Cynthia Quiles Talks Shifting Gears, Tim Allen, and Classic Cars

Cynthia Quiles reveals why Shifting Gears is a must-watch.

ABC’s new hit sitcom Shifting Gears is racing to the top, and star Cynthia Quiles isn’t surprised. The show, which follows classic car restoration shop owner Matt (Tim Allen) as he reconnects with his estranged daughter Riley (Kat Dennings), has struck a chord with audiences, becoming ABC’s most-watched streaming debut.

In an exclusive conversation, Quiles, who plays Frankie, a confident and skilled mechanic, shared her excitement about the show’s success and her personal connection to the world of classic cars.

“It is definitely good news,” Quiles said. “Am I shocked? No, because I do think there’s a power that Tim Allen has. He has kind of the Midas touch, in my opinion. I’m a little biased—I’m a big fan. It is great, though, the success that the show is having. We’re all celebrating that for sure.”

The show’s premiere numbers were staggering.

It had nearly 17 million viewers tuning in, making it one of the most-watched broadcast series debuts. For Quiles, joining Shifting Gears was an easy decision. “My dad does in real life, what Tim does in real life and what Matt does in the show, which is restore classic cars. So I’ve always had an affinity for for vehicles. So this came about and I was like, how cool is this a female mechanic? And like what? Tim Allen, Kat Denny’s one of those that you’re just like, there’s no, there’s no question to it. Plus, I love the fact that Frankie is so confident and like able to hang with the guys and in the shop with no problem.”

Quiles’ passion for cars goes beyond the screen. She fondly recalled childhood memories of identifying cars by their headlights and forming emotional connections with vehicles. “For me, a car is a very personal choice. And when you meet the one, there’s no denying it. You just know upon first glance, it’s the one. And I’ve always had that connection with cars.”

Shifting Gears is packed with automotive gems, including vehicles from Allen’s personal collection. One that caught Quiles’ eye is a vintage Ford Bronco, which she says “definitely has Frankie energy.”

The sitcom is filmed in front of a live audience.

It is a throwback to classic 90s television, a format Quiles embraces. “The energy you get from a live audience is unlike anything else,” she said. “It takes Tim to another level. From the moment he hits the stage, you see his comedic genius in full force.”

For fans of classic sitcoms, Shifting Gears delivers the nostalgia of Home Improvement, complete with Easter eggs that longtime Allen fans will appreciate. Quiles, a 90s kid herself, hopes the show’s success sparks a resurgence in traditional sitcoms.

When asked which classic TV show she would reboot, Quiles enthusiastically chose The Mary Tyler Moore Show. “The writing was so quick and sharp,” she said. “I love being on a sitcom because it matches my high-energy personality.”

As for her favorite Tim Allen role? “Buzz Lightyear,” she answered without hesitation. “But then there’s Santa Claus… Can I just choose Tim Allen as a human being?”

With Shifting Gears rolling full speed ahead, Quiles is thrilled to be part of a show that blends humor, heart, and horsepower. When asked to describe the series in three words, she chose: “Funny, heartwarming, and nobody’s safe.”

Tonight’s episode, “Grief,” airing at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC, sees Riley urging Matt to see a grief counselor while Gabriel (Seann William Scott) struggles to manage the shop. New episodes are available the next day on Hulu.

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