The made-up story about a real-life judge premieres Jan. 7 on Lifetime.
Disorder in the court? Not while Reba McEntire can bring The Hammer down.
The country music icon and TV sitcom star — currently cast against type as bad news in Big Sky — stars as a jurist who hands down justice like nobody else in the two-hour drama set to premiere at 8 pm ET Jan. 7 on Lifetime. But wait, there’s more: The movie reunites McEntire with Melissa Peterman, her co-star during the six-season run of Reba.
Based on the exploits of traveling circuit judge Kim Wanker, The Hammer showcases McEntire as Kim Wheeler, an outspoken and unfiltered lawyer who is appointed Judge of the 5th District of Nevada, and is one of the few traveling judges left in America. After her predecessor dies under suspicious circumstances, Kim finds herself covering a circuit that stretches between Las Vegas and Reno. With equal measures of sass and brass, she lays down the law and wields a ready gavel with a no-nonsense brand of jurisprudence that quickly earns her the nickname “The Hammer.” But as the investigation of the former judge’s death heats up, and Kim’s sister Kris (Peterman), who runs the local brothel, suddenly becomes the prime suspect — Kim must work even harder than usual to strike a blow against the guilty.
Directed by Jeff Beesley (A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe), The Hammer also stars McEntire’s real-life partner Rex Linn as Bart Crawford, a mysterious cowboy with unknown motives, and Kay Shioma Metchie as Vicky, the tough talking bailiff who serves as Kim’s right hand and trusted friend.
Here is a trailer for The Hammer.
And here is a look at Judge Kim Wanker, the real-life judge who inspired The Hammer.
