While Reba McEntire undoubtedly commands the spotlight, the new NBC sitcom Happy’s Place thrives as a true ensemble piece. Alongside the country music icon, Belissa Escobedo, Melissa Peterman, Rex Linn, Tokala Black Elk, and Pablo Castelblanco bring the show’s dynamic characters to life. Together, they portray the team at Happy’s Place, a bar inherited by McEntire’s character, Bobbie, after her father’s passing. The bar, once owned by “Happy,” now faces new obstacles when Bobbie uncovers a life-altering secret—her father had a much younger daughter from an affair, who, according to his will, is entitled to half of the business. The show follows Bobbie and her newfound sister navigating their complicated relationship while running the bar.
Season 2 Announcement: Reba’s Emotional Moment
As the Happy’s Place cast wrapped up the first season, an emotional moment ensued when McEntire shared the joyous news with her fellow actors—NBC had officially renewed the show for a second season. Filming the final episode of the first season, emotions were running high. McEntire, with gratitude in her voice, said:
“We got picked up for a second season. What a gift! Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord!”
The cast and crew, filled with excitement, celebrated the announcement with hugs, tears, and a sense of accomplishment.
Belissa Escobedo on Reba McEntire: A True Professional
During an appearance on NBC4 Los Angeles, Belissa Escobedo took the opportunity to share what working alongside Reba McEntire is really like. Without missing a beat, Escobedo described her co-star as “Queen of country, queen of sitcoms,” praising Reba for being one of the “sweetest, most hardworking, and most genuine people” she’s ever met. Escobedo elaborated on McEntire’s upbeat demeanor:
“She comes into work with a smile every day. She’s doing two shows, you know!”
At the start of the season, Reba juggled filming Happy’s Place with her role on The Voice, showcasing her remarkable work ethic.
When asked about the natural chemistry between Reba and Belissa on-screen, Escobedo explained that their off-screen relationship mirrors what viewers see on television:
“It’s exactly the same. And I’m saying that for the whole cast. All the dynamics you see on screen are only elevated off screen, and I think that’s why instantly with the first episode, we were all like, ‘Ok, we’ve got something here.’”
Belissa also shared an intriguing detail: though she and Reba appear to be longtime friends, their first meeting took place during the show’s chemistry read, just as Belissa was auditioning for the role. In fact, she had never met any of the cast members before. The real magic unfolded during the first table read, where the bond between the entire cast quickly became evident.
Of course, Reba’s long-standing friendships with co-stars like Melissa Peterman—who starred alongside her on Reba from 2001 to 2007—and Rex Linn, her boyfriend of nearly five years, add a personal touch to the set.
Catch Belissa’s full interview below and see the camaraderie that makes Happy’s Place a standout.