‘Shifting Gears’: Luke Macfarlane Joins ABC Comedy as the Mysterious Sam Parker

ABC’s Shifting Gears has long teased fans with references to the elusive Sam Parker, the Navy-hero son of classic car restoration shop owner Matt Parker (Tim Allen) and brother to Riley Parker (Kat Dennings). After a season and a half of off-screen mentions, the prodigal Parker is finally rolling onto the small screen and he’s in good hands. Luke Macfarlane (Platonic, Bros) has officially been cast as Sam, bringing star power, charm and a dash of mischief to the Parker family dynamic.

For loyal viewers, the addition of Sam Parker is a long-awaited payoff. Executive producer and showrunner Michelle Nader hinted that Sam would be “another fun casting opportunity and a great character for everyone to complain to,” and Macfarlane’s blend of charisma and wit makes him a natural fit for the Parker chaos. With Matt’s stubborn, widowed charm already clashing with Riley’s sharp-tongued sarcasm, the entry of a Navy-hero son promises comedy, tension, and plenty of awkward family moments.

Macfarlane isn’t a stranger to fans of smart, comedic television. Currently a series regular on Apple TV’s Platonic opposite Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, Macfarlane has also made waves in Killjoys, Mercy Street, and numerous Hallmark projects. His feature credits include the LGBTQ+ rom-com Bros and the upcoming IFC thriller This Is Not a Test. Clearly, he’s no stranger to balancing humor, heart, and a touch of heroics, exactly what Sam Parker needs.

Shifting Gears continues to deliver the kind of warm, slightly chaotic family comedy that made it a hit, and Macfarlane’s arrival is set to elevate the series further. With Seann William Scott, Daryl Chill Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis rounding out the cast, the Parker household is gearing up for a season full of laughs, heartfelt moments, and classic Tim Allen stubbornness.

Fans can catch Shifting Gears on Wednesdays at 8 PM on ABC, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu. Luke Macfarlane’s Sam Parker is officially here and if the show’s track record is any indication, he’s going to be a fan-favorite fast. Stay tuned: the Parker family just got a lot more interesting.