The star power of Belissa Escobedo is undeniable. At 26 years old she has starred in blockbusters like DC’s Blue Beetle alongside Xolo Maridueña. In that movie she played his sister Milagro Reyes. She’s also starred in the sequel to the beloved movie Hocus Pocus as Izzy. And now she’s teaming up with the iconic Reba McEntire for NBC’s new comedy Happy’s Place, which just got picked up for a full season order.
What makes this role different for Escobedo is that she’s not a supporting character. She’s the main character alongside McEntire’s. In Happy’s Place she plays Isabella, a young woman who finds out that she’s inherited partial ownership of a restaurant. The only problem is that so has Bobbie, played by McEntire, and who never knew she had a sister. What follows is Isabella and Bobbie trying to figure out how to work together but also develop their bond.
Remezcla sat down to speak with Belissa Escobedo about joining Happy’s Place and what drew her to this project. At the beginning, she did admit that it being Reba McEntire was instantly a draw. But there was more to her saying yes to this show. “Obviously when I heard about it being Reba. That was a huge pull towards it. But then I also think it being a multicam [drew me in].” A multi-cam show is a TV production that uses multiple cameras to record a scene, usually in front of a live audience.
“It being a sitcom is so fun and special. And I’d never done one before. I think in the industry you always hear that multicam is great. Great hours. It gives you a taste of having a live audience and that energy,” Escobedo shared before diving into the fears of her first day. “At the beginning there was little bit of ‘Oh wow, I hope I can keep up.’ But after that first read through with the entire cast […] it just felt like that connection was already there and that comfortability.”
Happy’s Place also stars Melissa Peterman as bartender Gabby. Peterman starred alongside McEntire in the 2000’s TV show Reba. So it’s not just the nerves of working with the iconic Reba. There’s also being a lead for Escobedo alongside the dynamic duo that is Reba and Melissa. When asked about working with them, Escobedo only had good things to say. “Melissa and Reba are not only amazing actors, but just great people. And I felt comfortable and at ease with them. They are constantly in my corner rooting for me. Just like everybody on this set.”
One notable thing about Happy’s Place is that it’s unapologetically women focused. In the lead up to the show, all the promotional material focused on McEntire and Peterman as the initial draw due to the nostalgia of Reba. But they always included Escobedo. And with the show getting a full season order, it’s become clear that this show isn’t just about Bobbie and Isabella’s relationship or the nostalgia we see when Bobbie and Gabby are on screen. It’s a show, a comedy at that, that focuses on women and not just who they’re dating.
Escobedo agreed with this sentiment on it being women oriented and said, “I think what’s so awesome about that is that it’s three different generations of women. And we witness all those roadblocks. We witness all those connections, where it’s these three generations of women coming together and creating this family.” That’s especially true for Bobbie, McEntire’s character. “She’s holding down the fort, and has been, even before I even came into the picture. And that’s so awesome to see; women pick up the pieces and put us all back together again. Because each of us adds something to becoming this strong unit.”
At the end of the day, Belissa Escobedo loves Happy’s Place because of the experience and the actors that she gets to spend her day working with and learning from. But she also loves it because the concept of the show itself feels real. “Everybody can relate to how I react versus how Bobbie reacts [to finding out you have a sister you never knew about.] And I’m excited for audiences to witness that and come to love each of us.”
We already do. And we can’t wait to see more.
Happy’s Place airs Fridays at 8/7c on NBC.
