt's] more like me. I'm more of an artist. I was a design student and a philosopher and my standup comedy is really about messing with people in a good way," Allen shared with Us. "I came from a huge family run by women. So my perspective is very different about men. I don't think we run things. So I want this to be that guy. He's not a 'man's man' in that term, and he wasn't trying to be anything but what he does." 'Shifting Gears' Season 2: What to Know After Tim Allen, Jenna Elfman Kiss The actor noted that Matt is "not like the other guys" he's played before. "This is a new character and it's much closer to [who I am]. I've been through grief in my life with losing my father," he added. "I've been blessed to be a comedian and so that's who this [character] is. If I did it again, I wanted to get as much closer to the [man] that I am." Shifting Gears returns to ABC on Wednesday, October 1, at 8 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu. Keep scrolling for a first look at the season 2 premiere of Shifting Gears: An Intense Face-Off Disney/Raymond Liu Riley and Gabriel (Scott) appear to have a heated moment after almost sharing a kiss in the season 1 premiere. Meta Moment Disney/Raymond Liu Allen will share the screen with his Home Improvement and Last Man Standing costars. Figuring Out Their Relationship Status Disney/Raymond Liu Matt and Eve reconnect after getting close at the end of the first season. Having a Laugh Disney/Raymond Liu After meeting Charlotte in season 1, Matt is seen spending more time with her.