What’s the story?
Sweet Magnolias.
The 1989 film starring Julia Roberts and Sally Field?
That’s Steel Magnolias. I’m talking about the Netflix drama returning to our screens for a third series.
Remind me of the premise?
Sweet Magnolias centres on three lifelong friends born and raised in the small, close-knit town of Serenity, South Carolina. It is a place, a bit like Cheers, where everybody knows your name (and sticks their noses into each other’s business).
The trio comprises newly divorced mother-of-three Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), lawyer Helen (Heather Headley) and chef Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott).
When we first met them in the debut series, Maddie was re-entering the workforce after separating from high school sweetheart Bill (Chris Klein), whose mistress Noreen (Jamie Lynn Spears) was pregnant.
Wasn’t there a boycott?
Indeed. Some fans of Britney Spears said they wouldn’t be watching series two due to Jamie Lynn Spears - younger sister of the global popstar - being among the cast. Around the time it aired, in 2022, the famous siblings had reportedly fallen out.
What can we expect?
As the second series drew to a close, we had witnessed reconciliations, rifts and a mysterious arrival set to shake things up. All will be revealed as the new 10-episode run begins.
When can I watch?
Sweet Magnolias returns to Netflix from Thursday.
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