Sweet magnolias has been set in the small town of Serenity since it premiered on Netflix. but season 5 moves the show in New York City?
based on Sherryl Woodsnovels, 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 Garcia Swisher) choosing to work in New York City despite living in South Carolina.
“For so long, Maddie had devoted her life to her family, and then that was turned upside down when Bill and Noreen got together, and then she met Cal. A lot has happened to her in such a short period of time,” the actress said exclusively. Us Weekly in July 2025. “So to have that opportunity to flex their muscles and be in a big city and feel that energy, I know it was a trigger for people. But for me, I leaned into it and really likened it to how lucky I feel to have a husband and kids who support my dreams and my career. They’re always up for the ride and my support.”
After photos from Season 5 of Maddie, Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) and Helen (Heather Headley) in the Big Apple appeared, some viewers were concerned there would be a permanent change of scenery
Keep scrolling for an on-screen explanation of the possible relocation:
The key players
Sweet magnoliaswhich was released in 2020, thrust we to 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 Serenity’s other residents, played by Logan Allen, Anneliese Judge, Carson Rowland, Justin Bruening, Chris Klein, Jamie Lynn Spears, Dion Johnstone, Brandon Quinn i Chris Medlin.
The Gist
After season 4 it featured a wedding, an important death and a surprise job offer that could bring some characters to New York City, Swisher said he hoped fans would keep an open mind.
“It was definitely something I never thought twice about when I read the scripts. But it was interesting to see the comments and the way people felt,” she told Us in June 2025. “So I’m really excited to portray a character who’s still flexing his muscles and still dreaming and has an incredibly supportive partner and kids. Everyone’s life is good and it’s still good.”
At that time, Swisher he admitted surprise reaction “Someone had mentioned something about people not being happy about Maddie getting a job in New York City. And I was like, ‘Okay, let’s look at it.’ Let’s get into it because it’s going to help me navigate Maddie in Season 5,” she said.
Swisher concluded, “It’s really just about expanding and contracting. That’s what life is about. Just because we’ve got the man or we’ve got the kids at home, we’re still vital, living, breathing people. Our dreams don’t end when we reach a destination. That’s the part I’m really leaning into.”
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What has been said
Most recently, Swisher explained how the story will remain based on Serenity.
“(Going to New York) made the season bigger,” Swisher shared we in November 2025. “It pushed us out of our comfort zone a little bit. We went out of town a couple of times. New York was the only place we went. But honestly, what was really special to me was that there were some pinch-hitting moments when we were shooting in New York.”
Swisher implied that twists and turns bigger will fall in South Carolina.
“It was a lot of fun. We brought most of our crew from Georgia. It was a very special time,” he continued. “But then I realized that the real drama this season is back in Serenity. That’s saying a lot. There’s real drama — it’s not going to break anyone’s heart.”
what follows
Netflix announced that Season 5 of the hit series will premiere on June 11, 2026. Before the show returned, Swisher explained how Season 5 wraps up the story, explaining we in August 2025, “I don’t think it’s written as a finale by any stretch of the imagination. But we’ve also gotten to be here for five seasons and tell an incredible story.”
Swisher held out hope that there was more to come.
“We would continue to hold it if all the chips fall that way,” he noted. “I think everybody would be excited and eager to do it. But if that’s for us, we have no control over that, except that we’re just trying to do what we think our fans will like and enjoy. (With Season 4), we almost had to burn it (with Bill’s death) for that new beginning. And this season, you really get that. With that comes new possibilities, new relationships and new adventures. That’s for sure.”