Netflix’s heartwarming small town drama Sweet Magnolias is back on screens next week – but one of the main stars is skipping out on Serenity this time.
The beloved series is returning for a fifth season on 11 June to reunite viewers with childhood best friends Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott) and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley), as they navigate the ups and downs of their lives in the fictional South Carolina town of Serenity. After Maddie’s son Ty Townsend, played by Carson Rowland, was noticeably absent from the latest trailer, it’s now confirmed that the actor won’t be in the new season.
Carson, 28, became a fan-favourite in the series thanks to his on-screen slow burn romance with Anneliese Judge’s character, Annie Sullivan. After four seasons of will-they-won’t-they back-and-forth, longtime friends Annie and Ty finally got together in the fourth season, but broke up in the final episode.
Sadly, it appears viewers won’t see an on-screen reunion between the two this season. Showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson confirmed to US Weekly that Carson opted not to return for the upcoming fifth season.
Why is he not returning?
“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,” Sheryl told the publication.
Speaking of his exit, Carson’s co-star Anneliese said that the actor “had some other opportunities that I’m really excited for him about”.
She continued: “He’s a really, really good friend of mine, and so that’s something that’s really exciting for him and for all of us. We’re all still so supportive of him.” She added that Carson is “so great, and so of course it’s sad, but it’s also really exciting,” teasing that the upcoming season will give her character a chance to “redefine herself outside” of her romantic relationship with Ty.
What will season 5 be about?
Season five is picking up with a change in location. The Magnolias will take on city life in Manhattan after Maddie accepts a job in the Big Apple. Meanwhile, Helen is in planning mode for her long-awaited wedding to Erik, and Dana Sue’s marriage to Ronnie faces a bit of turbulence.
“We are thrilled to let the Magnolias take Manhattan,” Sheryl teased the new season to Tudum.
“Not only is this adventure huge fun, it’s also an opportunity to explore the facets of their relationships in a new context. While it’s crucial to have true friends in day-to-day life, it’s priceless to have them supporting you when you leap out of your comfort zone,” she added.
What do viewers think of Sweet Magnolias?
© NetflixSweet Magnolias has received generally positive reviews as a low-stakes drama for those who enjoy wholesome, comforting TV and are fans of shows like Virgin River and Gilmore Girls. The Guardian wrote in 2020 after the first season aired: “Kicking back with it feels indulgent and mindless, an easy slide into a binge, syrupy with enough tart to keep it moving.”
The fourth season received mixed reviews from critics and fans. It earned a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic writing: “The relatively low stakes of Sweet Magnolias are not for everyone, but for audiences looking for the TV version of yacht rock, easily mockable but surprisingly addictive, this is it.”
Another praised the season as a “heartwarming outing”, but criticised the pacing. Meanwhile, the season earned a 45 per cent audience score – the lowest of all the seasons – with reviews ranging from “best season yet” and dubbing it a “beacon of positivity”, to “painful overacting” and “unrealistic” storylines.
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