Tires Season 2 star Thomas Haden Church did not know about the show prior to featuring in it

Tires made its debut in May 2024 and has quickly gained traction with its second season. One of the biggest surprises this time around was the addition of Thomas Haden Church, who openly admitted that he had never heard of the show before being cast. His unexpected involvement, paired with a shift in tone and stronger performances, helped elevate the series to new heights.

Interestingly, Church’s late entry into the world of Tires ended up reshaping its identity. Not only did his character bring new emotional layers to the plot, but his presence also sparked a wave of renewed interest from both audiences and critics. What started as a low-key workplace comedy suddenly had the weight and charm of a seasoned Hollywood actor behind it.

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What is Tires?

Created by comedians Shane Gillis, Steve Gerben, and John McKeever, Tires is a fast-paced workplace sitcom set in the Valley Forge Automotive Center. Each 20-minute episode delivers offbeat humor, awkward interactions, and the kind of deadpan delivery that leans into chaos without completely losing structure.

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Plot overview Season 1 and Season 2

Season 1

The first season revolves around Will, played by Steve Gerben, a sincere but hapless employee who tries to rescue the failing shop owned by his family. His cousin Shane, played by Shane Gillis, treats the job more like a playground. Episodes feature misguided marketing stunts, workplace rumors, and a questionable car wash fundraiser. While critics gave it a modest 40 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences were far more generous, with an 87 percent approval rating on the audience meter.

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Season 2

Released on June 5, 2025, Season 2 doubles down with 12 episodes and a bigger cast. It brings in new faces like Andrew Schulz, Vince Vaughn in episode six, Ron White, and Thomas Haden Church as Phil, Shane’s long-absent father. With the shop in even deeper financial trouble, Phil buys out the location and becomes a reluctant part of the team, forcing father and son into uncomfortable proximity. By the end of the season, Phil chooses not to sell the shop and Shane lands a few fleet accounts, giving the family business a temporary reprieve. The future remains uncertain.

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Thomas Haden Church as Phil

The actor

Thomas Haden Church, best known for roles in Sideways and Spider-Man 3, is no stranger to eccentric, emotionally layered characters. Living in Texas and far removed from the typical Hollywood scene, Church rarely joins ensemble TV casts, which makes his role in Tires all the more intriguing.

The character

Phil is introduced as a self-important businessman who buys the struggling auto shop and starts working with his estranged son Shane. He is flashy, self-assured, and deeply flawed. Church describes the character as:

"Phil still kind of fancies himself by the way he dresses, by the way he is clothed. He still does kind of consider himself to be a bit of a snack for the ladies."

This is a far cry from Church’s real-life persona, and he admits that playing such a cocky, image-obsessed character was both foreign and fun.

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That surprising confession

Church’s arrival in Tires was even more unusual due to his initial unfamiliarity with the show. As revealed by The Hollywood Reporter:

"Before saving the shop in Tires Season 2, Thomas Haden Church had not heard of the show."

That revelation raised eyebrows but also added to the show’s underdog charm. Church went on to praise the creative freedom he had while filming and called the project his first real experience with improvisation.

Critical reception and audience response

Season 1

Critics viewed the debut season as fun but shallow, with limited narrative stakes. However, viewers connected with its chaotic energy and relatable characters, drawing comparisons to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Season 2

Reception for Season 2 was notably more positive. Rotten Tomatoes scored it at 83 percent among critics, while Collider and Decider praised its improved pacing, character development, and standout performance by Church. The show also broke into Netflix’s Top 10, showing that this oddball comedy had finally found its audience.

Final thoughts

Thomas Haden Church’s unexpected entry into Tires may have been a surprise, but it ultimately became one of the show’s greatest assets. His performance grounded the series with an emotional undercurrent it did not have before and helped drive it toward broader recognition.

With Netflix expected to announce the show’s renewal status by August 2025, fans are hopeful to see what is next for the dysfunctional crew at Valley Forge Automotive and whether Phil will once again roll up his sleeves to save the day.