For what is worth, Sweet Magnolias, a Netflix series based on Sherryl Woods’ Sweet Magnolias novel and developed by Sheryl J. Anderson, explores the themes of friendship, family, romance, and community as three best friends—Maddie Townsend, Dana Sue Sullivan, and Helen Decatur—live and work in the town of Serenity, South Carolina. Despite the challenges they faced individually, they always stuck together and supported each other.
Season 2 ended in a twist for the characters who find themselves at the edge. Season 3 continued as they tried to find stability amidst the chaos. If you’ve been following the first installment, the cast of Sweet Magnolias season 3 is made up of faces you already know:
- JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Maddie Townsend)
- Heather Headley (Helen Decatur)
- Brook Elliot (Dana Sue Sullivan)
- Chris Klein (Bill Townsend)
- Jamie Lynn Spears (Noreen Fitzgibbons)
- Justin Bruening (Cal Maddox)
- Carson Rowland (Tyler “Ty” Townsend)
- Logan Allen (Kyle Townsend)
- Anneliese Judge (Annie Sullivan)
- Brandon Quinn (Ronnie Sullivan)
- Dion Johnstone (Erik Whitley)
- Chris Medlin (Isaac Downey)
Things You Need To Know About The Cast And Characters Of ‘Sweet Magnolias‘ Season 3
JoAnna Garcia Swisher As Maddie Townsend
Tagged as the “heart and soul” of Sweet Magnolias, Maddie Townsend is portrayed by American actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher. She’s a recently divorced mother of three attempting to start over in Serenity, South Carolina. She also owns The Corner Spa, a wellness outfit she co-owns with her best friends Helen and Dana Sue. She is a sweet, compassionate, and upbeat woman who adores her family and friends. In her personal and professional life, she faces a variety of obstacles and possibilities, such as dating Cal Maddox, her oldest son’s baseball coach, dealing with her ex-husband Bill Townsend and his pregnant fiancée Noreen, and helping her three kids navigate their life’s difficulties.
Away from the series, she was born in Tempa, Florida, and developed a passion for acting when she joined a local theater group at the age of 10. She got her big break on TV in the sitcom Reba (2021–07), playing Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery, the oldest daughter of the titular character. In addition, she gained fair recognition for her roles in several films and TV shows, such as American Pie (2001), Not Another Teen Movie (2001), Privileged (2008–09), and Better with You (2010–11).
On a personal level, she married former American baseball player Nick Swisher in December 2010, a year after reports emerged that they were dating. They have two daughters, Emme and Sailor, born in May 2013 and June 2016, respectively.
Heather Headley As Helen Decatur
Seen as the brain and backbone of the Sweet Magnolias, Heather Headley plays Helen Decatur, a successful lawyer with a specialty in family law and divorce cases. As you already know, she co-owns The Corner Spa with her best friends, Maddie and Dana Sue.
Just like Maddie, she faces various challenges in her personal and professional life, such as wanting to have a baby, breaking up with her long-term boyfriend Ryan, falling in love with Erik Whitley, the chef at Dana Sue’s restaurant, and helping Dana Sue with her legal and financial troubles.
Headley was born in Trinidad and Tobago, but her family relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, when she was 15 years old. Her debut came through singing when she played Nala in the Broadway musical The Lion King. She originated the character of Aida, for which she received a Tony Award for Best Actress in 2000. She also received a Grammy Award in 2010 for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for her 2009 album Audience of One. She has appeared in television shows such as She’s Gotta Have It (2017–19), Chicago Med (2018–21), and The Lion Guard (2019), as well as films such as Dirty Dancing: Havanah Nights (2004) and Respect (2021).
Down to her private life, Heather Headley married Brian Musso, who played for the New York Jets, in 2003. They have three children: John David, born in December 2009, Jordan Chase, born in August 2014, and a daughter, whose name has not been revealed, born in April 2019
Brook Elliot As Dana Sue Sullivan
Apparently, Dana Sue Sullivan, played by Brook Elliot, is the spirit and spice of the Sweet Magnolias. She is the owner and chef of Sullivan, a popular eatery in Serenity, South Carolina. As mentioned, she co-owns The Corna Spa with her best friends, Maddie and Helen.
Well, she is no different from her best friends, as she also faces varied issues in her personal and professional life, including reconciling with her husband Ronnie (Brandon Quinn), who cheated on her, reconnecting with her daughter Annie (Anneliese Judge), who rebels against her, managing her finances, her health, and her staff, as well as dealing with Kathy, Ronnie’s sister, who has a grudge against her.
Elliot was born in Fridley, Minnesota, and got her breakthrough when she starred as Jane Bingum in the comedy-drama series Drop Dead Diva (2009–14). She also appeared in musicals such as Taboo (2003) and The Pirate Queen (2007).
Regarding her love life and relationships, the actress has been very private about it and has not revealed if she is married or dating anyone.
Over the years, there have been many speculations and rumors about her marital and relationship status. Some sources claimed that she married a man, but there was no confirmation or evidence. Recently, there were rumors that she got married again, but there was no official announcement or photo. She has not commented on these rumors and has kept her love life under wraps.
Chris Klein As Bill Townsend
Chris Klein plays Bill Townsend, one of the characters in Sweet Magnolias. He is the ex-husband of Maddie Townsend and the father of their three children, Ty, Kyle, and Katie. He is a doctor who works at the Serenity Medical Center and also the fiancé of Noreen Fitzgibbons, a nurse who works with him and is pregnant with his child.
He is a complex and conflicted character who has made some mistakes in his life. He cheated on Maddie with Noreen, which led to their divorce and the resentment of his children. Noreen gave birth to their daughter, Rebecca, in the second installment.
Klein was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, and got his breakthrough in acting in 1999, when he was cast as Chris “Oz” Ostreicher in the comedy film American Pie and as Paul Metzler in Election. He also starred in other films, such as Here on Earth (2000) and We Were Soldiers (2002).
Moving to his personal life, Klein married Laina Rose Thyfault in August 2015 after meeting her in 2011. They have two children: a son named Federick Easton, born in July 2016, and a daughter named Isla Rose, born in May 2018.
Jamie Lynn Spears As Noreen Fitzgibbons
Noreen Fitzgibbons is portrayed by Jamie Lynn Spears as a young nurse who has an affair with Bill Townsend, the husband of Maddie Townsend. She becomes pregnant with his child and moves in with him, causing a scandal in Serenity. She later dumps him and tries to make peace with Maddie and her children.
Spears was born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana. She started her career as a child star with a small part in Crossroads (2002), portraying the younger version of her real-life sister Britney Spears’ character. She went on to appear as Zoey Brooks on the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101, which ran from 2005 to 2008.
Apart from acting, she is also a singer. She released her debut single, How Could I Want More, in 2013 and her debut EP, The Journey, in 2014.
As for her love life, she used to date Casey Aldridge, the father of her daughter Maddie, who was born in June 2008. She married Jamie Watson in March 2018 and gave birth to their daughter Ivey the next month.
Justin Bruening As Cal Maddox
Justin Bruening’s character in Sweet Magnolias is Cal Maddox, a former professional baseball player who is coaching a high school baseball team in Serenity, South Carolina. He is also Maddie Townsend’s love interest.
Bruening was born in St. Helena, Nebraska, and made his acting debut in 2003 when he was cast as Jamie Martin on the daytime soap opera All My Children, for which he won a Soap Opera Digest Award in 2005. He later starred as Mike Traceur, the so-called Michael Knight, in the 2008 reboot of Knight Rider. He also had recurring roles on shows such as Ringer, Switched at Birth, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Going further, he has been married to actress Alexa Havins since 2005, and they have three children together: a daughter named Lexington Grace, born in August 2010; a son named Zane, born in 2013; and another son, whose name is unknown, born in December 2015.
Carson Rowland As Tyler “Ty” Townsend
Carson Rowland portrays the character of Tyler “Ty” Townsend, the eldest son of Maddie and Bill Townsend, in Sweet Magnolias. He is a talented baseball player who suffered a serious injury in the first season finale that put his future in the sport at risk.
Rowland hails from Boca Raton, Florida, and started his acting career in 2015, when he auditioned for a web series called Tweet and got the role of Riley Sturgis. He then landed the role of Cole Reyes, a human-like android, in the Nickelodeon series I Am Frankie, which ran from 2017 to 2018. He also appeared in Pretty Little Liar: Original Sin and American Housewife.
As for his love life, the Boca Raton native married Maris Rowland on October 16, 2021. In August 2023, the actor and his wife announced via their Instagram pages that they were expecting a baby girl.
Logan Allen As Kyle Townsend
Kyle Townsend, played by Logan Allen, is the second child of Maddie and Bill Townsend in Sweet Magnolias. He is a sensitive and artistic teenager who loves theater and music and also has a crush on Annie Sullivan (Anneliese Judge), the daughter of Dana Sue Sullivan, who is one of his mother’s best friends.
Allen was born in central Florida and made his acting debut in 2014 in the short film Birthday Boy. He then became a series regular on the Nickelodeon show Talia in the Kitchen, where he played Vinnie, a cousin of the main character. He also acted in the film Bernie and Dolphin, where he portrayed Kevin Ryan, a boy who befriends a dolphin.
Anneliese Judge As Annie Sullivan
Anneliese Judge plays Annie Sullivan in Sweet Magnolias. She is the daughter of Dana Sue Sullivan and Ronnie Sullivan, who are divorced. She is a smart, creative, and respectful girl who loves photography. An interesting fact is that she has a crush on Tyler Townsend, her best friend and Maddie’s son, but she also dates Jackson Lewis, the mayor’s son, who is Tyler’s rival.
Judge hails from Pinehurst, North Carolina, and got her breakthrough role in Sweet Magnolias. She also starred as Jessica Waters in the 2021 horror film Where’s Rose.
Brandon Quinn As Ronnie Sullivan
Brandon Quin portrays Ronnie Sullivan in Sweet Magnolias. He is the ex-husband of Dana Sue Sullivan and the father of Annie Sullivan. He is the chef who left his family to pursue a career in Atlanta but returns to Serenity to reconnect with them and help Dana Sue with her restaurant.
Born in Aurora, Colorado, Quinn started his career in 1998 as Charles Murphy in the film Express: Aisle to Glory. He is also best known for his roles as Tommy Dawkins in Big Wolf on Campus, Gabe Duncroft in The Foster, and Agent Murphy in Charmed.
He is married to a health and nutrition coach, Rachel, and has three children: a son named Ezra and two daughters, one of whom is Chloe.
Dion Johnstone As Erik Whitley
Erick Whitley, played by Canadian actor Dion Johnstone, is a landscaper who works as a sous chef for Helen Decatur and helps her transform an old mansion into a spa. He is a kind, loyal, and hardworking man with a troubled past and a secret connection to Serenity. He develops a romantic relationship with Helen but also faces some obstacles and conflicts along the way.
Born in Montreal and raised in Alberta, Johnston is known for appearing on numerous TV shows such as Ties That Bind and Star Falls. His stage credits include Othello, The Tempest, and Red Velvet.
He is married to Canadian actress and creative life coach, Lisa Berry, and they have a son named Khylan.
Chris Medlin As Isaac Downey
Chris Medlin plays Isaac Downey, a kitchen staffer at the Sullivan’s who does not know his true parentage until the second season of the series. He also develops a romantic interest in Katie Townsend, the youngest daughter of Maddie and Bill Townsend.
Born in Georgia and raised in East Tennessee, he made his breakthrough in Sweet Magnolias. He also made Broadway appearances in Tina Fey’s Mean Girls the Musical and Diana the Musical.
Medlin was born in Georgia and raised in East Tennessee. He made his breakthrough in Sweet Magnolias and also appeared on Broadway in Tina Fey’s Mean Girls the Musical and Diana the Musical.