When Brooke Elliott reflects on Season 5 of Netflix’s hit drama Sweet Magnolias, one word comes to mind: Growth.
For Dana Sue Sullivan and her lifelong best friends, Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley), the new season is about discovering what comes next.
“I think all three of them are very similar in that they want to know what more they can do, what more they have in them, and what more they can offer Serenity, and their friends and family,” Elliott exclusively told Parade. “They want to keep growing and expanding, and I love that about these women.”
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Heather Headley, Brooke Elliott, and JoAnna Garcia Swisher in the Netflix series 'Sweet Magnolias'Courtesy of Netflix
That desire for growth fuels much of Season 5. Dana Sue, Maddie, and Helen are all stepping into new opportunities, pursuing fresh dreams, and challenging themselves in unexpected ways. One major development is Maddie’s new publishing career in New York, which creates exciting possibilities for the trio.
“Dana Sue is trying really hard to make that happen while also supporting everyone else’s dreams,” Elliott said. “That’s very much like the women in our lives.”
As always, Dana Sue finds herself balancing her own ambitions with her deep commitment to family, friends, and community. But this season also shines a spotlight on more challenges closer to home -- particularly in her tumultuous marriage to the impulsive Ronnie Sullivan (Brandon Quinn).
According to Elliott, Ronnie’s tendency to charge ahead without seeking advice continues to create tension.
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“I find Ronnie’s journey so interesting because he still has some old habits and defense mechanisms, and it’s really time for those to drop away,” she explained. “But he uses those things as a source of pride, and that’s where there’s such a disconnect between the two of them,” putting a big strain on their marriage.
Dana Sue sees warning signs that Ronnie either misses or chooses to ignore. While his intentions may be good, Elliott believes he often fails to recognize the impact of his actions.
“Ronnie is trying to prove himself to other men, to his wife, and to his daughter Annie (Anneliese Judge),” she said. “He’s so headstrong that he believes everything will ultimately work out. But everyone else sees him as misguided and creating more problems.”
However, Ronnie remains convinced that Dana Sue will eventually come around. “He believes Dana Sue will be on board if she just hangs tight,” Elliott said. “He’s missing the fact that he’s making critical errors that are eroding their relationship.”
Those unresolved issues trace back to the couple’s reconciliation. “They didn’t fully work through everything they needed to when they got back together,” Elliott noted. “Old habits are still at play for both of them, and it’s exposing cracks in their foundation.”
While Dana Sue faces difficult truths this season, Elliott views those struggles as an essential part of her evolution.
“Dana Sue has missteps and triumphs, but I see all of it as a learning curve,” she said. “Her trips and falls help her learn more about respecting herself, respecting others, and understanding what she truly needs.”
That journey resonates deeply with the actress. “One of the things I appreciate the most about Dana Sue is that she’s a person of integrity,” Elliott said. “She’s coming to some important truths, and those truths aren’t always easy to face. I relate to that because I’m always looking for more truth in my own life.”
In fact, Elliott believes truth and respect emerge as two of the season’s strongest themes. “I saw that throughout the season -- respect for yourself and respect for others,” she said. “Sometimes that leads you to a truth you didn’t want to see or maybe didn’t even realize was there.”
Related: ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 5 Boss Reveals What Happens When Maddie Leaves Serenity — and What It Means for Her Marriage (Exclusive)
Brandon Quinn, Anneliese Judge and Brooke Elliott in the Netflix series, 'Sweet Magnolias'Courtesy of Netflix
Another major storyline involves Dana Sue’s daughter Annie, who is preparing to graduate from high school and head off to college.
For Dana Sue, it marks a profound transition. “It’s about your daughter or son growing up and not being your child anymore in the way you knew them before,” Elliott said. “That’s a huge adjustment as a woman, a mother, and a person. It also affects her relationship with Ronnie.”
The empty-nest experience forces Dana Sue to reevaluate not only her role as a mother but also the future she wants for herself. While Season 5 explores change and uncertainty, Elliott believes the series’ enduring appeal lies in something much simpler: friendship. The bond between Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen remains the emotional center of the show, and Elliott feels it’s especially meaningful in today’s world.
“Having a friend who sees your heart, understands your intentions, and has your back -- even when they may disagree with you -- is priceless,” she said. “To have people you can always rely on is life-changing.”
That unwavering support system is what makes the Sweet Magnolias trio so special. “I think that’s what Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen are for each other,” Elliott said. "Hopefully, people have that in their own lives. And if they don’t, maybe they can experience it through watching our show.”
Brooke Elliott, JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Heather Headley in the Netflix series 'Sweet Magnolias'Courtesy of Netflix
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Fortunately, the chemistry viewers see on screen extends well beyond the cameras. Elliott says she quickly developed a close friendship with Swisher and Headley, and their real-life connection strengthens their performances.
“They are both so wonderful,” she said. “What exists between Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen is a deep respect for each other’s dreams, hearts, and intentions.”
That mutual respect, she believes, is the foundation of their friendship.
“They understand each other’s hearts,” Elliott said. “That’s one of the reasons their friendship is so strong.”
Related: ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 5 Is Finally Almost Here
Some of Elliott’s favorite memories from filming involve the show’s signature Margarita Nights, where the three friends gather to share laughs, advice, and support.
“We have such a great time shooting those scenes,” she said. “They can take five or six hours to film, so we spend a lot of time together.”
The cast often gets opportunities to improvise and play with the material.
“I love those moments because they’re so fun,” Elliott said. “The girls are hilarious, and we have such a blast.”
Brooke Elliott in the Netflix series 'Sweet Magnolias'Steve Swisher/Netflix
Like Dana Sue, Elliott enjoys spending time in the kitchen, although she’s quick to point out that she’s not a professionally trained chef.
“I love cooking,” she said with a laugh. “A friend of mine always leaves messages saying, ‘Cooking with Brooke would be the funniest show.’ ” Her approach is less about precision and more about creativity. “I like to play and experiment,” she said. “I enjoy the creativity of it.”
As Season 5 approaches, Elliott hopes viewers return not only for the romance, drama, and surprises, but also for the sense of belonging that Serenity provides.
“I hope they come back for the sense of community,” she said. “At times, people can feel really lonely, and I hope they feel like they’re part of Serenity.”
She believes audiences connect with the show because it offers both comfort and authenticity.
Brandon Quinn and Brooke Elliott in the Netflix series 'Sweet Magnolias'Photo credit: Netflix© 2023
“I hope they love the drama, the fun, the sweetness, and even the hard times,” Elliott said. “All of those things are part of these characters’ stories.”
Fans often tell her that Sweet Magnolias feels like home. “I’ve had so many people tell me, ‘I wish I could crawl into the TV and go to Serenity and be friends with Dana Sue, Maddie, and Helen,’” she said.
Those reactions don’t surprise her. “I think people are looking for solid friendships they can rely on,” Elliott said. “They want a world that supports them, respects them, and makes them feel welcome. They want friends who truly see and hear them.”
That sense of connection is also why Elliott hopes Netflix will renew the series for season 6. “I would love to see what happens next with these characters,” she said. “I’d love to dig deeper into all the things we leave unresolved at the end of season 5.”
More importantly, she believes the show serves an important purpose. “We need shows where people can feel seen, heard, and included,” Elliott said. “I personally think this show does that. I’d love for viewers to have another season and another opportunity to feel like they’re part of this world.”
Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias premieres June 11 on Netflix. Seasons 1 through 4 are currently streaming on Netflix.
Related: JoAnna Garcia Swisher Teases 'Sweet Magnolias' Season 5 — and Reveals What It Would Take for Netflix to Greenlight Season 6 (Exclusive)
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