Kevin Abbott, showrunner for NBC's Happy's Place, discussed the Season 2 finale and previewed potential Season 3 developments in a recent interview. He highlighted ongoing tensions in Bobbie and Emmett's relationship and Bobbie's unresolved feelings toward her late father. Abbott also expressed interest in bringing back guest stars like Jane Lynch and exploring new arcs.
The Season 2 finale of Happy's Place featured Bobbie (Reba McEntire) and her half-sister Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) in a therapy session with a counselor played by Eric Stonestreet. The session resurfaced Bobbie's resentment toward her late father, Happy, for concealing Isabella's existence. Bobbie realized she no longer holds a grudge against her ex-boyfriend Emmett (Rex Linn) for keeping the secret, which ended their relationship, but Emmett, after breaking up with Monica, declared he was done opening up emotionally and needed space from Bobbie. Abbott explained that the couple's faster-than-expected progression allowed for fun moments before the inevitable fallout, describing it as a slow-burn dynamic. He noted flexibility in Season 3 planning, weighing options for the most compelling stories while emphasizing trust issues Emmett must overcome. Bobbie's arc will delve deeper into her idealized view of Happy, portraying him as flawed yet loving. Abbott aims to explore this reckoning, alongside potential returns for Justina Machado as Maritza and Jane Lynch as Valerie, Gabby's sharp-tongued mother. Gabby's storyline shifted from pregnancy to healing her rift with Valerie, deepening her character. For guest stars, Abbott hopes to feature Octavia Spencer and welcomes back Steve Howey and JoAnna Garcia Swisher if schedules allow, prioritizing collaborative storytelling.
