After the third season arrived on Netflix in 2023, longtime viewers were already eagerly awaiting any Sweet Magnolias season 4 news to clarify the future of Maddie, Dana, Helen, and the rest of the Serenity townsfolk. Through the first three seasons, Sweet Magnolias told tales of drama, romance, and more than one hidden secret. The show is based on the novels by Sherryl Woods, and follows three South Carolina women who have been friends since childhood. Now, they deal with their complex lives, romance, careers, and families.
The third season of Sweet Magnolias hit Netflix in July 2023, and continued the story of these three friends and their ups and downs in life. With season 3 tackling how Maddie tries to figure out Cal’s anger issues, Helen lost in a confusing mix of postpartum grief and a proposal from Ryan, and Dana Sue reconciling with her husband, there is a lot that will define the Sweet Magnolias season 4 story and beyond. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait for news because season 4 has been renewed.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Recent News
A Trailer For Season 4 Is Finally Revealed
With the show’s return slated for early February, the latest news arrives in the form of a trailer for Sweet Magnolias season 4. Big changes are coming to town, and the three titular Magnolias are each struggling to carry their own burdens. Dana Sue tries to adjust to her increasingly empty nest, and must turn to her two best friends to lighten her load. Meanwhile, a protest to save the library shatters the usual lighthearted tone of Serenity, and sparks could fly from the most unlikely of places.
The official synopsis of season 4 reads (via Netflix):
This season, storms — both emotional and meteorological — disrupt life in Serenity, bringing Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue even closer in unexpected ways. It’ll also feature the women celebrating the holiday season — from Halloween to Christmas — with surprising laughter, unexpected heartbreak, and renewed resolve. (Don’t worry — margaritas are involved too.)
While negotiating the twists and turns of their romantic lives, Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen must also navigate the return of old foes, the loss of great loves, and the painful transition from old dreams to new ones. As the men in their lives pursue their own goals and their teenagers take uneasy steps toward adulthood, the Magnolias support each other with creative problem-solving, deep-hearted commitment, and — as always — weekly margaritas.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Release Date
Fans Can Return To Serenity Soon
Season 3 was not a conclusive ending for Sweet Magnolias, thus Netflix renewed the series for another season in October 2023. The renewal wasn’t particularly surprising, but the multi-month delay was a worrying sign that the show might have been axed, especially with Netflix’s growing reputation for cutting great shows after season 3. However, those fears proved unfounded, and the uncertainty in Hollywood due to the strikes might likely have made Netflix reticent to make a move.
The wait would still be a long one after the show was renewed, but Netflix finally placed the show on the calendar at the end of 2024. Confirming that all 10 episodes of Sweet Mangolias season 4 would be released early in 2025, it was confirmed that the new episodes premiere on February 6, 2025.
Season 3 of Sweet Magnolias premiered on July 20, 2023.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Cast
The Ensemble Cast Will Return
Sweet Magnolias season 4 will almost surely see the return of most of the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast, especially the three main magnolias. This includes JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend, Brooke Elliot as Dana Sue Sullivan, and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur. It’s not clear if Chris Klein will return for the Sweet Magnolias season 4 cast as Bill Townsend, because season 3 ended with him deciding to leave Serenity for a while. It’s possible Klein could return as a guest star or a recurring cast member instead of a series regular.
There have also been some new cast members announced – Kamarion Miller, who will be joining the show in the recurring role of Carter Glass, and Nikita Patel, whose character has not been revealed.
The presumptive cast of season 4 includes:
| Actor | Sweet Magnolias Role | |
|---|---|---|
| JoAnna Garcia Swisher | Maddie Townsend |
 |
| Brooke Elliot | Dana Sue Sullivan |
 |
| Heather Headley | Helen Decatur |
 |
| Logan Allen | Kyle Townsend |
 |
| Carson Rowland | Tyler “Ty” Townsend |
 |
| Anneliese Judge | Annie Sullivan |
 |
| Justin Bruening | Cal Maddox |
 |
| Jamie Lynn Spears | Noreen Fitzgibbons |
 |
| Dion Johnstone | Erik Whitley |
 |
| Brandon Quinn | Ronnie Sullivan |
 |
| Ella Grace Helton | Katie Townsend |
 |
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Story Details
What Drama Will Happen In Season 4?
After spending so much of Sweet Magnolias season 3 on the outs, it’s likely that the Sweet Magnolias season 4 story won’t put the three best friends of the series at odds again. Season 3, despite its solid season finale reuniting the friends and bringing so many story resolutions, still leaves some open-ended storylines to set up Sweet Magnolias season 4.
the main Magnolias also have some relationship milestones to hit
After Trent resigned as Mayor, there’s a big opening in town – and Peggy may be the one to step into those shoes. Bill’s storyline with Isaac doesn’t quite feel finished yet, and there are ongoing questions about a blossoming relationship between Ty and Annie. Speaking of relationships, the main Magnolias also have some relationship milestones to hit – Cal and Maddie are putting the pieces back together, and could well take the next step in the upcoming season, while Helen and Erik also have some unfinished business.
Sweet Magnolias’ charming town of Serenity feels like a magical place. The majority of the show is shot on-location in a real town, surprisingly.
Beyond the relationships between the characters getting more story time, just what the story of Sweet Magnolias season 4 could be is still up in the air. There are 11 novels of source material by author Sherryl Woods and the first season of the show only covered events of the first three, while the rest of the series doesn’t follow the novels exactly. There are still other storylines the Netflix series could surprise viewers with by pulling from the later Sweet Magnolias books.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Trailer
With only a few days to go until the season 4 premiere, Netflix dropped a full trailer for Sweet Magnolias in January 2025. The long trailer opens with each of the Magnolias dealing with their own rapidly-changing lives. Even as they each try to carry their own burdens alone, they come together for their weekly margaritas in order to support one another. Meanwhile, strife has come to Serenity, and it mirrors the trouble that is being felt within the households of Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen.
