Is “Sweet Magnolia” leaving Serenity in Season 5? New York Relocation Explained
sweet magnolia The story has been set in the quiet town since it premiered on Netflix – but will season five move the show to New York City?
based on Shirley Woods‘novel, sweet magnolia It follows three women who have been best friends since childhood as they navigate their romantic lives, careers and growing families. Season 4 airs in 2025 and ends with Maddie (Joanna Garcia Swisher) chose to work in New York City despite living in South Carolina.
“For a long time, Maddie dedicated her life to her family, but when Bill and Noreen came together and then she met Carl, everything changed forever. So much happened to her in such a short period of time,” the actress EXCLUSIVELY said. US Weekly July 2025. “So to have the opportunity to flex her muscles and feel that energy in a big city, I know that’s going to be triggering for people. But for me, I lean into it more and I really liken it to the fact that I feel very lucky because I have a husband and kids who are supportive of my dreams and my career. They’re always along for the ride and always ready to provide support.”
After Maddie Season 5 Photos, Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) and Helen (Heather Headley) surfaced in New York, some viewers feared the landscape would be permanently changed.
Keep scrolling for an explanation of possible repositioning:
key figures
sweet magnoliaPremiered in 2020, Thrust us Immerse yourself in the tranquil small town life of South Carolina. Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen’s friendship is the reason many people started watching the show, but they continue to watch courtesy of the other residents of Serenity – By Logan Allen/Annalise Judge/Carson Rowland/Justin Bruning/Chris Klein/Jamie Lynn Spears/Dion Johnstone/Brandon Quinn and Chris Medlin.
Main points
Season four features a wedding, a major death and an unexpected job offer that may bring some characters to New York, and Swisher said she hopes fans will keep an open mind.
“When I read the script, it was definitely something I never thought twice about. But it was fun to see the feedback and how people felt,” she told Us in June 2025. “So I’m really excited to play a character who’s still flexing her muscles, who’s still dreaming, who has an incredibly supportive partner and kids. They’re all thriving, everyone’s fine, and life is still unfolding itself.”
At the time, Swisher acknowledged the surprising backlash. “Someone mentioned that some people were unhappy with Maddie getting a job in New York. I was like, ‘Okay, let’s look into that. Let’s dig into that because it’s going to help me understand Maddie in season five,'” she said.
Swisher concludes: “It’s literally expansion and contraction. That’s life. Just because we have a man or have kids in the house, we are still dynamic, living, breathing human beings. Our dreams don’t end when we get to a destination. That’s the part I really lean into.”
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what has been said
Recently, Swisher teased how the story will continue to be based on Serenity .
“[Filming in New York] Make this season even bigger,” Swisher shared us November 2025. “It just took us a little bit out of our comfort zone. We were out of town a few times. New York was the only place we’d ever been. But honestly, I think what was really special was that when we were filming in New York, there were some moments that made me nervous.”
Swisher hinted that the biggest twist will come in South Carolina.
“It was so much fun. We brought most of the crew from Georgia. It was a very special moment,” she continued. “But then I realized the real drama of this season is in Serenity. That’s saying a lot. There’s some real drama — it’s not going to break anyone’s heart.”
what’s next
Netflix has announced that Season 5 of the hit series will premiere on June 11, 2026. Ahead of the show’s return, Swisher teased Season 5’s storyline, telling us August 2025 “I don’t think this is the ending that was written by any stretch of the imagination. But we’ve also been here for five seasons and told an incredible story.”
Swisher remains hopeful that there is more to come.
“If all the chips are down this way, we’re going to keep it going,” she noted. “I think everyone will be excited and eager to do it. But if that’s our goal, we can’t control it unless we’re just trying to do something that we think the fans will like and enjoy. [With season 4]we almost had to burn it down [with Bill’s death] For this new beginning. And this season, you really get it. With this comes exciting new adventures, possibilities, and relationships. It’s twists and turns – that’s for sure. “
