Sweet Magnolias is an American romantic drama television series, developed by Sheryl J. Anderson and based on the Sweet Magnolias novels by Sherryl Woods. It stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley. The series premiered on Netflix on May 19, 2020.[1] In July 2020, the series was renewed for a second season.[2] The 10-episode second season premiered on February 4, 2022.[3] In May 2022, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on July 20, 2023.[4][5] In October 2023, the series was renewed for a fourth season.[6]
Sweet Magnolias | |
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Genre | Romantic drama |
Based on | Sweet Magnolias books by Sherryl Woods |
Developed by | Sheryl J. Anderson |
Starring |
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Music by | James Jandrisch |
Opening theme | "Destination" by Nickel Creek |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 30 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Cinematography | Brian Johnson |
Editors |
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Running time | 43–54 minutes |
Production company | Daniel L. Paulson Productions |
Original release | |
Network | Netflix |
Release | May 19, 2020 present | –
Sweet Magnolias follows "three South Carolina women, best friends since childhood, as they shepherd each other through the complexities of romance, career, and family."[7]
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
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1 | 1 | "Pour It Out" | Norman Buckley | Teleplay by : Sheryl J. Anderson | May 19, 2020 | |
Maddie and Bill are getting a divorce, and are having an argument about who is going to keep the house. Luckily for Maddie, Helen helps her keep the house. Meanwhile, their friend Dana Sue is seen firing her assistant, Brad, at her restaurant, because of stolen wine. She has a fight with her daughter, Annie, because Annie's behavior in town is not what Dana Sue expected. At the same time, Tyler is going through an emotional phase because of his parents' divorce and also talks about giving up on his dream of becoming a baseball player. Dana Sue and Helen get an idea of opening their own spa, with Maddie managing it, but it is too overwhelming for Maddie. | ||||||
2 | 2 | "A United Front" | Norman Buckley | Shelley Meals | May 19, 2020 | |
3 | 3 | "Give Drink to the Thirsty" | Kelli Williams | Anthony Epling | May 19, 2020 | |
4 | 4 | "Lay It All Down" | Kelli Williams | Francesca Butler | May 19, 2020 | |
5 | 5 | "Dance First, Think Later" | Norman Buckley | Caron Tschampion | May 19, 2020 | |
6 | 6 | "All Best Intentions" | Norman Buckley | Shelley Meals | May 19, 2020 | |
7 | 7 | "Hold My Hand" | Laura Nisbet Peters | Anthony Epling | May 19, 2020 | |
8 | 8 | "What Fools These Mortals Be" | Laura Nisbet Peters | Francesca Butler | May 19, 2020 | |
9 | 9 | "Where You Find Me" | Norman Buckley | Caron Tschampion | May 19, 2020 | |
10 | 10 | "Storms and Rainbows" | Norman Buckley | Sheryl J. Anderson | May 19, 2020 | |
Helen and Ryan decide to break up as he refuses to have children with Helen. Helen calls the girls and tells them her plans to meet with a specialist immediately about having children. Bill tries to become a better father for his children, spending time with Katie and buying tickets to Hamilton so he can become closer to Kyle. CeCe asks Ty to prom and he accepts. Kyle and Annie's plan to spend Prom Night alone is broken when Annie is asked to prom. Kyle then decides to hang with Nellie. Dana Sue is visited by Sullivan's silent partner and her former fling, Mica, who needs her to buy him out for personal reasons. Dana Sue is forced to call Ronnie to town so they can officially divorce. Ronnie wishes to return home. A scouter and longtime friend of Cal's tries recruiting Ty, upsetting Maddie and leading her to fight with Cal. Jackson crashes Kyle and (his sister) Nellie's party and brings the gang, including Ty, Annie, and Simon. Like last time, he takes all of the phones. Putting the pieces together, Isaac asks Dana Sue if she's his mother. Bill asks Maddie to take him back. Jackson provokes a fight with CeCe and Ty, leading Kyle to try to defend him. Ty throws him off, upsetting Kyle for always being ignored. He runs out of the house and the gang follows him. Erik and Helen grow closer. The ladies and Bill all receive a phone call and are rushed to the Highway where Ty's car is flipped over. Kyle's unconscious body is taken out of the car onto a stretcher, but the paramedics still do not know who the passenger is - Ty, Annie, or someone else - or if they're alive. |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
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11 | 1 | "Casseroles and Casualties" | Norman Buckley | Sheryl J. Anderson | February 4, 2022 |
12 | 2 | "So Much to Say" | Norman Buckley | Anthony Epling | February 4, 2022 |
13 | 3 | "The More Things Change" | Mykelti Williamson | Valerie C. Woods | February 4, 2022 |
14 | 4 | "Walk of Faith" | Mykelti Williamson | Caron Tschampion | February 4, 2022 |
15 | 5 | "Great Expectations" | Norman Buckley | Shani Am. Moore | February 4, 2022 |
16 | 6 | "Find It in Your Heart" | Norman Buckley | Anthony Epling | February 4, 2022 |
17 | 7 | "Fragile Things" | Yangzom Brauen | Valerie C. Woods | February 4, 2022 |
18 | 8 | "The Rules of the Game" | Yangzom Brauen | Caron Tschampion | February 4, 2022 |
19 | 9 | "Dear Heart" | Mary Lou Belli | Shani Am. Moore | February 4, 2022 |
20 | 10 | "If Thou Wilt, Remember" | Mary Lou Belli | Sheryl J. Anderson | February 4, 2022 |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
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21 | 1 | "Meaning to Tell You" | Norman Buckley | Sheryl J. Anderson | July 20, 2023 |
22 | 2 | "Meet Me Where I Am" | Norman Buckley | Caron Tschampion | July 20, 2023 |
23 | 3 | "The Searchers" | Lauren Petzke | Anthony Epling | July 20, 2023 |
24 | 4 | "Be Bold" | Lauren Petzke | Barret Helms | July 20, 2023 |
25 | 5 | "On This Foundation" | Norman Buckley | Shani Am. Moore | July 20, 2023 |
26 | 6 | "And a Star to Steer Her By" | Norman Buckley | Teleplay by : Caron Tschampion Story by : Anthony Epling | July 20, 2023 |
27 | 7 | "Somebody I'm Longing to See" | Joy T. Lane | Anthony Epling | July 20, 2023 |
28 | 8 | "Beat Me at My Own Game" | Joy T. Lane | Shani Am. Moore | July 20, 2023 |
29 | 9 | "A Game of Telephone" | Mary Lou Belli | Barret Helms | July 20, 2023 |
30 | 10 | "Save My Place" | Mary Lou Belli | Sheryl J. Anderson & Sara Jumel | July 20, 2023 |
On September 27, 2018, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. The series was based on the Sweet Magnolias book series by Sherryl Woods and executive producers were expected to include Woods, Sheryl J. Anderson, and Dan Paulson. Anderson was also set to serve as the series' showrunner. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Daniel L. Paulson Productions.[7] The series premiered on May 19, 2020.[1] Norman Buckley directed six of the episodes and served as co-executive producer.[10] On July 23, 2020, Netflix renewed the series for a second season which premiered on February 4, 2022.[2][3] On May 4, 2022, Netflix renewed the series for a third season which was released on July 20, 2023.[4][5] On October 19, 2023, Netflix renewed the series for a fourth season.[6]
On May 20, 2019, Monica Potter, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley were announced as the leads.[11] On July 1, 2019, it was reported that Chris Klein, Jamie Lynn Spears, and Justin Bruening had joined the cast as series regulars.[12] On August 1, 2019, JoAnna Garcia Swisher was cast as Maddie Townsend, replacing Potter who was originally cast as the lead.[13] On May 4, 2021, Dion Johnstone and Brandon Quinn were promoted to series regulars for second season.[8] In June 9, 2023, it was reported that Ella Grace Helton joined the cast in a recasting, replacing Bianca Berry Tarantino for the third season.[9]
Principal photography for the series began on July 8, 2019 in Covington, Georgia.[7][14] The second season began filming in April 2021 and wrapped up in July 2021.[15] Season 3 began filming in July 2022.
For the first season, review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 78% based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10.[16] The second season has an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10.[17] The third season holds a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10.[18]
In its first 30-days on Netflix, season 2 was watched globally on Netflix for 161.3 million hours.[19]