Reba McEntire Teams Up With Lifetime For New Movie, "The Hammer"

Lifetime is teaming up once again with country music superstar and award-winning entertainer Reba McEntire for Reba McEntire’s The Hammer, a new movie inspired by real-life traveling circuit judge, Kim Wanker.

McEntire previously teamed up with Lifetime when she starred and executive produced Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune. The Hammer also reunites McEntire with her Reba co-star Melissa Peterman.

The film follows Kim Wheeler (McEntire), an outspoken, firecracker lawyer who is appointed Judge of the 5th District of Nevada and is one of the few traveling judges left in America. After the reigning judge passes away under suspicious circumstances, Kim finds herself covering a circuit that stretches between Las Vegas and Reno — a rugged, often desolate area where anything and everything can happen. With gavel in hand, she lays down the law with a no-nonsense brand of justice that quickly earns her the nickname “The Hammer.” As the investigation of the former judge’s death heats up, Kim’s sister Kris (Peterman), who runs the local brothel, suddenly becomes the prime suspect, and Kim must work even harder to make certain the appropriate justice is served.

The film also stars Rex Linn (Better Call Saul, Young Sheldon) as Bart Crawford, a mysterious cowboy with unknown motives and Kay Shioma Metchie (Siren, Totally Normal) as Vicky, the tough talking bailiff who serves as Kim’s right hand and trusted friend.

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Fun fact: McEntire and Linn are a real-life couple! The two met over 30 years ago, but only recently started dating. The pair celebrated their two-year anniversary back in March of 2022.

The real life Judge Wanker (pronounced „Wonker“) is actually known as „The Hammer“ and still serves as a traveling circuit judge in Nevada. Due to threats from those who don’t agree with the verdicts or sentences she hands down, Wanker packs a 9mm gun, drives a unmarked car, and is usually accompanied by a bailiff.