Where Are They Now? The Reba Stars' Massive Career Shifts And 2025 Reunion

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The enduring legacy of the *Reba* sitcom continues to captivate fans, but the biggest news in the world of "Reba stars" today, December 21, 2025, is the highly anticipated professional reunion that has brought two of the show's biggest names back together. Country music icon Reba McEntire and co-star Melissa Peterman (Barbra Jean) are headlining the new NBC sitcom *Happy's Place*, a project that confirms the cast's lasting bond and provides a fresh, modern chapter for the beloved stars. This new series, which is set to return in 2025 after a midseason hiatus, is just one piece of the puzzle, as the entire ensemble has taken fascinating and diverse career paths, ranging from major Netflix hits and new network dramas to quiet retirements and behind-the-camera work. The cast of the original series, which aired from 2001 to 2007, has collectively dominated the television landscape for the past two decades. While the show ended years ago, the careers of the "Reba stars" are more current and relevant than ever, with major 2024 and 2025 projects solidifying their status as television mainstays. The following deep dive explores the full cast's profiles and their current, most up-to-date projects, revealing who has found new stardom and who has stepped away from the spotlight entirely.

The Cast of Reba: A Comprehensive Profile and Biography

The core cast of *Reba* (Reba Hart, Brock Hart, Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery, Van Montgomery, Kyra Hart, and Jake Hart) formed one of the most memorable sitcom families of the 2000s. Here is a detailed look at the actors who brought the Hart family and Barbra Jean to life, including their key biographical details and most recent career moves for the 2025 season.

  • Reba McEntire (Reba Hart)
    • Born: March 28, 1955, McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Reba Nell Hart, the sharp-witted, recently divorced matriarch.
    • Current Projects (2025): Star and Executive Producer of the NBC sitcom *Happy's Place* (reuniting with Melissa Peterman). Continues as a coach on NBC’s *The Voice*. Also set to star in and produce the film adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel, *The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion*, through the independent faith-based studio Wonder Project.
  • Melissa Peterman (Barbra Jean Booker Hart)
    • Born: July 1, 1971, Edina, Minnesota, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Barbra Jean, Brock's eccentric, well-meaning second wife.
    • Current Projects (2025): Co-starring with Reba McEntire in the new NBC sitcom *Happy's Place*, playing a co-worker at Reba’s character’s new restaurant. This marks their highly publicized return to television together.
  • JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery)
    • Born: August 10, 1979, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery, Reba’s pregnant teenage daughter who marries Van.
    • Current Projects (2025): Stars as Maddie Townsend in the massively popular Netflix drama *Sweet Magnolias*, which is teasing its fifth season. She has also expanded her career by stepping into the director's chair, helming multiple episodes of the series. Swisher also hosted the Netflix reality show *The Ultimatum: Queer Love*.
  • Steve Howey (Van Montgomery)
    • Born: July 12, 1977, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Van Montgomery, Cheyenne's husband, a lovable but dim-witted former high school jock.
    • Current Projects (2025): After his long-running main role on the hit series *Shameless*, Howey has joined the cast of the new ABC drama *High Potential* as a series regular for its second season. He is also set to appear in Amazon’s upcoming college-set romantic drama, *Off Campus*.
  • Christopher Rich (Brock Hart)
    • Born: September 16, 1953, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Brock Hart, Reba’s ex-husband, a successful dentist who marries Barbra Jean.
    • Current Projects (2025): Rich remains an active figure in television, often appearing in popular Hallmark Channel movies and attending industry events, signifying his continued presence in the acting world.
  • Scarlett Pomers (Kyra Hart)
    • Born: November 28, 1988, Riverside, California, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Kyra Hart, Reba’s sarcastic, middle daughter.
    • Current Projects (2025): Following her work on *Reba*, Pomers largely stepped away from acting to focus on other interests, including photography and music. Her last major acting credit was the *Reba* series finale, marking a significant career shift away from the spotlight.
  • Mitch Holleman (Jake Hart)
    • Born: September 13, 1994, Auburn, New York, U.S.
    • Role on Reba: Jake Hart, Reba’s youngest son.
    • Current Projects (2025): Holleman has mostly remained out of the public eye since the show ended, though he has pursued a few independent film and small television roles. He is now focused on his personal life and other ventures outside of mainstream Hollywood.

The Reba-Peterman Dynamic: The 'Happy's Place' Reunion

The most compelling piece of "Reba stars" news is the creative partnership between Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman, which has been reignited for the new NBC sitcom *Happy's Place*. Peterman, whose character Barbra Jean was the comedic foil and eventual friend to Reba Hart, is now playing a co-worker to McEntire’s character, Bobbie, a woman who inherits her father’s restaurant.

The reunion is a massive win for fans of the original show, who adored the unique, combative, yet ultimately loving dynamic between Reba and Barbra Jean. The two actresses have maintained a close friendship off-screen, and their chemistry is expected to be the cornerstone of the new series. This move highlights a key trend in television: leveraging nostalgic cast reunions to launch new, successful projects. The show’s midseason return in 2025 is highly anticipated, proving that the comedic timing of these two stars is just as relevant now as it was two decades ago. The project is a testament to the strong professional and personal bonds formed on the set of *Reba* and an exciting new chapter for both actresses.

From Sitcom to Stardom: JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Steve Howey’s New Era

While the reunion of Reba and Melissa Peterman is generating buzz, the post-*Reba* careers of JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Steve Howey have been nothing short of spectacular, establishing them as major television forces in their own right. Their career paths demonstrate the diverse opportunities available to sitcom actors who successfully transition to new genres.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s Netflix Success: Swisher, who played the eldest daughter Cheyenne, has found a massive new audience as the lead of the popular Netflix drama *Sweet Magnolias*. The show, which follows the lives of three lifelong friends in the small town of Serenity, has become a global streaming phenomenon. Furthermore, Swisher has taken on a new challenge, making her directorial debut on the show and hosting the streaming giant's reality series *The Ultimatum: Queer Love*. This multifaceted career shift—from acting to directing and hosting—showcases her versatility and business acumen in the modern media landscape.

Steve Howey’s Network Dominance: Steve Howey, known to *Reba* fans as the lovable Van Montgomery, has had one of the most consistent and high-profile post-sitcom careers. After a decade-long run as Kevin Ball on the acclaimed Showtime series *Shameless*, Howey has immediately jumped into another major network role. He is now a series regular in the second season of the new ABC drama *High Potential*, and is also set to appear in Amazon's new college-set romantic drama. Howey's ability to transition from comedy to dramatic roles, and secure back-to-back long-running series, is a rare feat in Hollywood.

The Quiet Exits: Scarlett Pomers and Mitch Holleman

Not every "Reba star" chose to remain in the demanding world of acting. The careers of the two youngest Hart children, Kyra and Jake, took a different turn, offering a contrast to the high-profile work of their former castmates.

Scarlett Pomers (Kyra Hart): Scarlett Pomers, who played the sarcastic middle child Kyra, was a familiar face in Hollywood even before *Reba*, having appeared on *Star Trek: Voyager*. However, after the sitcom concluded, Pomers made the decision to step away from acting. She has since focused her creative energy on photography and music, choosing a path out of the intense media spotlight. This decision was a personal one, allowing her to pursue other passions outside of the television industry that made her famous.

Mitch Holleman (Jake Hart): Mitch Holleman, who played the youngest son Jake, was only seven years old when the show began. As an adult, he has also largely stayed out of the limelight, pursuing only a handful of small roles in independent films and minor television appearances. His path, like Pomers', suggests a preference for a life away from the intense scrutiny of a major network star, a common choice for child actors transitioning into adulthood.

The current projects of the *Reba* stars—from Reba McEntire’s new sitcom and film projects to the network and streaming success of JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Steve Howey—demonstrate the enduring talent and appeal of the cast. The 2025 television season is shaping up to be a true renaissance for this beloved ensemble, proving that the Hart family is still very much a part of the cultural conversation.

Where Are They Now? The Reba Stars' Massive Career Shifts and 2025 Reunion
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