It seems that Reba still can't shake Barbra Jean all these years later.
Reba McEntire and her former Reba co-star Melissa Peterman are reuniting for Lifetime's The Hammer, a crime drama inspired by the life of traveling circuit judge Kim Wanker. Deadline reports that McEntire will serve as an executive producer on the film, her second collaboration with Lifetime after last year's Reba McEntire's Christmas in Tune.
McEntire will star as Kim "The Hammer" Wheeler, one of the last traveling judges left in America. Wheeler is designated Judge of the 5th District of Nevada—a desolate, lawless stretch between Las Vegas and Reno—when the reigning judge dies. The fiery lawyer, known for her no-nonsense brand of justice, quickly earns the nickname "The Hammer" as she lays down the law swiftly and strictly. Peterman joins the cast as Kim's sister Kris, a brothel owner and prime suspect in the former judge's suspicious death.
McEntire's real-life partner Rex Linn (CSI: Miami) will star as mysterious cowboy Bart Crawford, with Kay Shioma Metchie (Totally Normal) as Vicky, a strict bailiff and Kim's close friend.
Per Deadline, The Hammer is produced by The Cartel and Pahrump Pictures. Stan Spry, Eric Woods, Anthony Fankhauser, Steven St. Arnaud executive produced alongside McEntire; Jeff Beesley directed the film from a script by Karen Wyscarver and Sanford Golden.
The Reba Co-Stars Became Close Friends While Filming
Running from 2001 to 2007, Reba followed Reba Hart (McEntire), a single mom who worked too hard, loved her kids and never stopped—even when her husband Brock (Christopher Rich) left her for his mistress, Barbra Jean (Peterman). Although Reba spends most of the show trying to distance herself from the ditzy, ever-cheerful new wife, the two eventually become friends by the end of the series.
McEntire and Peterman also became close friends in real life while filming and have worked on a handful of projects together since Reba wrapped.
"We just like to hang out and have fun and play and work together," McEntire told Access Hollywood in a 2020 interview where Peterman surprised the country music star as a guest (above). The two talked about the possibility of a Reba reboot and a podcast they started, Living & Learning with Reba McEntire. The duo have also appeared together on CMT's Working Class, Freeform's Baby Daddy, and both recur on CBS' Young Sheldon.
A release date for The Hammer is still TBA.