Netflix’s ‘best show ever’ is returning with huge cast shake-up

Pour it out! Season five of Sweet Magnolias is coming to Netflix this week.

Brooke Elliott, JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Heather Headley are back for season 5 (Image: Netflix)

After a one-year hiatus, Sweet Magnolias is returning to Netflix. Slated to debut on Thursday, 11 June, season five is transporting fans back to the fictional town of Serenity, South Carolina, with a pitstop or two in Manhattan. Uniting one of TV’s most iconic trios, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Heather Headley, and Brooke Elliott are back as the titular Sweet Magnolias, Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue, respectively. This time around, however, fans can expect more notable shakeups to the cast.

Absent from the latest instalment, Carson Rowland, known for playing Maddie and Cal’s oldest son Ty, will not appear in season five. Speaking about the actor’s departure, showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson told Us Weekly: “In his leaving, we wanted to make the best of the situation, and look at what happens when people leave the people they love to chase a dream.”

Given that season four ended with Ty and Annie’s (Anneliese Judge) split, Sweet Magnolias could easily link Rowland’s absence to Ty’s decision to tour with his band in Europe. While it’s unknown if the actor will return in future seasons, Netflix has promised plenty of new additions, too.

Among them, Jamie-Lynn Sigler has signed on as Nell Winters, a writer Maddie gets to know in New York. Likewise, Janice Wesley joins as Miss Eustice, one of the town’s matrons, and Courtney Grace appears as Courtney Sinclair, Ronnie’s (Brandon Quinn) new business partner. Rounding out the cast, fans can also expect to see John Gabriel Rodriquez, Aidan Merwarth, Austin Woods and Iman Benson in the latest series.

Teasing what’s to come for the residents of Serenity, Anderson told Tudum that the notion of ‘chasing your dreams’ is the central theme of season five.

Rowland Carson will not appear in season five (Image: Getty)

“In everybody chasing their dreams, somebody’s catching them, some people are finding they were changed, and some people are just stumbling,” she said. “We like having the three ladies in different places every season.”

An undisputed hit for Netflix, Sweet Magnolias has been branded the ultimate “comfort watch” by fans on IMDb, as well as a “great feel good show to watch”.

“This is one of the most well-written, captivating, genuine and heartfelt shows I’ve seen in a long time,” wrote one. “Sweet Magnolias is a warm and comforting series that shines through its focus on friendship, personal growth, and family bonds,” added a second.

Season five of Sweet Magnolias will premiere on Netflix on June 11.

CRE: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2214797/netflix-feelgood-comfort-show-returning-sweet-magnolias