Sweet Magnolias
Sweet Magnolias | |
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Genre | Romantic drama |
Based on | Sweet Magnolias books by Sherryl Woods |
Developed by | Sheryl J. Anderson |
Starring |
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Music by | James Jandrisch |
Opening theme | "Destination" by Nickel Creek |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producer | Matt Drake |
Cinematography | Brian Johnson |
Editors |
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Running time | 43–52 minutes |
Production company | Daniel L. Paulson Productions |
Original release | |
Network | Netflix |
Release | May 19, 2020 present | –
Sweet Magnolias is an American romance drama web television series, developed by Sheryl J. Anderson and based on the Sweet Magnolias novels by Sherryl Woods. It stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley. The series premiered on Netflix on May 19, 2020.[1]
Premise
Sweet Magnolias follows "three South Carolina women, best friends since childhood, as they shepherd each other through the complexities of romance, career, and family."[2]
Cast and characters
Main
- JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend, a recently divorced woman in Serenity, South Carolina who is trying get back in the workforce. She is part of a friend group who called themselves Sweet Magnolias.
- Heather Headley as Helen Decatur, an accomplished attorney. She is Dana Sue's and Maddie's best friend, and one of the Sweet Magnolias. She bought a mansion to build a spa called The Corner Spa with Maddie and Dana Sue.
- Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, a chef and owner of a restaurant called Sullivan's. She is Helen’s and Maddie's best friend and part of the Sweet Magnolias
- Logan Allen as Kyle Townsend, Maddie and Bill's younger son who is a freshman at Serenity High School. He has a crush on Annie.
- Anneliese Judge as Annie Sullivan, Dana Sue's daughter. She is friends with the Townsend brothers and an avid photographer.
- Carson Rowland as Tyler "Ty" Townsend, Maddie and Bill's eldest son who is a junior at Serenity High School and a pitcher of his high school baseball team
- Justin Bruening as Cal Maddox, Ty's baseball coach and Maddie's love interest. He was a former professional baseball player.
- Chris Klein as Bill Townsend, Maddie's ex-husband and a family doctor at Serenity Family Physicians
- Jamie Lynn Spears as Noreen Fitzgibbons, Bill's pregnant fiancée who was his mistress[a]
Recurring
- Dion Johnstone as Erik Whitley, the sous chef at Sullivan's and a mentor to Issac
- Chris Medlin as Isaac Downey, a member of the kitchen staff at Sullivan's. He moved to Serenity to find his birth father.
- Bianca Berry Tarantino as Katie Townsend, Maddie and Bill's youngest daughter
- Frank Oakley III as Harlan Bixby, the assistant coach of Serenity High School baseball team
- Allison Gabriel as Mary Vaughn Lewis, the wife of the mayor of Serenity
- Brittany L. Smith as Peggy Martin
- Tracey Bonner as Pastor June Wilkes
- Charles Lawlor as Collins Littlefield
- Harlan Drum as CeCe Matney, Ty's love interest
- Sam Ashby as Jackson Lewis, Ty's baseball rival teammate and Mary Vaugh's son
- Hunter Burke as Trotter Vidhyarkorn, Cal's best friend who works at The Corner Spa as a yoga instructor
- Al-Jaleel Knox as Gabe Weatherspoon, Ty's best friend and baseball teammate
- Michael Shenefelt as Ryan Wingate, Helen's on-and-off boyfriend
- Michael May as Simon Spry, Annie's friend
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
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1 | "Pour It Out" | Norman Buckley | Teleplay by : Sheryl J. Anderson | May 19, 2020 |
2 | "A United Front" | Norman Buckley | Shelley Meals | May 19, 2020 |
3 | "Give Drink to the Thirsty" | Kelli Williams | Anthony Epling | May 19, 2020 |
4 | "Lay It All Down" | Kelli Williams | Francesca Butler | May 19, 2020 |
5 | "Dance First, Think Later" | Norman Buckley | Caron Tschampion | May 19, 2020 |
6 | "All Best Intentions" | Norman Buckley | Shelley Meals | May 19, 2020 |
7 | "Hold My Hand" | Laura Nisbet Peters | Anthony Epling | May 19, 2020 |
8 | "What Fools These Mortals Be" | Laura Nisbet Peters | Francesca Butler | May 19, 2020 |
9 | "Where You Find Me" | Norman Buckley | Caron Tschampion | May 19, 2020 |
10 | "Storms and Rainbows" | Norman Buckley | Sheryl J. Anderson | May 19, 2020 |
Production
Development
On September 27, 2018, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. The series was based on the Sweet Magnolias book series by Sherryl Woods and executive producers were expected to include Woods, Sheryl J. Anderson, and Dan Paulson. Anderson was also set to serve as the series' showrunner. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Daniel L. Paulson Productions.[2] The series premiered on May 19, 2020.[1] Norman Buckley directed six of the episodes and served as co-executive producer.[3]
Casting
On May 20, 2019, Monica Potter, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley were announced as the leads.[4] On July 1, 2019, it was reported that Chris Klein, Jamie Lynn Spears, and Justin Bruening had joined the cast as series regulars.[5] On August 1, 2019, JoAnna Garcia Swisher was cast as Maddie Townsend, replacing Potter who was originally cast as the lead.[6]
Filming
Principal photography for the series began on July 8, 2019 in Covington, Georgia.[2][7]
Reception
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 75% based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10.[8]
Notes
- ^ Jamie Lynn Spears is credited as "Special Guest Star" but is a Series Regular.
References
- ^ a b Mallenbaum, Carly (April 22, 2020). "Netflix in May 2020: Everything new ('Hollywood,' 'Dead to Me' Season 2) and expiring". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c Petski, Denise (September 27, 2018). "Netflix Orders Romance Drama Series 'Virgin River' & 'Sweet Magnolias' Based On Novels". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- ^ Maas, Jennifer (August 1, 2019). "JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Replace Monica Potter as Star of Netflix's 'Sweet Magnolias' in Recasting". TheWrap. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 30, 2019). "'Sweet Magnolias': Monica Potter, Brooke Elliott & Heather Headley To Headline Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ Petski, Denise (July 1, 2019). "'Sweet Magnolias': Chris Klein, Jamie Lynn Spears & Justin Bruening Join Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (August 1, 2019). "'Sweet Magnolias': JoAnna Garcia Swisher To Star In Netflix Series In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ Clark, Jeff (July 8, 2019). "Sweet Magnolias Blooming in Covington". Stomp And Stammer. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ "Sweet Magnolias: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2020.