Sweet Magnolias

Last updated
Sweet Magnolias
Sweet Magnolias Title Card.png
Genre Romantic drama
Based onSweet Magnolias books
by Sherryl Woods
Developed bySheryl J. Anderson
Starring
Music byJames Jandrisch
Opening theme"Destination" by Nickel Creek
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producers
  • Sherryl Woods
  • Sheryl J. Anderson
  • Dan Paulson
Producers
  • Matt Drake
  • Albert T. Dickerson III
  • Cameron Boling
CinematographyBrian Johnson
Editors
  • Daria Ellerman
  • Jason Pielak
  • Alison Grace
  • Mark Shearer
  • Lara Mazur
Running time43–54 minutes
Production companyDaniel L. Paulson Productions
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19) 
present

Sweet Magnolias is an American romantic drama streaming 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]

Contents

Premise

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]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
1 10May 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
2 10February 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
3 10July 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)

Season 1 (2020)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Pour It Out" Norman Buckley Teleplay by: Sheryl J. AndersonMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
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.
22"A United Front"Norman BuckleyShelley MealsMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
33"Give Drink to the Thirsty" Kelli Williams Anthony EplingMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
44"Lay It All Down"Kelli WilliamsFrancesca ButlerMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
55"Dance First, Think Later"Norman BuckleyCaron TschampionMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
66"All Best Intentions"Norman BuckleyShelley MealsMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
77"Hold My Hand"Laura Nisbet PetersAnthony EplingMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
88"What Fools These Mortals Be"Laura Nisbet PetersFrancesca ButlerMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
99"Where You Find Me"Norman BuckleyCaron TschampionMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
1010"Storms and Rainbows"Norman BuckleySheryl J. AndersonMay 19, 2020 (2020-05-19)
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.

Season 2 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Casseroles and Casualties" Norman Buckley Sheryl J. AndersonFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
122"So Much to Say"Norman BuckleyAnthony EplingFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
133"The More Things Change" Mykelti Williamson Valerie C. WoodsFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
144"Walk of Faith"Mykelti WilliamsonCaron TschampionFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
155"Great Expectations"Norman BuckleyShani Am. MooreFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
166"Find It in Your Heart"Norman BuckleyAnthony EplingFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
177"Fragile Things" Yangzom Brauen Valerie C. WoodsFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
188"The Rules of the Game"Yangzom BrauenCaron TschampionFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
199"Dear Heart" Mary Lou Belli Shani Am. MooreFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)
2010"If Thou Wilt, Remember"Mary Lou BelliSheryl J. AndersonFebruary 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)

Season 3 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
211"Meaning to Tell You" Norman Buckley Sheryl J. AndersonJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
222"Meet Me Where I Am"Norman BuckleyCaron TschampionJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
233"The Searchers"Lauren PetzkeAnthony EplingJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
244"Be Bold"Lauren PetzkeBarret HelmsJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
255"On This Foundation"Norman BuckleyShani Am. MooreJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
266"And a Star to Steer Her By"Norman BuckleyTeleplay by: Caron Tschampion
Story by: Anthony Epling
July 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
277"Somebody I'm Longing to See"Joy T. LaneAnthony EplingJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
288"Beat Me at My Own Game"Joy T. LaneShani Am. MooreJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
299"A Game of Telephone" Mary Lou Belli Barret HelmsJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)
3010"Save My Place"Mary Lou BelliSheryl J. Anderson & Sara JumelJuly 20, 2023 (2023-07-20)

Production

Development

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]

Casting

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]

Filming

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.

Reception

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]

Notes

  1. Jamie Lynn Spears is credited as "Special Guest Star" in season 1, but is a Series Regular.

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