Summary
Reba McEntire returns to the comedy scene with a bang, reuniting with two of her former co-stars in the brand-new NBC sitcom,Happy’s Place. Set in Knoxville, Tennessee,the heartwarming comedy follows Bobbie (played by McEntire) as her life is uprooted when her father, Happy, passes away, leading to the discovery that half of the tavern she’s been running for 10 years now belongs to the sister she never knew she had.
Happy’s Placelooks to recreate the same heart, soul, and humor that audiences once loved inReba, with the show’s former showrunner, writer, and producers returning to work on the project. Kevin Abbot,Happy’s Place’s writer and creator, toldTV Insiderthathe chose the tavern setting because he wanted an environment where a “diverse group” with individual and contrasting life experiencescould “congregate.” This aligns with McEntire’s statement of looking forward totheRebareplacement"always [having] a lesson," and the characters certainly seem distinct enough to achieve that.
Reba McEntire As Bobbie
Date Of Birth: June 14, 2025
Actor: Reba Nell McEntire was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, and found her big break as a country music star, being dubbed the “Queen of Country” long before her acting debut in 1990’sTremors. McEntire won the hearts of generations by playing the iconic “single mom” inReba, an award-winning sitcom from the early 2000s, and has since starred in works such asThe Hammer,Big Sky, andYoung Sheldon. Most recently, McEntire spent time onThe Voiceas a celebrity judge and vocal coach.
McEntire won the hearts of generations by playing the iconic “single mom” in Reba, an award-winning sitcom from the early 2000s
Character: Reba McEntire will play Bobbie, an “intense,” “loyal,” and “very hard worker"who had been running the tavern for 10 years prior to Happy’s death. McEntire said that Bobbie struggles with the changes and implications a secret sister brings.
Belissa Escobedo As Isabella
Date Of Birth: July 11, 2025
Actor:Born in Los Angeles, California, Belissa Escobedo is best known for her role as Jamie Reye’s sister inBlue Beetleand for her lead role in Disney’sHocus Pocus 2.Escobedo also starred in the cult favoriteAmerican Horror Stories, along with comedies likeSid Is Dead,Sex Appeal, andThe Baker and The Beauty.
Happy’s Place Trailer: Reba McEntire Reunites With Former Sitcom Co-Star For New Series
The trailer for the upcoming NBC multi-cam comedy Happy’s Place reveals Reba’s return to sitcoms, previewing a reunion between former co-stars.
Character: Belissa Escobedo will play Isabella, Bobbie’s newly discovered half-sister, who is ecstatic to find out that she has family beyond her single mother.
Melissa Peterman As Gabby
Date Of Birth: June 26, 2025
Actor: Melissa Peterman was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.She made her film debut inFargobut found her big break after being cast as Barbra Jean Booker-Hart inReba. Peterman has most recently starred inYoung Sheldon, though throughout the years has had countless roles and guest star cameos in works such asBaby Daddy,American Dad, andWorking Class.
She made her film debut in Fargo but found her big break after being cast as Barbra Jean Booker-Hart in Reba.
Character: Melissa Peterman will play Gabby, the “needy and dramatic” bartenderwho takes up the role of Bobbie’s closest friend, and before the sister incident, was hoping to have more time with her.
Happy’s Place Supporting Cast And Characters
Emmet, Steve And Takoda
Rex Linn as Emmet:Born in Perryton, Texas, Rex Linn is best known for his roles in hit works such asCSI: MiamiandRush Hour. He has had a strong and consistent career starring in successful projects likeBetter Call Sauland most recently starring in theBig Bang Theoryspinoff,Young Sheldon. InHappy’s Place, Linn will play the tavern’s short-order cook, Emmet, who is proposed to “[be the]patriarch” upon Happy’s passing. Linn and McEntire are in a relationship in real life, and the lead actress has hinted towards a potential romance between their characters.
Pablo Castelblanco as Steve: Pablo Castelblanco was born in Bogotá, Columbia, and moved to America at 17 to pursue being an actor. He is best known for his role as Gabriel Tovar in ABC’sAlaska Dailyand was most recently one of the leading actors in the 2024 horror movie,Ganymede. Castelblanco will play Bobbie’s accountant, Steve, inHappy’s Place, a germaphobe who has OCD and hates change.
Why NBC’s Happy’s Place Had To End Reba McEntire’s 23-Year Sitcom Trope Explained By Producer
Producer Kevin Abbott explains why NBC’s Happy’s Place had to end Reba McEntire’s tired sitcom trope that started all the way back in 2001.
Tokala Black Elk as Takoda: Tokala Black Elk, born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has held supporting roles in various shows includingYellowstone,Outer Range, and1883. He is also an experienced voice-over artist, having worked onThe Revenant,Westworld, and even the prominent video gameCyberpunk 2077. InHappy’s Place, Black Elk will play the incredibly kind Takoda, the tavern’s waiter and maintenance person.
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