Sweet Magnolias is finally returning ahead of a potential onscreen move to New York City.
Netflix announced that season 5 of the hit series will premiere on June 11, 2026. A first look photo showed Maddie (JoAnna García Swisher), Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) and Helen (Heather Headley) together again — but with a possible change of scenery.
Sweet Magnolias, which premiered in 2020, is based on Sherryl Woods’ novels about three women —best friends since childhood — as they navigate their romantic lives, careers and family dynamics. Season 4 showed Swisher’s character, Maddie, 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, 46, 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.”
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Swisher said she hoped fans would keep an open mind going into season 5.
“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 noted. “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.”
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More recently, Swisher teased how the story will remain grounded in Serenity.
“[Filming in New York] made the season bigger,” Swisher told 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.”
Sweet Magnolias is streaming on Netflix.
