Will Sweet Magnolias Return for Season 5? Latest Updates & What to Expect

Netflix’s charming dramedy series Sweet Magnolias has quietly become one of the streamer’s biggest hits, but will it get renewed for season 5 soon? Based on the novels by Sherryl Woods (and debuting back in 2020), the series concerns a trio of life-long friends who live in a picturesque town in South Carolina. While trying to tend to their own families and careers, the group supports each other through the many ups and downs that life throws at them. Beloved for its low-stakes drama, Sweet Magnolias has already amassed an impressive run on Netflix.

Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias returns to Serenity, and catches up with the ensemble after a short time jump. Though the usual romance, twists, and turns are all there, the titular Magnolias are also starting to deal with their rapidly changing lives. The ending of Sweet Magnolias season 4 sees the main characters all in new places (both literally and figuratively) and that sets the stage for a fifth season that is exciting and unique as well. Though the coziness of Sweet Magnolias is its biggest draw, the chance for a change of pace could guarantee season 5’s success.

Sweet Magnolias Season 5 Is Not Confirmed

Netflix Has Yet To Renew The Charming Southern Dramedy

With the fourth season still so fresh, it isn’t particularly surprising that Netflix hasn’t renewed Sweet Magnolias season 5 yet. However, it’s unlikely that the wait will be too long to learn the fate of the dramedy, as Netflix has been pretty consistent when it comes to ordering new episodes. With the show now taking big swings with its characters, it’s clear that Sweet Magnolias is in a transition period. That could mean that more episodes are definitely on the way, or it could represent some anxiety surrounding the ongoing cozy drama.

Sweet Magnolias season 4 premiered on February 6, 2025.

Considering the extended waits for other popular Netflix shows, Sweet Magnolias has been pretty consistent when it comes to delivering episodes. When coupled with shows like Virgin River, Netflix has amassed a pretty impressive roster of sleeper hits, and those smaller (but still very popular) programs are necessary to offset the tentpoles like Stranger Things and Wednesday.

Sweet Magnolias Season 5 Cast Details

Who Returns To Serenity & Who Leaves In Season 5

While the large ensemble cast of Sweet Magnolias is perhaps its strongest aspect, there is one character who won’t be returning in season 5. Though he had his ups and downs throughout the first handful of seasons, Bill Townsend (played by Chris Klein) was undoubtedly part of the fabric of Serenity, and his season 4 death was truly shocking. On a lighter note, it’s expected that the trio of Magnolias will be back with JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend, Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur.

Various other supporting characters are expected back too, including Anneliese Judge as Annie, who is still trying to pursue her relationship with Ty (Carson Rowland), despite their lives diverging along two different paths. The spouses should all come back too, with Helen’s beau Erik (Dion Johnstone) finally proposing in season 4, and Ronnie (Brandon Quinn) finally committing to a future with Dana Sue. Justin Bruening’s Cal Maddox struck up a new thing with Maddie, but it’s unclear how her move will change their burgeoning love.

The presumptive cast of Sweet Magnolias season 5 includes:

Actor Sweet Magnolias Role
JoAnna Garcia Swisher Maddie Townsend
JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie in Sweet Magnolias season 4
Brooke Elliott Dana Sue Sullivan
Brooke Elliot as Dana Sue on Sweet Magnolias
Heather Headley Helen Decatur
Helen from Sweet Magnolias season 3 stands smiling at the camera in a colorful outfit.
Anneliese Judge Annie Sullivan
Annie looking annoyed on Sweet Magnolias
Carson Rowland Ty Townsend
Tyler looking off camera in Sweet Magnolias
Dion Johnstone Erik Whitley
Erik smiling at Dana in Sweet Magnolias
Brandon Quinn Ronnie Sullivan
Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue and Brandon Quinn as Ronnie in Sweet Magnolias season 3 episode 10
Justin Bruening Cal Maddox
Justin Bruening as Cal and JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie in Sweet Magnolias season 4
Chris Medlin Isaac Downey
Isaac finding out his parentage on Sweet Magnolias

Sweet Magnolias Season 5 Story Details

Big Changes Are Coming For The Magnolias

Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias had a lot of catching up to do, and after a time jump between seasons 3 and 4, there were already some big changes in Serenity. However, as things progressed, a clearer picture of season 5’s potential storylines was painted by the season finale. Perhaps the most pressing issue that will need to be explored in season 5 is Maddie’s decision regarding the move to NYC. She was offered the job of a lifetime with a firm in Manhattan, and she’s seriously considering taking the job. This would fulfill her career ambitions, but it would also take her far away from Serenity, and her life-long friends.

This would fulfill her career ambitions, but it would also take her far away from Serenity, and her life-long friends.

Elsewhere, Dana is prepping for her new cooking school, and Helen is finally starting to get serious with Erik after the proposal. Another big question is the status of Annie and Ty’s relationship, and it appears that the young lovebirds are heading down different paths. Annie got accepted to her dream school in California, while Ty’s band is about to embark on a huge tour. With Annie rejecting Ty’s offer to go on tour, they may try to make the long-distance thing work, or break up instead.

With so much change happening around Serenity, it’s clear that Sweet Magnolias season 5 could be a brand-new chapter for the series and explore the world beyond South Carolina. Season 5 could follow Annie to California and Maddie to NYC, and open the door for brand-new friendships (and maybe loves as well) on opposite sides of the country. That doesn’t mean there won’t be exciting developments in Serenity too, but the scope could expand in future episodes.