Sweet Magnolias has been set in the small town of Serenity since it premiered on Netflix — but is season 5 moving the show to New York City?
Based on Sherryl Woods’ novels, Sweet Magnolias tells the story of three women who have been best friends since childhood as they navigate their romantic lives, careers and growing families. Season 4, which aired in 2025, concluded with Maddie (JoAnna García Swisher) choosing to take a job in New York City despite living in South Carolina.
“For so long, Maddie had dedicated her life to her family, and then that got turned upside down when Bill and Noreen got together, and then she met Cal. So much has happened for her in such a short period of time,” the actress exclusively told Us Weekly in July 2025. “So to get this opportunity to flex her muscles and be in a big city and feel that energy, I know it was triggering for people. But for me, I leaned into it and I really likened it to how I feel very lucky that I have a husband and kids that are supportive of my dreams and my career. They’re always along for the ride and they’re always ready to support.”
After photos from season 5 of Maddie, Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) and Helen (Heather Headley) in the Big Apple surfaced, some viewers were concerned there would be a permanent change of scenery.
Keep scrolling for an explainer of the possible onscreen relocation:
The Key Players
Sweet Magnolias, which premiered in 2020, thrust Us into small-town life in Serenity, South Carolina. Maddie, Dana Sue and Helen’s friendship was the reason many started the show but they kept watching courtesy of other residents of Serenity — played by Logan Allen, Anneliese Judge, Carson Rowland, Justin Bruening, Chris Klein, Jamie Lynn Spears, Dion Johnstone, Brandon Quinn and Chris Medlin.
The Gist
After season 4 featured a wedding, a major death and a surprise job offer that could take some characters to New York City, Swisher said she hoped fans would keep an open mind.
“It definitely was something that I never thought twice about when I read the scripts. But it was interesting to see the feedback and the way people felt,” she told Us in June 2025. “So I feel really excited to be able to portray a character that is still flexing her muscles and still dreaming and has an incredibly supportive partner and children. They’re all thriving and everyone’s OK and life is still revealing itself.”
At the time, Swisher acknowledged the surprising backlash. “Someone had mentioned something about people who were not happy that Maddie took a job in New York City. And I was like, ‘OK, let’s look into that. Let’s kind of dive into that because it’ll help me as I navigate Maddie in season 5,’” she said.
Swisher concluded: ”It’s really all about just expanding and contracting. That’s what life is. Just because we got the man or we have the kids at home, we’re still vital, living, breathing people. Our dreams don’t end when we just get to one destination. That’s the part that I’m really leaning into.”
What Has Been Said
More recently, Swisher teased how the story will remain grounded in Serenity.
“[Filming in New York] made the season bigger,” Swisher shared with Us in November 2025. “It just got us out of our comfort zone a little bit. We got out of the city a couple times. New York was the only place that we went to. But honestly what I thought was really special is that there were a few pinch me moments when we were shooting in New York.”
Swisher hinted that the biggest twists and turns will go down in South Carolina.
“It was so fun. We brought most of our crew from Georgia. It was a really special moment,” she continued. “But then I realized the real drama this season is right back in Serenity. That says a lot. There is some real drama — it’s not going to break anyone’s heart.”
What’s Next
Netflix announced that season 5 of the hit series will premiere on June 11, 2026. Before the show returned, Swisher teased how season 5 wraps up the story, telling Us in August 2025, “I don’t think that it’s written as the end by any stretch of the imagination. But we’ve also gotten to be here for five seasons and tell an incredible story.”
Swisher remained hopeful that there would be more to come.
“We would continue to keep it going if all of the chips fall in that way,” she noted. “I think everybody would be excited and eager to do that. But if this is it for us, we have no control over it except we are just trying to do what we think our fans will like and enjoy. [With season 4], we almost had to burn it down [with Bill’s death] for that fresh start. And this season, you really get that. With that comes exciting and new ventures, possibilities and relationships. It’s twisty and turny — that’s for sure.”
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