Sweet Magnolias Canceled As Netflix Orders New JoAnna Garcia Swisher Series

Netflix is done pouring it out with the “Sweet Magnolias,” canceling the small-town drama after five seasons, according to Deadline.

But there’s a silver lining: The streamer has ordered a new drama series, “Ladies of the House,” led by “Magnolias” star JoAnna Garcia Swisher and hailing from “Magnolias” showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson, that follows a wife and two adult daughters who take over a family winery after the owner’s death and “must battle through their issues with each other in order to confront challenges with the business, their extended family, and the men in their lives.”

“Sweet Magnolias” — based on the book series by Sherryl Woods — starred Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend, Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur, a trio of lifelong best friends who also co-own a spa in their sleepy hometown of Serenity, South Carolina.

Other key residents of Serenity included Maddie’s husband Cal (Justin Bruening), and her sons Ty (Carson Rowland) and Kyle (Logan Allen); Dana Sue’s husband Ronnie (Brandon Quinn) and their daughter Annie (Anneliese Judge); Helen’s new husband Erik (Dion Johnstone); and Isaac (Chris Medlin), an employee of Dana’s who was later revealed to be the biological son of Maddie’s late ex-husband Bill (Chris Klein).

Despite the usual feel-good vibes of “Sweet Magnolias,” the Netflix drama ended on a somewhat sour note in June. After drifting apart for much of Season 5, Dana Sue suggested that she and Ronnie take a break from their marriage, a decision spurred by her discovery that his negligence was responsible for their house burning down. Naturally, a new man — or rather an old enemy, Clark Bellson (John Gabriel Rodriquez) — was already showing interest in wooing Dana Sue.

On a more positive note, Helen and Erik’s long-awaited nuptials finally arrived, complete with another jaw-dropping musical performance from the bride herself. Discussions were already underway about the couple starting a family together, with both Helen and Erik enjoying the idea of potentially fostering a teenager in need.

And even though Maddie was fired from her supposed dream job in New York, she found fulfillment in helping local authors connect with a larger audience. Cal, meanwhile, was getting to pursue his own passions by co-managing a new baseball team right in Serenity. (See what the stars of the show told TVLine about a potential sixth season.) 

Are you disappointed that you won’t be reuniting with the “Sweet Magnolias” in Season 6? Drop a comment with your thoughts on all things Serenity — and the new show — below.