Is ‘Happy’s Place’ connected to ‘Reba’? Reba McEntire explains the ties between her TV shows

Even though two of the same show leads — Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman — are back playing unlikely friends in a multi-camera sitcom, the new NBC series “Happy’s Place” is not an extension of “Reba.”

The new series “Happy’s Place” tells the story of Bobbie (played by McEntire) who inherits her dad’s bar only to learn that she has a surprise business partner — a 20-something half-sister named Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) that she never knew she had.

The show also shares behind-the-scenes talent with the original “Reba” series but it’s not a sequel or reboot, McEntire told TODAY.com at an NBC event at Universal Studios promoting the network’s fall comedy lineup. NBC is owned by NBCUniversal, TODAY’s parent company.

Further, she said there’s no chance of the original series “Reba” being rebooted at this time.

“Because this is the showrunner, the producers, everybody from the ‘Reba’ show is on this show,” McEntire said “I think it was a really good idea that we didn’t try to do a remake, even though I miss all the other characters and the cast of the ‘Reba’ show.”

“Reba” starred McEntire as a quippy single mom who works two jobs — IYKYK — who struggles to take care of everyone in her home following her husband leaving her for his dental hygienist.

While “Happy’s Place” is also a comedy with some of the same actors, that’s about where the similarities end. The new series features McEntire as a bar owner in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the wake of her father’s death who discovers she has a much younger half-sister she never knew about.

“It’s just a new fresh idea and we’re going down a different road,” she said, thanking fans for tuning into “Reba” after all these years. The original series is currently available for streaming in the U.S. on Netflix.

“Now, come over and watch us at ‘Happy’s Place!'” she laughed.

Escobedo said that working with an established crew meant she immediately felt welcomed and surrounded by “love and compassion.”

“They made it very welcoming immediately and just at ease,” she said. “And Reba (McEntire) over here makes everything better on set. “

Tokala Black Elk, who plays tavern waiter Takoda, told TODAY.com that the audition process was very intense — so much so that by the time they arrived on set, “we just meshed with each other.”

“It’s amazing, I come home and I’m just like (dances excitedly) every time after work,” he said.

Pablo Castelblanco, who plays accountant Steve in the show, agreed.

“They made us feel so giddy, so welcome, it was one of the best things to just join them,” Castelblanco told TODAY.com.

Melissa Peterman, who appeared in the original “Reba” series and also stars in the upcoming “Happy’s Place,” agreed that it was a joy to work with the “Reba” team again.

“And what we all know that Reba McEntire is great at is she brings those laughs and she always stays grounded in a lot of heart,” Peterman said.

“Happy’s Place” premieres on Friday, Oct. 18 on NBC at 8 p.m. PT/ET.