We’ve recently seen the cancellations of many NBC shows. Fortunately, we didn’t have to go through that heartbreak with Happy’s Place. The freshman comedy starring Reba McEntire was quickly renewed for a second season in February 2025, and the cast already has big dreams for what's next. In fact, one star has revealed her dream casting choice for who she would like to play her mom in season 2, and we'd have to agree that this actress would be the perfect pick.
Happy's Place is a comedy sitcom created by Julie Abbott and Kevin Abbott. McEntire stars in the leading role of Bobbie McAllister, a woman who inherits partial ownership of her late father’s bar, Happy’s Place, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The twist? She discovers she has a half-sister, Isabella (played by Belissa Escobedo), who was also given a share of the bar in their father’s will. Now, the two must learn how to run Happy's Place together and coexist.
Also in the cast are Melissa Peterman as Gabby, Rex Linn as Emmett, Pablo Castelblanco as Steve, and Tokala Black Elk as Takoda. There were also several guest stars in season 1, such as Michael O'Neill, Steve Howey, Anthony Norman, Emma Kenney, Jeremiah Brannan, Justina Machado, Christopher Rich, and Larry Cedar.
Now that a Happy's Place season 2 is confirmed, the cast is already thinking ahead about new storylines and potential characters. One exciting possibility? Introducing Gabby's mom. In a recent interview with TV Insider, Melissa Peterman revealed that she would love to see Jean Smart take on the role. Peterman doesn't just mention this casually either. In fact, she mentions wanting her on the show playing her mom a couple of times in the interview. So it looks like this dream casting isn't just a passing thought. It's something Peterman is genuinely rooting for, and honestly, we're here for it.
Gabby’s mom has already been mentioned in the series, and from what we learned, the character seems like a strong, witty, and perhaps slightly sassy presence. In the TV Insider interview, Peterman even recalls a line her character said about her mom in season 1 that perfectly supports this impression. Smart would be the perfect fit to bring that personality to life, and seeing her and Peterman share the screen as mother and daughter would be a comedic dream.
The Emmy Award-winning actress is beloved for her work in acclaimed series like Fraiser, Hacks, Watchmen and Mare of Easttown, and would undoubtedly bring both humor and heart to the sitcom. The only potential issue is scheduling. Smart is still currently on Hacks. As of May 23, the Max comedy-drama has not been renewed for a fifth season. But given Hacks' popularity, a renewal still seems likely, which could complicate her availability. However, if it’s just a one-episode guest spot on Happy's Place season 2, there’s a chance they could make it work. We're keeping our fingers crossed!