Sweet Magnolias – Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Filming for the fourth season of Sweet Magnolias is officially underway. The renewal was announced three months after the third season debuted on Netflix in October 2023, with Sheryl J. Anderson returning as the showrunner. Here’s everything we know about season 4 of Sweet Magnolias as of February 2024.
Since its debut in May 2020, Sweet Magnolias has become one of Netflix’s most cherished dramas, alongside the likes of Virgin River and Ginny & Georgia. Based on the book series by Sherryl Woods, the show is developed by Sheryl J. Anderson and stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley.
The third season, which consists of ten episodes, was released globally on Netflix on July 20, 2023.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Renewal Status
Official Renewal Status: Officially Renewed on October 19th, 2023
Our Renewal Prediction: Likely Renewal
Just under three months after the third season, Netflix confirmed the return of Sweet Magnolias for season 4.
Netflix announced in a press release that Sheryl J. Anderson will return as showrunner and executive producer. Celebrating the renewal on X, Anderson stated:
“Thrilled we’re returning to Serenity and looking forward to our SAG siblings getting the deal they richly deserve so we can celebrate with them!”
Picture: Sheryl J. Anderson / X
Dan Paulson (Chesapeake Shores), under his banner Daniel L. Paulson Productions, is also returning as an executive producer.
The show will return for another ten episodes, each running around 50 minutes. Netflix has not stated whether season 4 will be the final season.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher shared a video on Instagram following the renewal, expressing:
“Oh, how good it feels to share this! And to finally say THANK YOU for making this show what it is. The support from each and every one of you at home (all over the world!) gives us the chance to keep telling a story that means so much to us. Season 4 is officially in the works, and buckle up… it’s going to be a big one!”
More reactions to the renewal came from Anneliese Judge, who said:
“A little over a dozen Netflix original series have streamed for more than 3 seasons. The numerous ways you all supported our show, writers, and actors during the strike is incredibly humbling. All I can say is thank you, thank you for loving our show. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love…with these people I love…for another season.”
The statistics had us slightly concerned about a renewal, with season 3 significantly declining from season 2. However, the WGA page for Sweet Magnolias over the summer suggested that season 4 might have already been in the works or in some form of early development (prior to the strike, of course), although this doesn’t guarantee an official green light.
The delay in the renewal could have been due to the writer’s strike that took place between May and September 2023. Sheryl J. Anderson shared photos of the Sweet Magnolias writing team on the picket line throughout the strike.
Sweet Magnolias writers on strike – Picture: sheryljanderson / Instagram
How Well Did Sweet Magnolias Season 3 Perform on Netflix?
The criteria for a season renewal at Netflix are somewhat opaque, but there are key success indicators that the public can reference.
According to Netflix’s announcement during the renewal,
“Across its three seasons, Sweet Magnolias has been in the Global Top 10 for 10 weeks in over 60 countries. Season 3 premiered on Netflix on July 20, 2023, and debuted at #1.”
Additional insights from PlumResearch provide a deep dive into the metrics that contributed to the renewal for season 4. Below are more details on the viewership:
Official Netflix Top 10s for Sweet Magnolias Season 3
Netflix’s viewership statistics are a primary source of performance data. Every Tuesday evening, Netflix releases viewership stats for their top titles over the past seven days.
Sweet Magnolias season 3 appeared in the global Netflix top 10s for four weeks, accumulating 126.40 million hours of viewership from July 16th to August 13th before it dropped out of the rankings.
This performance contrasts with the five weeks that season 2 remained in the top 10s. Here’s a comparison of weekly viewership hours between the two seasons:
| Week # | Season 2 | Season 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 43,000,000 | 39,500,000 |
| Week 2 | 58,150,000 (+35%) | 45,900,000 (+16%) |
| Week 3 | 29,760,000 (-49%) | 24,800,000 (-46%) |
| Week 4 | 18,610,000 (-37%) | 16,200,000 (-35%) |
| Week 5 | 11,780,000 (-37%) | Out of the top 10s |
Comparing the Completed Viewing Equivalent (CVE) allows us to gauge how well season 3 performed in relation to season 2 and other returning Netflix Originals. The CVE in the first four days for season 3 was 4.6 million views compared to the 5.1 million views season 2 garnered in a three-day window.
Sweet Magnolias season 3 vs season 2 viewership in week 1
Nielsen Stats for Sweet Magnolias Season 3
Nielsen’s top 10s provide insight into US Television viewing. From their data, we know all 30 episodes of Sweet Magnolias accumulated 3,911 million minutes of viewing between July 17 and August 13:
- 07/17-07/23: 1218 million minutes
- 07/24-07/30: 1422 million minutes
- 07/31-08/06: 740 million minutes
- 08/07-08/13: 531 million minutes
What to Expect from Sweet Magnolias Season 4
Season 3 may not have concluded with a significant cliffhanger, but it left several questions unanswered, setting the stage for season 4.
A notable question surrounds the potential reunion between Erik and Helen. Despite Helen ending things with Ryan, the future of her relationship with Erik remains uncertain. Their mutual affection is clear, but it’s unknown if their relationship can move beyond friendship.
Sweet Magnolias. (L to R) Brandon Quinn as Ronnie, Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue in episode 303. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Other significant questions leading into season 4 include:
- What does the future hold for Peggy? Will she run for mayor after Trent’s resignation?
- Will Ty and Annie finally become a couple, considering Annie’s long-standing crush?
- Will Isaac reveal his significant secret about being Bill’s son to Noreen?
- Is this the last we’ve seen of Kathy and Bill?
Brooke Elliott hinted at more stories to come in an interview with TV Line, stating:
“The finale offered some closure, but if you look closely, you can see there are still stories to be told. There are additional pieces that could be unveiled. Hopefully, we’ll get to explore more. That would be wonderful.”
Although the show has diverged away storywise from the original books, with eleven entries in the series, there remains ample material for future storylines.
Where is Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias in Production?
Following the renewal announcement, Sheryl J. Anderson shared an update about the writing process for the new season. On October 24th, she posted on Instagram:
“Now that the news is out, I thought you might enjoy meeting the brilliant team working with me to craft Season 4 of SWEET MAGNOLIAS. From top left: Bianca Sams, myself, Alex Rubin, Barret Helms (with Room Mascot Tilly), Kale Futterman (with Room Mascot Charlie), Anthony Epling, Sara Jumel, and Sean Benum. You’re going to love what they’re creating!!!”
Writers room for Sweet Magnolias season 4
In December 2023, we learned that Sweet Magnolias season 4 would begin filming in January 2024, with the schedule set to run through to July 2024. However, those dates have been adjusted, with filming commencing on February 20th and concluding on May 29th, 2024.
Pre-production on the series got underway in January 2024, with both Norman Buckley and Sheryl J. Anderson sharing photos on Instagram on January 9th, 2024, confirming the return to production, with the caption:
“The first on-set picture of the season. So happy to be back home in Serenity!!! Season 4, here we go!”
Pictures: sheryljanderson/norbuck / Instagram
Norman Buckley announced the start of filming for the fourth season on February 20th by posting a slideshow of on-set pictures on Instagram, stating:
“First day of shooting on Sweet Magnolias season 4. Showrunner Sheryl Anderson, writers Anthony Epling and Sara Jumel, executive producer Dan Paulson and co-executive producer Matt Drake, and me with director of our first block, Lauren Petzke.”
Pictures: Norbuck / Instagram
The budget for the series is reportedly between $2 and $4 million an episode.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Episode Titles, Directors, and Writers
Thanks to a post from Heather Headley, we have the title for the first episode:
- Episode 401 – The Other Side of the Veil
Directing on season 4 of Sweet Magnolias includes:
- Lauren Petzke (Returning director on the series)
- Christine Swanson (New director of the series)
When Will Sweet Magnolias Season 4 Be Released on Netflix?
No release date has been announced yet, and notably, the show was not included in the Netflix 90+ TV slate reveal for 2024.
This omission suggests that the show might not return until 2025.
Are you looking forward to season 4 of Sweet Magnolias? Share your thoughts in the comments below.