Reba’s JoAnna Garcia Hints at Upcoming Debut of Happy’s Place Soon

JoAnna García Swisher is the final Reba alum yet to make an appearance on NBC’s Happy’s Place, but that may change soon.

“I am so excited to go shake things up over there with them,” Swisher, 45, shared exclusively with Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with Ziploc. “Steve Howey has already been on the show, and Chris Rich has also made an appearance.”

Swisher, known for her role as Cheyenne in Reba, is looking forward to the possibility of reuniting with former co-stars Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman on their new NBC series, Happy’s Place.

“This is my family. We are all very close, but having the chance to step back onto a sitcom stage with them would be incredibly exciting,” she teased to Us ahead of the show’s second season. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens in the very near future.”

Happy’s Place debuted in October 2024, reuniting McEntire, 70, and Peterman, 54, more than 17 years after their beloved series Reba concluded its six-year run on The WB. Reba also featured Scarlett Pomers and Mitch Holleman, both of whom have yet to guest star on NBC’s sitcom.

Swisher’s update regarding her potential appearance comes two months after McEntire confirmed to Us that Swisher is “definitely” next in line.

“JoAnna is very busy. She’s producing, working on three films, and is involved with Sweet Magnolias. She’s incredibly busy, but she did say she’d definitely join us,” McEntire told Us exclusively. “Melissa Peterman, JoAnna, and Steve Howey have all been quite busy. We were thrilled to have Steve in our Christmas episode and to bring Chris [Rich] back — that was truly special.”

Swisher expressed how “really fun” it was to witness Howey and Rich’s appearances in season 1. Reflecting on Reba’s impact, Swisher described it as “one of the greatest gifts” of her career.

“We were part of a show that truly became a significant part of people’s lives. That show was monumental for me, both personally and professionally. I have so many fond memories, and I learned so much from Reba about navigating life — as a businesswoman, creative, and mom, among many other things,” she remarked. “She was incredibly inspiring, and still is. It has influenced so much of my life, and our close connection is a testament to that bond. Such opportunities don’t come around often.”

JoAnna, who shares two daughters with her husband Nick Swisher, has enjoyed revisiting her past as her kids now watch the show.

“They find it odd that I have blonde hair since they only know me as a redhead. But it’s a lot of fun, and that’s the magic of great TV. It truly withstands the test of time,” she told Us. “They discovered it on Netflix, and it’s on cable a hundred times a day.”

Besides reliving memories with her kids by rewatching Reba, JoAnna has also partnered with Ziploc to help families across North America understand that food preservation can be simple by sharing effective tips for a smarter lunch routine.

“Ziploc is a big part of our daily life, and it has been enjoyable. We prioritize reducing food waste as a family, and I was eager to share how we minimize it in our lives,” she explained. “As my kids get older, they’re becoming more vocal about their lunch preferences, which revolves around our Ziploc bags.”

JoAnna elaborated, “We set up little prep stations to simplify our mornings. This approach prevents me from opening a lunchbox filled with uneaten food at the end of the day. I’m always seeking ways to ensure my girls have balanced, healthy lunches, and I love good organization. Ziploc helps with all of that.”

She wrapped up by saying, “Even now, while I’m working on season 5 of Sweet Magnolias, I bring a lunchbox to work because I’m always snacking and wanting quick, healthy options. I frequently reach into our snack bin, which makes grab-and-go easy and keeps everything fresher longer. It’s convenient, and it all looks great too.”