In an interview with Temple of Geek, Belissa Escobedo discussed the importance of playing Isabella on the NBC sitcom “Happy’s Place.” Isabella is the unexpected half-sister who serves as the show’s catalyst. The series begins when Bobbie (Reba McEntire) inherits her father’s tavern, Happy’s Place. Bobbie is surprised to discover that she has a new business partner: Isabella, a twentysomething half-sister she never knew she had. Escobedo noted her enthusiasm for finally being a character that is so vital to the story.
On Portraying a Complex Latina Character on Happy’s Place
Escobedo’s character, Isabella, is a young, high-achieving Latina who grapples with an abrupt change in her life’s trajectory. Escobedo highlighted the power of featuring a college graduate from a family with a strong matriarch, yet one who still confronts new uncertainties. And the power in her resolve and grace that defines her character.
Belissa Escobedo: I love it so much. I think a lot of my previous roles have been the sidekick role, and I love them and I have so much fun in them, but it’s nice to be something where my character is so vital to the story and kind of the shaping of it. There’s so much power in having a character who is a college graduate who has come from a very successful single mom. She’s a very successful lawyer. And around so many strong women, and having her come into this new life and really stand her ground, she was like, Look, I know I deserve this. I know that I have some rights to this. And it ruffled a lot of feathers, but she never backed down. And I think there’s just so much beauty in that. And she did it all with kindness and with grace throughout the whole thing. I think there were a lot of moments where she could have popped off, but she didn’t. And that’s just not her. And I really love that. Cause it’s so different than me.
Season 2 of Happy’s Place Coming Soon
Looking ahead to Season Two, Escobedo shared that Isabella will be on a journey of figuring herself out. She will be dealing with an existential crisis over her extended gap year and unused college degree. This arc involves breaking down those perfectionist walls to reveal her vulnerable side. Happy’s Place Season 2 premieres Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and will be available the next day on Peacock.
Latinos in Comedy: Belissa Escobedo and Pablo Castelblanco Discuss “Happy’s Place”
