Luke Macfarlane Joins Cast of ABC Sitcom: Will He Keep Working With Hallmark, Too?

Longtime Hallmark hunk Luke Macfarlane is hotter than hot in Hollywood right now. Not only was his Apple+ series “Platonic” just picked up for a third season, but Deadline reported on December 9, 2025, that the “Home Is Where The Heart Is” star is joining the cast of ABC’s “Shifting Gears” in a surprise role.

Fans are thrilled for Macfarlane, but also wonder whether Macfarlane will continue to star in Hallmark projects, too.

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Luke Macfarlane Has Likely Already Filmed With ‘Shifting Gears’ Cast

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“Shifting Gears,” now in the middle of its second season, stars Tim Allen as Matt Parker — a widower who owns a classic car restoration shop — and Kat Dennings as his estranged daughter, Riley, who moves back into his house with her kids.

According to Deadline, Macfarlane will join the series later in the season as Sam Parker — Riley’s brother and Matt’s son. Though the character, a Navy hero, has been alluded to multiple times on the show, he’s never been seen by viewers.

After the news broke, Macfarlane shared a screenshot of Deadline’s article in his Instagram stories and wrote, “Happy to be a member of the family.”

Macfarlane has likely already begun filming with the cast. According to ticketing manager 1iota, the season finale is scheduled to film in front of a live audience on December 16.

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Will Luke Macfarlane Still Appear on Hallmark Channel Amid ‘Shifting Gears’ Role?

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Given that Macfarlane’s new gig is described as a “guest star” role and he’s been able to continue working with Hallmark while filming “Platonic,” it’s likely the actor will remain part of the Hallmark family in tandem with his other projects.

In fact, he’s already slated to appear in “Caught By Love” co-starring Rachael Leigh Cook on January 24. Hallmark’s synopsis says, “While on a journey of self-discovery, a resort guest gets swept into an undercover investigation for stolen jewels that turns into an unexpected and adventurous romance.”

In early September, fellow rom-com favorite Brittany Bristow revealed in her Instagram Stories that she was filming a new rom-com with Macfarlane, but it’s not known of that movie will land on Hallmark. The network also has not announced whether his unscripted home renovation series has been renewed for a second season.

Macfarlane, who shares his two-year-old daughter Tess with his longtime partner, Hig Roberts, also told Photoshoot Magazine in September that he’d love to return to doing live theater. The Juilliard grad said, “I am excited to go back and do some theater work. It’s been a while now and I need to be scared [expletive]-less again on a Broadway stage before the curtain goes up.”