Sweet Magnolias has been set in the small town of Serenity since it premiered on Netflix - but is season 5 moving the show to New York City? Based on Sherryl Woods' novels, Sweet Magnolias tells the story of three women who have been best friends since childhood as they navigate their romantic lives, careers and growing families. Season 4, which aired in 2025, concluded with Maddie (JoAnna García Swisher) choosing to take a job in New York City despite living in South Carolina.