Netflix’s fan-favorite show Sweet Magnolias has just released season 4, and the new season revealed major changes to the Sweet Magnolias books. Sweet Magnolias is based on the book series of the same name, written by Sherryl Woods. Many of the Sweet Magnolias characters are also in the books (although not all of them), but their stories have begun to look quite different as the Netflix show has released additional seasons.
The Sweet Magnolias season 4 ending in particular revealed some major deviations from the original Sweet Magnolias story arcs in the books. However, even early on in this brand-new season, Sweet Magnolias included some truly shocking twists that changed the books considerably. These 8 plot points from Sweet Magnolias season 4 represent the biggest changes that the show made to the books this season.
8. Isaac’s Storyline Didn’t Exist In The Books
Isaac Is Bill’s Secret Son On Netflix, But That Story Is New
Isaac was shockingly revealed to be yet another child of Bill Townsend’s, in addition to Maddie’s three kids, Ty, Kyle, and Katie, and Noreen’s daughter, Bex. As Isaac was quite a bit older, though, this was arguably an even bigger scandal than when Bill had an affair with Noreen. Perhaps for that reason, very few people, even in season 4, had any idea that Isaac was Bill’s son. That changed very suddenly when Bonnie, Bill’s mother, declared the truth in front of a room full of Serenity townspeople.
Despite all the drama this parentage has brought about throughout Sweet Magnolias, Isaac was not a character in the books at all. Isaac was invented for the Netflix show, meaning that all the storylines pertaining to Isaac have only existed in the show. This includes Isaac’s relation to Bill, of course, but it now also includes his relationship with Michael, his friendship with Noreen, and his job in Dana Sue’s kitchen. It also seems Isaac is only growing closer to Maddie and Bill’s three children.
Isaac was invented for the Netflix show, meaning that all the storylines pertaining to Isaac have only existed in the show.
7. Annie’s Struggle With An Eating Disorder Isn’t A Focus Of The Show
This Heartbreaking Plot Is A Major Part Of The Sweet Magnolias Books
Annie, Dana Sue’s daughter, is a major character in both the books and the show, but her character arc has changed quite a bit in the Netflix series. Specifically, in the Sweet Magnolias books, Annie struggles with an eating disorder, and that is a major plot point. Sweet Magnolias has evidently opted not to focus on this story, as Annie’s story arc has instead focused on her complex relationship with her dad (which has improved considerably over the seasons), her romance with Ty, and her passion for photography.
That isn’t to say that this plot will never happen in the show, though. Sweet Magnolias season 5 isn’t yet confirmed, but many are hoping Netflix will renew the show for a second season. If the show is renewed, it’s possible this storyline from the books will be used in the new season or possible future seasons. It seems somewhat unlikely this will happen, as it would be a significant change for the character, but it’s not out of the question.
6. Noreen Only Stays In Serenity In The Netflix Series
Noreen Becomes A Major Character On The Show, But That Wasn’t The Case In The Books
In the Sweet Magnolias Netflix series, Noreen ends up putting down roots in Serenity and developing a friendly relationship with Maddie and her children, which is a major departure from her story in the books. In the Sweet Magnolias books, Noreen returns home to Tennessee after she and Bill have their affair, and she stays there. Although a less significant change, in the books, Noreen also has a son, not a daughter.
This change with Noreen remaining in Serenity has completely reshaped not only Noreen’s character but other main characters as well. This plot has especially been a point of growth for Maddie, who went from (understandably) resenting Noreen to accepting her and even welcoming her into the family in many ways. Noreen has also become increasingly important in Serenity, befriending Isaac and working in childcare.
5. Ty Didn’t Go On Tour In Europe In The Books
This Storyline Is About To Have Major Implications For The Netflix Show
Among the major reveals in Sweet Magnolias season 4 was Ty’s huge career opportunity to go on tour in Europe as an opener for another band. This is a major change from Ty’s story in the books, and it directly influenced Annie’s decision about Ty in season 4. In the books, Ty remains dedicated to baseball, ultimately playing for the Atlanta Braves.
It remains to be seen what this career change will mean for Ty’s story in Sweet Magnolias moving forward, especially in light of his relationship with Annie. In the first episode of season 4, Ty and Annie finally became an official couple. By the end of season 4, though, Ty was given this opportunity and Annie got into her dream school in California, sending them thousands of miles in opposite directions. Initially, they both seemed happy for each other, but when Ty asked Annie to defer enrollment and join him on tour, Annie ended the relationship.
It remains to be seen what this career change will mean for Ty’s story in Sweet Magnolias moving forward, especially in light of his relationship with Annie.
In the Sweet Magnolias books, Ty and Annie end up married, and it’s now unclear whether the Netflix show will follow that storyline at all. It’s worth noting, Annie also stays in Serenity in the books, which means that this entire storyline in the show has made multiple major changes to Annie and Ty’s relationship in the books. If the show is picked up for a fifth season, it will be interesting to see what happens with this story.
4. Maddie And Her Mother-In-Law Don’t Hate Each Other In The Books
Tensions Run High Between Maddie And Bonnie In Season 4
One of the biggest skirmishes in Sweet Magnolias season 4 is between Maddie and her mother-in-law, Bonnie. During the first episode of season 4, it’s clear that Maddie and Bonnie do not get along, as she, Dana Sue, and Helen joke about Bonnie appearing if they say her name three times. The extent of their disdain for one another becomes clear when Bonnie arrives in the very next episode to reveal the shocking twist that Bill has died. In light of the tragedy, Maddie tries to make nice, but Bonnie becomes increasingly vitriolic.
The animosity between Maddie and Bonnie comes to a head after Bill’s funeral, when Maddie catches Bonnie’s hand just before Bonnie strikes her in the face. This came on the heels of Bonnie making near constant comments about how Maddie, her kids, and various other characters aren’t mourning Bill properly. Interestingly, in the Sweet Magnolias books, none of this tension between Maddie and Bonnie exists. Bill is barely in the books, so the same is true of his mother.
In the Sweet Magnolias books, none of this tension between Maddie and Bonnie exists.
3. Cal And Maddie’s Wedding Isn’t A Surprise In The Original Story
Maddie’s Wedding Decision Caused Rifts Between The Show’s Best Friends
Sweet Magnolias season 4, episode 1, ended in a shocking way not only for audiences but also for many characters. Cal and Maddie host what almost everyone believes to be a Halloween party, but it is secretly their wedding. This leads to a rare rift between Maddie and her best friends, Helen and Dana Sue, because they felt caught off guard and excluded.
This issue doesn’t arise in the books, however, because in the Sweet Magnolias books, Maddie and Cal’s wedding isn’t a surprise. Instead, they have a fairly conventional engagement and wedding, with Maddie’s best friends involved in the process. This was a bit of an odd choice for the Netflix show to make, not only because it was out of character for Maddie but also because it was paired with a one-year time jump that skipped over Cal and Maddie’s engagement. That Helen and Dana Sue had arguably self-centered reactions to the wedding made it all the worse.
2. Maddie Doesn’t Move To New York City In The Books
This Revelation In Season 4 Leaves The Show’s Future In Question
One of the most shocking revelations in season 4, and a major deviation from the Sweet Magnolias books, is the twist that Maddie is moving to New York. Despite Sweet Magnolias being exclusively focused on the small town of Serenity, South Carolina, Maddie’s story has taken a surprising turn right at the end of season 4 with the announcement that she has accepted a publishing job in New York. This plotline for Maddie didn’t exist in the books, which has left a host of massive questions unanswered after season 4.
It’s difficult to imagine Serenity without Maddie, but it’s even more difficult to imagine Sweet Magnolias splitting time between Serenity and New York, especially because it will mean the three best friends no longer sharing the screen together (at least not nearly as often). It’s also unclear whether Maddie’s family will move with her, which would only change the show that much more. With season 5 not confirmed and such a massive change—that hasn’t followed the books at all—it will be interesting to see if/how the show continues.
It’s difficult to imagine Serenity without Maddie, but it’s even more difficult to imagine Sweet Magnolias splitting time between Serenity and New York.
1. Bill Townsend Doesn’t Die In The Books
Bill Is A Very Minor Character In The Sweet Magnolias Books
Easily the biggest shock of season 4 is the revelation that Bill Townsend has suddenly died. Bill was not a fan favorite, in light of his affair with Noreen and his treatment of both Noreen and Maddie. He had also taken up with Kathy, Ronnie’s often difficult sister (who isn’t in the books), which didn’t help him become any more likable. Even so, it was genuinely surprising and tragic that he died at a fairly young age and seemingly out of nowhere.
This is yet another huge change from the books, as, not only did Bill not die in the books, but also, he was barely in the books at all. There was tension due to Maddie’s divorce from Bill and her budding romance with Cal, but Bill was certainly not a main character in the books, especially after he and Maddie split. It seems this choice was made in the Netflix show to offer some sort of major plot twist that the characters had to cope with and grow from in the new season.
Unfortunately for Bill, the impact on the main characters—including his own children—was minimal at best. They were clearly sad to hear of their dad’s passing, but, as Bonnie herself pointed out, their grieving process wasn’t what one might expect. While this was one of the most surprising plots in Sweet Magnolias season 4 and the most significant departure from the books in the new season, Bill’s death is sadly unlikely to have too significant an impact moving forward.
