If there’s one thing that can make a TV season instantly brighter, it’s Luke McFarlane. The openly gay actor has just been announced as Sam Parker, the long-missing son of Tim Allen’s Matt Parker, on ABC’s comedy series ShiftingGears, as first reported by Deadline. Executive Producer Michelle Nader teased,
“We hope to introduce Sam in Season 2. We think he will be another fun casting opportunity and a great character for everyone to complain to!”
McFarlane’s addition promises to shake up the Parker household with humor, heart, and just the right amount of charm. Sam Parker, a Navy hero, is set to bring a fresh energy and perhaps a bit of chaos — the kind of role only McFarlane can make fully irresistible.
Fans know McFarlane from a slew of standout performances. He charmed audiences on Apple TV’s Platonic opposite Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, wowed in sci-fi action series like Killjoys and Mercy Street, and of course melted hearts in Hallmark rom-coms. Movie lovers also remember him from the gay rom-com Bros, opposite Billy Eichner, and his upcoming thriller This Is Not a Test. Whether it’s hosting Hallmark+’s Home Is Where the Heart Is or taking on high-stakes film roles, McFarlane consistently proves he’s versatile, charismatic, and effortlessly magnetic.
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Lee Pace: From Pushing Daisies to The Running Man
Keeping the excitement going from McFarlane’s latest role, another gay fan favorite is keeping us glued to our screens: Lee Pace. The actor’s return to potential Pushing Daisies Season 3 is exciting enough on its own. Creator Bryan Fuller revealed,
“We have a season three pitch, and the entire cast wants to come back… We’re trying to do another season this year.”
Pace originally enchanted audiences as Ned, the pie-maker who can bring the dead back to life, in the Emmy-winning series. The show’s quirky aesthetic, whimsical storytelling, and romantic tension made it unforgettable. Now, fans are counting down the days for the chance to see Pace reprise the role while bringing decades of additional experience, charm, and queer visibility to the part.
Pace hasn’t slowed down in the meantime. In The Running Man, he plays Evan McCone, a masked hunter with a flair for dramatic tension and high-fashion red carpet looks. Even hidden behind the mask, Pace manages to smolder and captivate, proving once again why he’s one of our favorite openly gay actors on both TV and film.
Why We Can’t Get Enough of McFarlane and Pace
Both Luke McFarlane and Lee Pace bring a rare combination of talent, charm, and visibility to mainstream entertainment. McFarlane exudes warmth, charisma, and romantic flair — whether it’s a Hallmark holiday rom-com or a gripping thriller. Pace radiates elegance, intensity, and whimsy, whether he’s lighting up a quirky TV series or commanding a high-stakes action thriller.
YES LUKE MACFARLANE THE DILF THAT YOU ARE pic.twitter.com/kbITSTZuKE
— sam | priest era (@scottinaussie) May 27, 2023
For the LGBTQ+ community, their presence on screen is about more than just swoon-worthy performances — it’s about representation and authenticity. Seeing openly gay actors headline major projects, balance complex characters, and effortlessly charm audiences is both affirming and exciting.
Looking Forward to the Next Chapter
So what are we most excited for? Watching McFarlane stir up family dynamics and perhaps deliver swoon-worthy moments on Shifting Gears. Seeing Pace balance high-fashion allure and masked mayhem in The Running Man, while hoping for the magical return of Pushing Daisies. Between the two of them, there’s humor, heat, charm, and heart to anticipate.
@TVInsider via Instagram :
Is #PushingDaisies coming back from the dead? Lee Pace teases “wild” Season 3 plans 🌼https://t.co/K38whOxMZv#leepace #annafriel pic.twitter.com/47yF4pjbMt
— Lee Pace Italy 🇮🇹 (@leepaceitaly1) December 3, 2025
In short, Luke McFarlane and Lee Pace aren’t just giving us new roles to watch — they’re giving us reasons to look forward to every episode, every scene, every red carpet, and every smoldering glance. And honestly? We couldn’t be happier.