After a long wait, Netflix is finally releasing Sweet Magnolias’ fifth season. Everything you need to know about the show’s future is tracked down below, including the most recent casting announcements, production updates, and—most importantly—when season 5 will be available on Netflix.
To refresh your mind, a few months after the fourth season of Sweet Magnolias premiered on Netflix in February, the fifth season was officially announced to premiere on World Book Day in 2025. As we noted in our article about renewal, Season 4 viewership had dropped by nearly 16 percent from season to season. In addition, Seasons 3 and 2 remained in the global Top 10 of Netflix for four and five weeks, respectively, while Season 4 was there for just two weeks.
Remarkably little information was provided concerning the renewal; the only firm information about the upcoming season was that it would once again have ten episodes.
Will the fifth season of Sweet Magnolias be the final one? There is currently no information regarding it, nor is there any indication that such is the case. However, the show has been heading lower, as we saw with the viewership statistics, so we wouldn’t be shocked if it started to move toward a finish.
Reaction to the renewal on social media: “Happy and excited to be returning to Serenity with some of my favorite people in the world,” wrote Sheryl J. Anderson. We’ll work hard, but enthusiastically, to give you another season that will lift your spirits and warm your hearts. Feel free to express yourself in the interim!
What to Expect from Sweet Magnolias Season 5
Awaiting you is the Big Apple! The shocking announcement that Maddie was leaving Serenity to take up a new career came at the end of Season 4. There are numerous of ongoing stories in Serenity, even though that will be the main plot thread for season five.
As we’ve previously written, here are the main plot points heading into the fifth season:
- Maddie’s Big Move:
- Maddie accepts a marketing position in New York City.
- Raises questions about her future in Serenity and potential time jumps exploring family dynamics.
- Speaking about the big job move and whether that means it’s the end of the Magnolias, Anderson said, “Our ladies have seen each other through bigger challenges than physical distance. When you love someone, you want what’s best for them and want to help them reach that goal. True friends celebrate each other in times of victory, embolden each other to seize their passion, and then link arms to figure out logistics.”
- Helen’s Wedding Plans:
- Helen and Erik are engaged, setting up a highly anticipated, meticulously planned wedding.
- The extravagant wedding, including a notably long dress train, reflects Helen’s signature elegance.
- Dana Sue’s New Direction and Isaac’s Love Life:
- Dana Sue embarks on a journey of self-discovery within the Serenity community.
- Her storyline will further explore personal growth and the challenges of stepping out of her comfort zone.
- Isaac finds a new love interest in Michael, an old college frenemy.
- His storyline involves coming to terms with his identity and family revelations, paving the way for a fresh start.
- Ty and Annie’s Relationship Challenges:
- The couple faces a crossroads as Annie considers deferring her dream school to join Ty on a European tour.
- This dilemma highlights the broader theme of women balancing personal dreams with family expectations.
“We are thrilled to let the Magnolias take Manhattan,” the showrunner teased the plot to TUDUM. In addition to being a lot of fun, this excursion offers a chance to examine the aspects of their relationships in a different setting. Having true friends is important in daily life, but it’s even more valuable to have them encourage you when you step outside of your comfort zone.
Episode Titles, Writers, and Directors for Sweet Magnolias Season 5
As we find out more about the team members this time, this section will change considerably during and after the production. But we already have some hints.
The top tier, thanks to the WGA, still includes Sheryl J. Anderson as executive producer and showrunner, Michelle Denise Jackson as supervising producer, Abdi Nazemian as co-producer, Barret Helms and Kale Futterman as executive story editors, Sara Jumel as story editor, and Alex Rubin as staff writer. Through personal social media updates, we also learned that Quincy Cho has joined the Sweet Magnolias writers’ room as a Writers’ Room Assistant and will be writing her debut TV episode, together with Abdi Nazemian.
A preview of the future season’s screenplay was shared by Gabriella Garcia, who will reprise her role as Sophie Frazier in season five. However, the title and episode number are unclear. This particular script was written by Futterman and Matt Drake, a producer on the show who returned to directing this season after receiving his first directing credit with episode 8.
Where is season 5 of Sweet Magnolias in production?
Almost immediately after the official renewal, in mid-May, we announced that season 5 filming will start in the summer. According to our original filming schedule, production would begin on June 2nd and end on September 17th, 2025. Several cast members confirmed on social media that filming did actually begin in early June.
In fact, Covington, Georgia, where the program has been based since season 1, has already seen a lot of filming. Sweet Magnolias was back in town this week filming Season 5, according to a post on Instagram. Filming a Scene with Logan Allen, Chris Medlin, and Jamie Lynn Spears.
Naturally, season 5 will also have a significant new filming site. TVLine learned that production had started in New York City. They shared a picture of the three major characters strolling through the famous Grand Central Station on Instagram. Don’t expect Helen and Dana to move in with Maddie anytime soon, as the publication claims that they are only visiting her.
The production was captured in New York City by more than just TVLine. A few individuals were able to capture a video of the three actresses descending the famous steps on TikTok (see the YouTube video posted below). “Never know what you’ll see on your morning commute in NYC” was the caption for the video, which was uploaded by Caroline Rose. The foursome was sighted at Bryant Park by another.
When will Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias release on Netflix?
We can surely rule out a 2025 return, but no official window or date has been disclosed as of yet. Rather, we anticipate that the show will return sometime between the spring and fall of 2026, given the production timeline. Keep an eye out for all of the confirmed new Netflix releases in 2026 as we chronicle them all here.
Are you looking forward to Sweet Magnolias’ fifth season? We’ll be updating this article both before and during the show’s production, so be sure to bookmark it.
