Shifting gears, Kate Dennings felt an instant trust in Tim Allen

It didn't take long Kat Dennings and Tim Allen to make a real-life connection similar to them Shifting gears daughter-father duo.

“It clicked pretty quickly. We had lunch after I accepted the role and I immediately felt like I could trust him for some reason,” Dennings, 38, told Exclusively. the latest issue of the year Us Weekly. “And he opened up to me real quick. So I (was) like, 'Okay, this guy is like let me in.'

Denning went on to explain that she and Allen “instant” connection is only became stronger.

“For some reason it worked pretty instantly — maybe it's because I've grown up looking at him so much of my life, but it just worked. It felt very organic,” she recalled. “And as (filming has) progressed, our scenes are so funny, if I do say so myself. Arguments are my favorite scenes to play because I'm not scared. None of us have any fear. We just go for it and it's so much fun.

Shifting gearswhich premieres Wednesday, Jan. 8 on ABC, follows widowed father Matt (Allen) and his estranged daughter Riley (Dennings) as they live together and working to repair their relationship. The sitcom features Dennings back to multi-camera comedy nearly a decade after playing Max on the hit CBS show 2 broken girls from 2011 to 2017.

“At first I was scared because it had been so long. I thought I'd forgotten everything. Then as soon as we started the first shoot, it was like I'd never left. It was so crazy,” Denning shared. “I really worked at that. I was really in over my head about it. Then it felt so organic. I don't think I've ever stopped working with multiple cameras. I like it, I really like it. “

behind the scenes Shifting gears reunited Dennings with the showrunner Michelle Naderwho previously worked with him 2 broken girls and Hulu Doll face. Easter eggs don't stop also featuring a guest appearance by Dennings' former Dollface costar Brenda's song – and that's just the beginning.

“Brenda is one of my best friends in life since we met Dollhouse and then Michelle is ours Shifting gears the host of the show. And Brenda and I always talked about doing a multicam together. We joke, 'Wouldn't that be great? That's how she did it (guest spot) because we just want to hang out,' Dennings said, teasing the upcoming episode. “I can't reveal too many guest stars, but there will be people who are really incredible. I think Michelle has put in some special references for me throughout the series.

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In addition to Dennings and Allen, 71, Shifting gears stars too Sean William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins and Barrett Margolis. Before the season even premiered, fans were learn potential chemistry between the characters of Dennings and Scott.

“I personally think because it's also one of my favorite things that I'm stretching it,” she told Us of the possible fictional romance. “The best relationships on screen are when they're stretched out over many, many, many seasons, because then the result is so satisfying. Hopefully — if we're lucky enough to go many seasons — it will take that long.

On reflection her time on set Shifting gears so far, Denning called the shoot a “magical situation,” adding, “I was talking to a friend and I wasn't sure what to do next. She said: “If you could just describe your dream project, what would it be?” I was like, “I'd love to do comedy again.” I just described this exact scenario. Then the next day I got a call about this.

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She concluded: “It was shocking. I'm still weird about it because I feel like I wanted it and it was. So it happened like that. And I grew up watching (Tim's show) Home Improvement, so I was really excited about the idea of ​​being his daughter. It's just been so fantastic and I feel so lucky.

To hear more from Dennings about her next comedic chapter, pick up the new issue of the year Us Weeklyon stands now.

Shifting gears premieres on ABC on Wednesday, January 8 at 8:00 PM ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.