Emma Kenny called Shameless’ Steve Howie after booking Happy’s place

After booking the role of Reba McEntiredaughter of Happy’s place, Emma Kenny got support – and sound advice – from none other than her Shameless costar Steve Howie.

“I was very excited to be a part of Happy’s place and works with Reba. I worked with Steve Howey for a long time, who also worked with Reba for a long time. So going into it, I called him,” Kenny, 25, exclusively said Us Weekly. “He had nothing but amazing things to say about her, and he wasn’t wrong.”

Kenny had “such a great time” works with McEntire, 69, who previously shared the screen with Howey, 47, on Reba sitcom. “She has such a kind, generous and welcoming energy, which is very special when you’re joining an established cast to feel that way,” Kenny noted. “So I was very lucky to have him.”

After sharing the screen with McEntire, Howie went on to star alongside Kenny in the hit Showtime series Shameless. Howie went back to his roots with a guest role Happy’s place earlier this season, which set the stage for a potential screen date between him and Kenny.

“I would love to get back on set with Steve. He is one of my favorite people and the funniest person,” gushed the actress us. “He definitely looks like an uncle to me. And I would love to do scenes with him and Reba. That would be really fun.

For now, Kenny is celebrating the chance to act with McEntire after bringing the role of Gracie comes to life on the Friday, January 10 episode of NBC’s newest sitcom.

“I definitely felt a lot of responsibility going into this project and playing Reba’s daughter. She’s such an icon and such an established performer,” Kenny continued. “The show had already aired a few episodes when I started shooting. So obviously I watched what I could and tried to prepare in that sense. I definitely wanted to come and try to honor her daughter’s character.”

Part of Kenny’s preparation meant to develop his own opinion on character.

“She’s very tough and no-nonsense. “Gracie definitely has a lot of stamina and I would say determination,” she shared. “But I definitely wanted to bring some heart to her, and I wanted the audience to be able to see why she has that tough exterior.”

Kenny continued, “I always do an analysis of the character I record. Sometimes I choose a zodiac sign for the character, as strange as it sounds. It gives me a bit of perspective on this character. I chose (Gracie) to be a Capricorn. I felt it made sense to her.

Related: ‘Reba’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Reba McEntire proved she was more than just a country superstar when she hosted her own TV show — aptly named Reba. The sitcom ran for six seasons beginning in October 2001. until February 2007 McEntire plays the role of a single mother raising her three children – played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Scarlett Pommers and Mitch Holman (…)

While Kenny would love to reprise her role as Gracie, she’d also relish the chance to reunite with former cast members – including her Shameless family.

“I miss working with all of them. It’s always a sad and maybe nostalgic feeling when you end a show you’ve been doing for years because it will most likely never be the same cast. Although it does The Connors family (on ABC) gave me hope,” she admitted. “In the sense that they literally brought back the entire cast from their original show from the ’80s and ’90s. But I was very lucky to work with such wonderful people with whom I really formed strong bonds. I would love to get on set with any of them again.”

Happy’s place airs on NBC Fridays at 8pm ET.