Sweet Magnolias season 4 may explore the game-changing revelation that Bill is Isaac’s biological father, causing ripple effects for the characters.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher (who plays Maddie) told TVLine: “That’s going to be a big one. We don’t really go too much into [that storyline] at the end of the season, because it’s obviously a very celebratory moment.”
Despite mixed reviews and a potential decline in viewership, the popularity of Sweet Magnolias suggests that it will be renewed for season 4.Sweet Magnolias star JoAnna Garcia Swisher previews the big family secret that is set to unravel in season 4. In the Netflix dramedy season 3, it’s revealed that Bill Townsend is actually the biological father of Isaac. That would make Isaac the half-sibling of Ty, Kyle, and Katie, not to mention Noreen’s baby. Despite the game-changing revelation, which carries ripple effects for several of the protagonists, the twist remains a secret to most. Instead, the Sweet Magnolias season 3 finale was a largely conclusive episode that could have served as the show’s last episode.

Swisher, who plays Maddie, addressed the Isaac revelation in comments to TVLine. In the interview, which was conducted before the current SAG-AFTRA strike, Swisher explains why the Isaac reveal wasn’t explored in-depth. She teases that it will play a big role in a potential Sweet Magnolias season 4, shedding light on her character’s perspective. Read Swisher’s quote below:

“That’s going to be a big one. We don’t really go too much into [that storyline] at the end of the season, because it’s obviously a very celebratory moment. But when Bill is walking away, there’s this realization that there’s so much she’s going to have to explain to her kids.”

“At the end of the day, regardless of whether you’ve washed your hands of it, your kids are still going to be affected. There’s just a lot of emotion there.”

Will Netflix Renew Sweet Magnolias For Season 4?

Sweet Magnolias season 3 builds on its history, opting for a finale that ties up lingering threads instead of introducing new ones. Even as it relates to Bill and Maddie, he apologizes to her and somewhat closes a loop that’s been lingering since the show’s earliest episodes. Heather Headley, who plays Helen, preferred this approach. Headley acknowledged that season 3 pointed toward resolution for the most part, while still leaving room for further stories that can be told.

In terms of whether Sweet Magnolias season 4 will happen, allowing for the Isaac revelation to play out, the signs are mixed. There are data points to suggest that Sweet Magnolias season experienced a decline compared to its first two seasons based on reviews and Netflix’s Top 10 lists. But it’s also worth noting that Sweet Magnolias season 2 topped the Nielsen streaming charts, a distinction that relatively few streaming originals have enjoyed.

For the moment, the Sweet Magnolias writing team has been out on the picket lines due to the ongoing WGA strike. One of the demands of the strikers is more viewership transparency, which would allow the writers and actors (who are also on strike) to get a clearer sense of how their projects are performing. But even if season 3 represented a step back, the limited information available suggests the show still seems popular enough that Isaac’s story will likely be explored further.