A Foolproof Guide to the ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Cast (Including What Else They’ve Starred in)
I will be the first to admit that I binge-watched the entirety of Sweet Magnolias season three in just two days. Thanks to the feel-good storyline and lovable cast, I've developed a soft spot for the people of Serenity—and I know I'm not the only one.
In her review of season three, PureWow Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment Karelle McKay wrote, "Sweet Magnolias season three made us feel so many emotions, making it such a great watch from beginning to end. The third installment brought solid performances from a talented ensemble cast, drama-filled answers to those season two cliffhangers, lots more Helen (thank goodness) and more complications in our favorite relationships. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Helen, Dana Sue and Maddie."
Fortunately for fans like me, Netflix has already confirmed season four. And while they've yet to announce the release date, I'm biding my time by getting to know the Sweet Magnolias cast members, including details about what else they’ve been in. Keep scrolling for details.
First, What Is Sweet Magnolias About?
Based on Sherryl Woods’s book series, Sweet Magnolias follows Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue, three best friends who navigate relationships, family drama and small-town dilemmas in their hometown of Serenity, South Carolina. Maddie is a recently divorced mom who can't seem to escape her problematic ex-husband, Helen is a successful attorney who convinces her friends to co-run a new spa and Dana Sue is an accomplished restaurant owner who has a complicated relationship with her daughter. Throughout the series, the tight-knit duo remains loyal to one another, but there are definitely moments when their bonds are tested.
In my review of season one, I called the series "more than just a drama like Gilmore Girls." I wrote, "The first episode of Sweet Magnolias leaves viewers with a very small cliffhanger: Will Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue renovate an old beloved landmark into a women-only wellness center slash spa? I don’t have to watch the next installment to know that’s exactly what they’re going to do. It’s clear the show will have a broader storyline, in addition to the interpersonal relationships, and I was left wanting to know more."
1. Joanna García Swisher
ELIZA MORSE/NETFLIX
Character: Maddie Townsend
JoAnna García Swisher’s earliest acting credits include Vicki Appleby on Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), Sam on Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1994–1996) and Hallie on Party of Five (1998). In addition to recurring roles on Once Upon a Time (2013–2018) and The Mindy Project (2014), the actress also starred as Cheyenne Hart on Reba (2001–2007).
The 44-year-old actress is currently married to former pro baseball player Nick Swisher, and they have two daughters, Emerson and Sailor. Believe it or not, they were background actors in one episode in season two.
Swisher told me in a previous interview, "That was a really fun day. Heather [Headley] brought her kids there too, and so it was really fun to just have them with me at work. And then my youngest also did an episode of Santa Clauses, which was really fun. She wants to be an actress, so we're just taking really tiny baby steps."
2. Heather Headley
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Character: Helen Decatur
Prior to Sweet Magnolias, Heather Headley appeared in She’s Gotta Have It (2017–2019) and Chicago Med (2018–2021), but the actress also boasts an impressive Broadway resume. She earned a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in Aida, and her other theater credits include The Bodyguard, The Color Purple and The Lion King. Additionally, she won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for her album, Audience of One.
Headley has been happily married to investment advisor Brian Musso since 2003, and they share three children.
While chatting about her Sweet Magnolia co-stars, Headley said, "I have a girl crush on JoAnna, she is a sweet, feisty, fierce woman who, if you get in some trouble, you want that doll in your corner." Meanwhile, she describes Brooke as the mother figure. She said, "Even though she has no kids, even though she isn't married, Brooke will come in with all the information. Brooke will know everything."
3. Brooke Elliott
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Character: Dana Sue Sullivan
Although Brooke Elliott has appeared in several TV movies—like Furst Born and Crazy Wonderful—she’s widely recognized for playing Jane Bingum in Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva (2009–2014). The actress and singer starred in Broadway productions of Taboo and The Pirate Queen, and she was in the original cast of the first national tour of Wicked.
Her starring role in Boy George's musical, Taboo, turned out to be one of the biggest breaks of her career, and it was all thanks to Rosie O'Donnell. She told CTV News, "Rosie plucked me from the ensemble and gave me the lead role, which was really great and such old-school producing."
While speaking with TV Fanatic about her behind-the-scenes bond with Headley and Swisher, she said, "They're such incredible women, and I am so lucky to get to work with them. I think some of that is aligned in the stars to have that kind of chemistry that I'm told people see, and I feel when we're shooting the scenes, so I think we just got lucky."
4. Justin Bruening
ELIZA MORSE/NETFLIX
Character: Cal Maddox
Justin Bruening got his start as a fashion model and landed his first modeling gig at Abercrombie & Fitch, after being discovered by a talent scout at McDonald's. Bruening then ventured into acting after he was noticed by All My Children casting director Judy Wilson. He originally auditioned for the role of JR Chandler, but producers decided he was a better fit for James "Jamie" Martin.
Soon, Bruening became a soap opera star in All My Children (2003–2007, 2011) and One Life to Live (2004–2005). He has also appeared in Ringer (2011–2012), Switched at Birth (2012–2013), Hawaii Five-0 (2013), Ravenswood (2013–2014) and Grey’s Anatomy (2013, 2018).
In 2005, Bruening married his All My Children co-star, Alexa Havins, and they have three children.
5. Chris Klein
ELIZA MORSE/NETFLIX
Character: Bill Townsend
Sweet Magnolias aside, Chris Klein is known for starring as Chris "Oz" Ostreicher in the American Pie franchise. Other TV credits include Election (1999), Welcome to the Captain (2008), Wilfred (2011–2014) and The Flash (2018–2019).
In 2015, Klein married travel agent Laina Rose Thyfault, and they share two children: their son, Frederick (born July 2016) and their daughter, Isla Rose (born May 2018).
6. Jamie Lynn Spears
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Character: Noreen Fitzgibbons
Some fans might recognize Jamie Lynn Spears as Britney Spears’s little sister, but she made a name for herself by starring as the titular character, Zoey Brooks, in Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101. More recently, she appeared in reality shows like Dancing with the Stars, Special Forces: World's Toughest Test and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here.
In 2007, Spears welcomed her first child with her then-boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, and in 2014, she tied the knot with businessman Jamie Watson. She gave birth to her second daughter in 2018.
While speaking with Entertainment Tonight about playing Noreen on Sweet Magnolias, Spears said, "I fell in love with the character. I felt like I've been her in many ways and I just had compassion for the character. I love the people who were working on it and they took a chance on me, so it really was just a big blessing."
7. Logan Allen
ELIZA MORSE/NETFLIX
Character: Kyle Townsend
You might recognize him as Jake from Stranger Things or as Kevin from Bernie the Dolphin. But long before he landed these big roles, he made guest appearances on shows like Nickelodeon's Talia in the Kitchen and Creepshow. Per his IMDB biography, the Florida native plans to add director and sports commentator to his resume.
During an interview with Pop Culturalist, he opened up about wanting to share more scenes with the rest of the cast. He said, "I want to work with as much of the cast as I can. I feel like I haven’t had many scenes with Dana Sue who’s played by Brooke Elliott. She’s amazing and super, super talented. I really want to work with her more because she’s so funny."
He added, "I want to work more with Heather Headley, who plays Helen. Her character is my favorite. I love her so much. She has this cockiness and confidence about her [and] I love that. She does such a good job as Helen."
8. Carson Rowland
Courtesy of Netflix
Character: Tyler Townsend
In addition to Sweet Magnolias, Carson Rowland also starred in American Housewife (2020), Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022) and Ghost Tape (2020). He's been married to Maris Kenny since 2021, and they have a daughter named Eden.
While chatting with Us Weekly about Ty and Annie's shifting dynamic in season three, he said, “The writers, they love this slow burn. And I think what they’re doing is turning the furnace on so gradually to get people’s excitement up, like they did for the car crash in season one, where it’s got all of this anticipation. I love how the season ends with this subtle hint towards the relationship. And it’s a massive cliffhanger of the season. I think that’ll cause people to want to come back [for] more."
9. Anneliese Judge
ELIZA MORSE/NETFLIX
Character: Annie Sullivan
Sweet Magnolias served as Anneliese Judge’s big break. In fact, she has only one previous acting credit—an independent film, titled Where’s Rose.
While discussing Annie's on-screen relationship with her mom, Judge told HollywoodLife, "Annie and her mom, Dana Sue, definitely have a really strong relationship, but we also see a lot of anger from Annie. Her parents have been separated for about 18 months and while she lives with her mom, she misses her dad a lot and we see a lot of anger and bitterness towards her mom. It fluctuates. As Annie goes through her own struggles, we see the relationship between she and her mom ebb and flow. It’s really something the audience will be able to connect to."
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