'Sweet Magnolias' Star Departs Show Ahead of Season 5

Sweet Magnolias is set to return for its much-anticipated Season 5 on June 11, but the new episodes will be missing one beloved character.

Who’s Not Returning to Sweet Magnolias for Season 5?

People reports that Carson Rowland — who played Tyler Townsend on Sweet Magnolias from Season 1 through Season 4 — has exited the show ahead of its Season 5 premiere, and his character will not take part in the new season.

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Why Is Carson Rowland Not in Sweet Magnolias Season 5?

According to People, the 28-year-old actor has not addressed his departure via social media. Some fans are upset because the character of Tyler and his childhood friend, Annie (Anneliese Judge), had finally acknowledged their romantic feelings for each other in Season 4.

However, they also had major obstacles in front of them, as she was headed to college in California, while he was planning to tour with his band in Europe.

Sweet Magnolias showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson has confirmed to Us Weekly that Rowland made the “decision” to sit out the season, adding that his character will still have a well-developed storyline in absentia.

“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,” Anderson tells Us.

It’s not clear if Rowland will return to Sweet Magnolias in a potential Season 6 if Netflix decides to renew the show again.

Will There Be a Sweet Magnolias Season 5?

Yes.

Deadline reported that Netflix had renewed Sweet Magnolias for Season 5 on April 23, 2025.

READ MORE: Fans Rejoice After Netflix Renews Sweet Magnolias for Season 5

What Is Sweet Magnolias?

Sweet Magnolias is a romance series on Netflix, based on a beloved series of books by Sherryl Woods. The show has become one of the streaming service’s biggest hits over the course of its first four seasons.

The series follows lifelong friends Maddie Townsend (former Reba star JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott) and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley) in the fictional small town of Serenity, S.C.

“Three South Carolina women, best friends since high school, shepherd one another through the complexities of romance, career, and family,” IMDb describes the show.

What Will Happen in Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias?

In Season 5, Maddie is accepting the offer of her dream job.

That requires her to move to New York City, marking a huge change in the arc of the show.

“We are thrilled to let the Magnolias take Manhattan,” Anderson told 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.”

Swisher spilled a few more facts about Sweet Magnolias Season 5 during an interview with Us Weekly in August of 2025, saying the new season will have the “most romance” of any season of the show.

“That is across the board. It’s a roller coaster as it always is but I think this is the first season in a really long time that fans are gonna get those butterflies again,” she said.

“There are some fresh faces that are joining our cast in really unique and fun ways. The Magnolias are seeing new possibilities on the horizon that are going to only expand our world.”

She added that “no one dies” in Season 5, after Season 4 featured the surprising death of Maddie’s ex-husband, Bill (Chris Klein).

Netflix offers a full preview of Sweet Magnolias Season 5.

Which Cast Members Are Returning for Sweet Magnolias Season 5?

In addition to Swisher, Elliott and Headley, most of the main cast members are expected to return to Sweet Magnolias for Season 5, including Logan Allen, Anneliese Judge, Justin Bruening, Jamie Lynn Spears and more.

IMDb has a complete list of the cast and crew of Sweet Magnolias.

Has Sweet Magnolias Already Filmed Season 5?

Yes.

Swisher tells Us that it’s “taking us a little bit longer to complete a season because we’ve gotten the opportunity to travel.”

“Actually last night we were shooting at the baseball field, and I was looking around, and we have a lot of new cast members. There’s these new faces in Serenity, South Carolina, that are so exciting for me,” she added.

Swisher is also set to direct two episodes in Season 5, and Elliott will direct one episode.

According to WTOC in Savannah, Ga., Sweet Magnolias wrapped filming for Season 5 in September in Savannah, which will also figure into the plot of Sweet Magnolias Season 5.

Who Is Joining the Cast of Sweet Magnolias Season 5?

According to Tudum, Jamie-Lynn Sigler is set to play Nell Winters, a writer in New York, while Janice Wesley will play Miss Eustice, a matron in Serenity.

Courtney Grace is cast in the role of Courtney Sinclair, Ronnie’s new business partner, and John Gabriel Rodriquez will play Clark Bellson, a business owner in Serenity who presents a challenge to the three friends.

Aidan Merwarth will play Noah Wharton, the Whartons’ grandson, and Austin Woods is confirmed for the role of Blake Monaghan. Iman Benson will play Jessica Whitley, Erik’s niece.