Country music icon Reba McEntire has once again found a television home with the NBC sitcom Happy's Place, which saw a successful first season and is now gearing up for its second. The show follows McEntire's character, Bobbie, who inherits her father’s bar in Knoxville, Tennessee, only to discover she must share ownership with Isabella, a half-sister she never knew existed. Belissa Escobedo portrays Isabella, embodying a starkly different personality and life outlook compared to her older sibling.

The series features a talented ensemble, including Reba alum Melissa Peterman, along with Rex Linn, Pablo Castelblanco, and Tokala Black Elk. The first season focused on these characters coming together to make the bar a success and forming intricate bonds. Ahead of the second season premiere, McEntire and Escobedo shared insights into the forthcoming character developments and potential guest appearances.

Reflecting on the second season, Reba McEntire expressed excitement about delving deeper into each character's backstory. She noted that the writers and showrunner excel at bringing individual histories to the forefront, allowing both the cast and audience to uncover details such as Emmett’s long tenure at the tavern or Gabby's prior presence. Escobedo echoed this sentiment, describing the process as "putting puzzle pieces together" and expressing eagerness for viewers to join the emotional journey the characters undergo.

A notable storyline that has captivated fans is the "slow burn" romance between Bobbie and Emmett, played by McEntire’s real-life fiancée, Rex Linn. McEntire enthusiastically described working with Linn on screen as "a lot of fun" and "very natural," emphasizing the comfort and enjoyment they share in portraying their characters' arguments, fights, or flirtations. She credited showrunner Kevin Abbott for the strategic decision to develop this relationship gradually over the first season, believing it was a "great decision" that allowed for a "slow rise."

The conversation also touched upon the possibility of guest stars, especially given McEntire's history and widespread connections. While a full Reba reboot remains a fan dream, Happy's Place has already seen several reunions. McEntire revealed an extensive list of potential guest stars that she and the cast would love to have, emphasizing the desire to share the fun of the set. Escobedo playfully suggested Kevin Costner as a dream guest, while McEntire mentioned that fellow The Voice coaches Snoop Dogg, Niall Horan, and Michael Bublé have expressed interest in visiting the set after hearing her enthusiastic accounts.

Beyond Happy's Place, McEntire also discussed her experience as a coach on NBC’s The Voice. She admitted that the most challenging aspect of the role, especially in her first season, was constantly having to invent new things to say, often feeling that other coaches like Gwen Stefani and John Legend had already covered her intended comments. This "live TV riffing" proved to be a difficult task for her. Additionally, McEntire provided an update on the cinematic adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel, The All-Girl Filling Stations' Last Reunion. She confirmed that the project is progressing slowly, with ongoing work on the script, and expressed her excitement as a devoted fan of Flagg's books, citing this particular novel as one of her favorites. Happy’s Place Season 2 is available on NBC and streaming on Peacock.