Sweet Magnolias Season 3 Cast & Character Guide (2025)

Netflix's romance-drama series Sweet Magnolias continues its story with a third installment, and the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast sees most of the original roster returning to reprise their roles. Based on Sherryl Woods' Sweet Magnolias book series, the TV adaptation follows three best friends — Maddie Townsend, Dana Sue Sullivan, and Helen Decatur — as they live and work in the fictional town of Serenity, South Carolina. Each woman is in a very different place in their life when the series begins, and Sweet Magnolias covers their respective romances, breakups, and career moves while keeping their bond of friendship at its center.

In terms of drama and romance, Sweet Magnolias doesn't disappoint. The Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast will be dealing with the twisty aftermath of the season 2 finale, and no character finds themselves in a wholly stable place at the start of the next chapter. The Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast is mostly made up of familiar faces, save for the recast of Katie Townsend, Bill and Maddie's youngest child. Unfortunately, Sweet Magnolias said goodbye to Cindy Karr's Miss Frances in season 2 when the character tragically passed away. All in all, there's a lot in store for the Sweet Magnolias friend group this season.

JoAnna Garcia Swisher As Maddie Townsend

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JoAnna Garcia Swisher joins the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast as Maddie Townsend. Maddie has been struggling to raise her three children in the aftermath of her separation from Bill, but finds a new romance with Tyler's baseball coach Cal. She also opens The Corner Spa with her Sweet Magnolias friend group, currently one of the best friendships on TV. Unfortunately, Maddie finds out that Cal has serious anger issues in season 2, and season 3 will see the pair face various relational struggles after his arrest. Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Swisher got her start on the Nickelodeon series Are You Afraid of the Dark? as Sam.

However, Swisher arguably got her big break starring as Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on Reba. Swisher is best known for playing Sandy Sue in the satirical film Not Another Teen Movie, Megan in The Internship, and Christy in American Pie 2. The actress is no stranger to television as she's had several short stints and one-offs in popular TV shows like How I Met Your Mother, The Mindy Project, and Once Upon a Time. Outside of starring in Sweet Magnolias, Swisher has recently played Becky in the holiday film Christmas with the Campbells and Lindsey Johnson in the TV movie As Luck Would Have It.

Brooke Elliott As Dana Sue Sullivan

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Brooke Elliot plays Dana Sue Sullivan in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast. Dana Sue is the head chef at Serenity's hottest spot, Sullivan's, and spent season 2 reconciling with her estranged husband Ronnie. While the two seem to be happy now that they're together again, a mysterious figure from their past returned in the Sweet Magnolias season 2 finale, promising to bring trouble for the pair in season 3. Born in Fridley, Minnesota, Elliot saw her big screen debut playing an extra in What Women Want. She picked up critical acclaim for starring as Jane Bingum in Drop Dead Diva, winning a Women's Image Network award, and several other accolades.

While Elliot is best known for starring in Drop Dead Diva, she does have other credits to her name. Elliot had a one-off on Law & Order: Trial By Jury as Denise Bell and played Amber in the TV movie Furst Born. She has also portrayed Kendra in Diary of a Lunatic and Keri-Ann in Crazy Wonderful. Elliot most recently played Nancy in an episode of Dolly Parton's Heartstrings and Chrissy Kessler in the holiday film A Country Christmas Harmony. She has no upcoming projects, but has found great success with Sweet Magnolias and won't be leaving the screen anytime soon.

Heather Headley As Helen Decatur

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Heather Headley's Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast character is Helen Decatur, the final member of the Sweet Magnolias friend group. Helen is an accomplished attorney who finds herself in something of a love triangle for season 3. While she's enjoyed dating Dana Sue's sous chef Erik Whitley, the season 2 finale saw Ryan propose. Helen will have to make a difficult choice as she continues to think about motherhood and which partner will be best for her. Headley is from Barataria, Trinidad, and is well-known on both the stage and the screen. She got her big break voicing Nala in the original animated Lion King movie.

Headley is best known for playing Rosa Negra Singer in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and Clara Ward in Respect. She won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her role in Aida and has seven albums to her name as a solo artist. Like many of her fellow Sweet Magnolias cast members, she's no stranger to television and has portrayed Dr. Clara Jamison in She's Gotta Have It, voiced Fikiri in The Lion Guard, and had a stint on Chicago Med as Gwen Garrett.

Justin Bruening As Cal Maddox

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Justin Bruening plays Cal Maddox in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast. Tyler's baseball coach and Maddie's love interest, Cal unfortunately let his anger get the better of him in season 2. He was fired from the school board and then later arrested for a brawl at Sullivan's. The series will see one of the best Sweet Magnolias romances falter as he and Maddie attempt to pick up the pieces. Hailing from St. Helena, Nebraska, Bruening got his start appearing in Britney Spears' music video for "Boys" before finding himself in various television guest roles.

Actor Justin Bruening is best known for small arcs on TV shows, such as that of Kyle Dash in Good Behavior, Matthew Taylor in Grey's Anatomy, and Tyler Barrett in Ringer. However, his breakout role is arguably that of Jamie Martin on the ABC series All My Children. He's also appeared in popular television shows like Hawaii Five-O, CSI: NY, and Lucifer. Bruening most recently played Chase Weston in the TV movie Reindeer Games Homecoming and Warren in Vanished: Searching for My Sister.

Chris Klein As Bill Townsend

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Chris Klein joins the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast as Bill Townsend. Bill is Maddie's philandering ex-husband and father to their three children Tyler, Kyle, and Katie. Bill is Serenity's local doctor, who had an affair with nurse Noreen resulting in the birth of their daughter Rebecca in season 2. Sweet Magnolias revealed that Isaac's parents are actually Bill and Peggy, which is a major plot point of season 3. Born in Hinsdale, Illinois, actor Chris Klein was a breakout star in the '90s, seeing his debut role as Paul Metzler in the Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon-led rom-com Election.

Klein quickly found himself as a rising star when he was cast in his most recognizable role directly after Election: Oz in the American Pie franchise. Otherwise, Klein is known for portraying Jack Geoghegan in We Were Soldiers and Dusty Dinkleman in the Ryan Reynolds comedy Just Friends. He's also had small roles in a number of television shows, playing Tommy Dale in Franklin & Bash, Brad in Raising Hope, Drew in Wilfred, and voicing Dash in Tron: Uprising. Most recently, Klein took up the part of Orlin Dwyer/Cicada in The Flash TV show and played Ben McGrath in Benchwarmers 2: Breaking Balls.

Dion Johnstone As Erik Whitley

Dion Johnstone's Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast character is Erik Whitley. Erik is one of Sweet Magnolias' most likable characters. He's Dana Sue's sous chef at Sullivan's and often acts as something of a mentor to Isaac. He and Helen shared a sweet romance in Sweet Magnolias season 2, however, with Ryan's sudden appearance and proposal, their relationship may soon sour. Actor Dion Johnstone is from Montreal, Canada, and first appeared on the screen as Natty Bookman in the Disney Channel original cult classic TV series So Weird. He's had quite a storied career since then, but arguably got his big break with Sweet Magnolias.

Johnstone is most well-known for playing Caliban in The Tempest, Flight Engineer Timmins in The Core, and headlining as Craig Brooks in the short-lived series Star Falls. Johnstone has quite the recognizable visage, appearing in a variety of TV shows and movies like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, Josie and the Pussycats, Monk, and Stargate SG-1. Some of Johnstone's more contemporary credits include appearing as Andre in an episode of Jane, Brady in the TV movie Baking Spirits Bright, and Evan in Harland Manor. The actor can soon be seen in two short films, Baby Daddy and Pet Therapy.

Brandon Quinn As Ronnie Sullivan

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Brandon Quinn plays Ronnie Sullivan in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast. Upgraded to a series regular, Ronnie is Dana Sue's estranged husband and Annie's father, with who Dana Sue makes amends in season 2. The couple is going strong, however, a mysterious figure from their past threatens to shake up the game in Sweet Magnolias season 3. Brandon Quinn was born in Aurora, Colorado, and first appeared on the screen as Charlie Murphy in the short film Express: Aisle to Glory. Outside of his stint as Gabe Duncroft in The Fosters, Sweet Magnolias can be considered the actor's big break.

Brandon Quinn is most widely recognized for portraying Thompson McIntyre in the TV show Rebel and Tommy Dawkins in the supernatural series Big Wolf on Campus. Like many of his Sweet Magnolias co-stars, Quinn has had small guest roles in major television shows, appearing as Tom in Entourage, Lee in The Vampire Diaries, Max in Knight Rider, Peter in Bones, and Leo in Grey's Anatomy. More recently, Quinn can be seen playing Ellis in On a Wing and a Prayer, Danny in Die Hart, and Drake in the TV movie Cloudy With a Chance of Christmas. He can soon be seen as Golf Ryan in Metal Revolver Juvenile Incident.

Carson Rowland As Tyler Townsend

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Carson Rowland joins the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast as Maddie and Bill's eldest son Tyler. While Tyler started out as a baseball prodigy, he broke his arm and wrestles with whether he wants to continue the sport long-term. Tyler also faces romantic struggles in Sweet Magnolias season 3, as he's dating CeCe but is having increasing feelings for Dana Sue's daughter Annie. Hailing from Boca Raton, Florida, Carson Rowland is relatively new to the screen, getting his first role in 2015 playing Riley Sturgis in the show Tweet: The Series. Sweet Magnolias is his first breakout part.

Besides starring in Sweet Magnolias, Rowland is known for having an arc on Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin as Chip Langsberry, a short stint on American Housewife as Will Hansen, and acting in the podcast series Ghost Tape. Recently, Rowland appeared as Matty in the short film After, Jessie in the short film Run, and Slippy in the movie Santa in Training. Rowland also has a music career as a solo artist, with seven singles to his name.

Logan Allen As Kyle Townsend

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Logan Allen's Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast character is Kyle Townsend, Maddie and Bill's middle child who was in a major car crash at the end of season 1. Kyle has an interest in the theater and initially was interested in Dana Sue's daughter Annie. However, he began dating Nellie, but there's no telling how he'll feel about his brother's interest in his former flame during Sweet Magnolias season 3. Born and raised in central Florida, Logan Allen first appeared on the screen playing a classmate in the 2014 short film Birthday Boy before getting his big break starring as Kevin Ryan in Bernie and the Dolphin.

Allen reprised the role of Kevin for Bernie and the Dolphin 2 and is also known for portraying Harold in "The Companion" segment of the horror series Creepshow and cousin Vinnie for a small arc on Talia in the Kitchen. Many may also recognize actor Logan Allen for portraying Jake in three episodes of Stranger Things, Angela's boyfriend and one of Eleven's bullies in Lenora Hills, California during season 4. The young actor can soon be seen in the short film The Dark Room, portraying Elliot Perry.

Anneliese Judge As Annie Sullivan

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Anneliese Judge plays Annie Sullivan in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast, Ronnie and Dana Sue's teenage daughter. Annie is a talented photographer who has a complicated relationship with the Townsend brothers. While she kissed Tyler, she ended up dating the mayor's son Jackson. However, between Kyle developing feelings for her and the mayor's distaste for the Sweet Magnolias, Annie will be under a lot of pressure in Sweet Magnolias season 3. Born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Judge got her big break with Sweet Magnolias, as she's only previously played Jessica in Where's Rose. She can soon be seen in the short film Theo as Lexi.

Sweet Magnolias Season 3 Supporting Cast & Characters

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Jamie Lynn Spears as Noreen Fitzgibbons: Jamie Lynn Spears reprises the role of Noreen in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast, initially Bill's mistress and now the mother to his child. Spears is best known for her starring role in the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101 but has also had roles in Miss Guided, All That, and Crossroads.

Ella Grace Helton as Katie Townsend: Actress Ella Grace Helton has replaced Bianca Berry Tarantino in the role of Katie Townsend, Maddie and Bill's youngest child as well as Tyler and Kyle's sister. Helton played Jessa Phillips in Hubie Halloween and has also appeared in Witching Hour and United We Fall.

Simone Lockhart as Nellie Lewis: Simone Lockhart plays Nellie in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast, Kyle's girlfriend. Lockhart has also portrayed Anna in Jungle Cruise and can be seen in an episode of Manhunt.

Harlan Drum as CeCe Matney: Harlan Drum reprises the role of CeCe in Sweet Magnolias, Tyler's girlfriend who may not take too kindly to his growing connection with Annie. Drum has previously played Sophie in Grace Point, Anna in Hightown, and Brooklyn in the MacGyver reboot series.

Sam Ashby as Jackson Lewis: Sam Ashby plays Jackson in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast, Annie's star-crossed lover and the son of the mayor. Ashby had a stint on Legacies as Connor but has also appeared in The Desperate Riders, Queens, and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings.

Chris Medlin as Isaac Downey: Chris Medlin returns as audience-favorite Isaac in Sweet Magnolias, a cook at Dana Sue's restaurant Sullivan's who recently uncovered his troubling parentage. The Netflix series is arguably his breakout role, but the actor is part of the original cast of Mean Girls the Musical and Diana.

Caroline Lagerfelt as Paula Vreeland: Caroline Lagerfelt plays Paula Vreeland in the Sweet Magnolias season 3 cast, Maddie Townsend's mother and grandmother to Tyler, Kyle, and Katie. Lagerfelt has previously had roles in Gossip Girl, Minority Report, and Law & Order: Organized Crime.

Sweet Magnolias Season 3 Cast & Character Guide (2025)
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