"Full Throttle: Season 2: Jenna Elfman on Having Faith in Herself, the Writers, and the Cast"

 It can be like putting on a favorite jacket again when an actor returns to a role for a second season; it's cozy, familiar, and full of opportunities for new experiences. For Jenna Elfman, Season 2 of Shifting Gears is exactly that, but with a twist. This isn’t just about reprising a character; it’s about leaning into the creative synergy of a show that’s finally found its stride. And at the heart of it all, Elfman believes, is trust: trust in the writers, trust in her fellow castmates, and, most importantly, trust in herself.

 

When Shifting Gears debuted, audiences weren’t entirely sure what to expect. A show that blends comedy, drama, and the occasional philosophical curveball is hard to categorize, and season one was spent laying down the framework—introducing characters, world-building, and experimenting with tone. By Elfman’s account, that experimentation was a necessary foundation. “The first season was like tuning up a car,” she’s explained in interviews. “You’re figuring out how everything works together. Now in Season 2, we’re ready to really drive.”

That driving metaphor is more than clever wordplay; it’s emblematic of the series itself.

For Elfman, that trust begins with the writers. “You can’t hold too tightly to your own idea of who the character is,” she says. “The writers will surprise you. They’ll take your character places you didn’t expect, and if you fight that, you miss the opportunity to grow.”

 

It’s a philosophy that reflects her long career. From her breakout role as Dharma on Dharma & Greg to later turns in more dramatic projects, Elfman has always thrived when she allowed herself to be surprised by the material. But in Shifting Gears, the collaborative process is especially central. The writing team, now more confident after a successful debut season, has taken bolder swings, given characters richer storylines and more emotionally charged moments. Instead of second-guessing the direction, Elfman leans in.

 

Then there’s the matter of the cast. Chemistry is the kind of intangible quality that can’t be faked. It’s either there, or it isn’t—and with Shifting Gears, Elfman insists it’s very much there. Season 1 saw the actors building that foundation, learning each other’s rhythms and quirks. By Season 2, those relationships have matured, creating a shorthand that allows for greater authenticity on screen. “We know each other better now,” Elfman explains. “When we’re in a scene together, it’s not just acting—it’s reacting. There’s a trust that whoever you’re with is going to catch you if you leap.”

 

That trust translates into freedom. Watching the ensemble now is like watching a band after their debut album: the rough edges have been smoothed, and the harmony feels effortless. Elfman credits this to a willingness among the cast to be vulnerable with each other. “It’s scary sometimes to show those raw emotions,” she admits. “But when you trust your scene partners, you don’t feel exposed. You feel supported.”

 

Finally, there’s the element of self-trust, something Elfman has cultivated over decades in the industry but which she says feels particularly vital now. In Hollywood, actors are often pulled in countless directions—expectations from networks, critics, fans, and even themselves can weigh heavily. The temptation to overthink or overperform is ever-present. For Elfman, Season 2 has been about silencing that noise and grounding herself in the knowledge that she belongs here.

 

“It’s easy to doubt yourself, especially when you’re part of a show that’s still carving out its identity,” she says. “But I’ve learned that if you walk onto set with confidence in your preparation and your instincts, that energy changes everything. You stop chasing approval and start creating from a more authentic place.”

 

That authenticity is what makes Elfman’s performance in Shifting Gears stand out. For viewers, that means a performance that feels more textured, layered, and real.

 

There’s a sense, too, that Elfman sees this stage of her career as a second wind. While she’s long been beloved for her comedic timing and charm, Shifting Gears offers her the chance to remind audiences of her dramatic depth as well. Trusting herself, in this case, means refusing to be boxed in by the past. “People remember me from certain roles, and I’m grateful for that,” she reflects. “But this is a new chapter. I’m not just revisiting what I’ve done before—I’m expanding it.”

 

As Shifting Gears barrels through its second season, it’s clear that the show has more than just narrative momentum—it has creative confidence. And at the center of that is Jenna Elfman, embracing trust as both a philosophy and a practice. She's not just following along; she's driving it by trusting the cast to support her, the writers to surprise her, and herself to keep her grounded.