Sweet Magnolias spoilers follow.
Sweet Magnolias season three is officially a go at Netflix! And it's just what we need to hear considering the cliffhanger ending we were left on.
The renewal announcement was followed by word from executive producer Dan Paulson, who said in a statement: "We're thrilled to be embarking on our third season for Netflix, and we're looking forward to returning to Serenity."
The cast also contributed to the buzz on social media, with JoAnna Garcia Swisher sharing the news on her Instagram, along with Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley.
If you're fully caught up with Sweet Magnolias, you'll know that Maddie, Dana Sue and Helen have all got some big decisions to make, and whatever they choose to do will seemingly affect the town of Serenity as a whole.
Thank God for the never-ending supply of margaritas to talk through their problems over.
Life has undoubtedly got even more complicated for the trio, who are trying to navigate through life and love in their humble white-picket-fence town as best they can.
But after a cliffhanger which could have major repercussions for all of them, let's pour one out and chat through what to expect in the upcoming season.
(Major spoilers are ahead if you're not up to date.)
Sweet Magnolias season 3 potential release date: When's it back?
In May 2022, it was confirmed on the Sweet Magnolias writers' room social media that season three was a go.
They simply wrote the message: "We're going back to Serenity, y'all! We are so thrilled to share we have a Season 3 of Sweet Magnolias. Can't wait to welcome y'all home."
On July 18, filming began on the new episodes, with the team sharing a picture of their directors' chair backs bearing flowers and and the show's name.
"'Shall we begin?" they wrote. "So happy to be welcoming everyone home to Serenity for day one of filming Season 3 of Sweet Magnolias!"
Since then, things have progressed steadily and we are pleased to confirm that production officially wrapped in October, meaning we are getting much closer to that elusive air date. The news was announced by the showrunner Sheryl J Anderson, who tweeted:
"We finished filming Season 3 last night. It's been a joy to spend another season in Serenity, working with, laughing with, and learning from amazing artists in the cast and crew. Our community made something beautiful for you. I'm grateful to them and excited for you to see it!!!"
The Sweet Magnolias writers' room chimed in to update fans on news of the show's status, saying: "And that's a wrap on Season 3! Thank you to everyone who contributed to Serenity this year. And to everyone who's waiting: It'll be worth the wait. Promise."
When the girls will be back on our screen is still not yet known. It's hard to make an educated guess too, considering the previous two seasons didn't have a similar release time.
Season one dropped in May 2020, while season two arrived in February 2022 (this was largely down to pushbacks caused by the pandemic).
Typically a show like this, which requires little special effects, can be done anywhere from nine months to just over a year. With that being said, we wouldn't expect any new episodes of Sweet Magnolias to hit our screens Spring 2023 (so between April to June).
As always, we'll keep you updated as and when we know more.
Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast: Who will be in it?
Well, Sweet Magnolias just wouldn't be right without the central magnolias themselves – JoAnna Garcia Swisher (who plays Maddie Townsend), Brooke Elliot (Dana Sue Sullivan) and Heather Headley (Helen Decatur). All have been confirmed to return.
Their children, Tyler (played by Carson Rowland), Kyle (Logan Allen) and Annie (Anneliese Judge) will also be back.
Chris Klein, as the philandering Bill, played a smaller role in season two. But he still has an impact on the main cast, so it's likely he'll make one or two appearances... even if it's just to check up on his many, many offspring.
Jamie Lynn Spears, who plays new mum Noreen, has also confirmed she'll be returning, sharing photos on Instagram with the caption: "Dark hair for the summer can only mean 1 thing..... NOREEEENNNNN" and a hashtag mentioning season three.
Brandon Quinn, who plays Maddie's on/off husband Ronnie, had a bit of a redemption arc in season two and was welcomed back into the family home. So unless something major happens and a time jump is involved where he scarpers, you can likely count on his comeback.
Meanwhile, young Isaac (Chris Medlin) has only just found his feet after searching for his birth parents in Serenity, and Cal (Justin Bruening) found himself in custody after flying off the handle as old anger issues re-emerged, but it would be surprising if he completely disappeared without warning.
Alongside the show's returning cast will be some brand new faces joining the show for season three. There's Rachael Markarian, whose past credits include Tales of the Walking Dead, Top Gun: Maverick and All American.
Markarian will be joined on set by The Gifted and Dynasty's Jermaine Rivers, who will have a recurring role as Charles Perkin. On wrapping filming, Jermaine shared a video on Instagram of an "amazing" gift he received from the crew and showrunner as a memento of his time on the set.
Charles is a new addition to the Sweet Magnolia narrative having not appeared in the original novels, which means we can expect plenty of surprises to come.
Finally, Doom Patrol's Jon Briddell is the last of the most recent new cast announcements. He will guest star as Jimmy.
Sweet Magnolias season 3 plot: What will happen?
It's safe to say that the show has A LOT of things to cover in its third instalment.
In an interview with ET earlier this year, Sweet Magnolias star JoAnna Garcia Swisher shared that season three would more than likely pick up "close to where we left off", adding that "I don't think you can come back months later and say, 'Whatever happened with Helen?' and 'Is Justin in jail?' Why not go big or go home?"
Showrunner Sheryl J Anderson made no secret about her hopes for a season three, even before it was confirmed, teasing what lies in store for the gang. Particularly when it comes to a shady figure from Dana Sue's past coming back to haunt her.
In the season-two finale, Dana Sue's daughter Annie was accosted at Mrs Francis's wake by a mystery woman, who branded her mum a 'life ruiner'. By the end of the episode, the same woman was later caught on a camera phone slashing the tyres of the Sullivan's delivery van.
When the trio were shown the footage, Maddy, Dana Sue and Helen recognised her immediately – and they had one simple thing to say: "She's back."
When discussing this mysterious figure, showrunner Sheryl J Anderson told TVLine: "I will just say she has a past in common with our ladies and some other folks in town.
"She's been away for a while, but she has come back with an agenda. She has come home to settle some scores."
Dana is also working on fixing her marriage to Ronnie, after letting him back into the family home. Will their reunion last, or will he return to his previous ways that included him cheating on her?
But Dana Sue is only the start of what's going on, as the season was left on a hell of a cliffhanger when Helen was proposed to by her ex-boyfriend Ryan. Now she has to choose between him and new love, Erik.
"I could see her going either way, and of course they don't tell me," Headley told TVLine. "Netflix is concerned that, for a good bowl of macaroni and cheese, I'll spill all the secrets."
Then there's the fallout of the fight at Sullivan's, with Cal getting carted off by police when his anger management issues reared their ugly head following the loss of his job as the high school coach.
How will Maddie cope knowing this secret side of Cal now?
"In a potential third season, it's certainly something Cal needs to unpack and examine whether he has handled past events properly, why he lost it when not losing it is so important to him and what choices he can make going forward," Sheryl told Entertainment Weekly. "Not just for himself, but also for the people he loves."
On top of all that, there's the recall election in the town and the continued implication that Maddie should be the person to step up and replace the Mayor if he loses.
If it comes to pass, it will infuriate the Mayor's vindictive wife even further, and surely it's a matter of time before she digs up more dirt on Maddie's loved ones (especially considering how easy she caused trouble for Cal).
Finally, there's Issac, who now knows who his real parents are, but their reactions to his existence has proven like chalk and cheese.
Bill, seemingly proving his worth as the most fertile man in Serenity, wanted next to nothing to do with his secret child who, to be fair, he never knew existed until now.
But will he change his mind once the dust is given a chance to settle? Or is he going to freak out over Issac's close friendship with Noreen, the baby mama to the love child that ended his marriage to Maddie?
Sweet Magnolias season 3 trailer: Is there one yet?
Unfortunately, with no confirmed release date, we'll have a while to wait for new footage. So we have a while off considering filming's only just started.
But at least we know it's on its way!
In the case of season two, Sweet Magnolias didn't even get a trailer until two weeks before the show dropped.
However, if you check back in we'll keep you as updated as possible. Promise!
Bless your heart.
Sweet Magnolias is available now on Netflix.
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