As a newlywed to Cal (Justin Bruening) and mother of Ty (Carson Rowland), Kyle (Logan Allen), and Katie (Ella Grace Helton), Maddie chose to say yes to a dream at the end of Season 4. Six months later, she’s merging her marketing degree with her passion for storytelling, becoming the Alice in Wonderland of New York City. She’s amplifying authors whose stories she believes in, while remaining committed to her family and community back home in Serenity. 

But, much like Alice, Maddie embraces the rabbit hole she’s gone down and must learn to adapt when things go topsy-turvy. “We always envisioned New York as what happens when you think you have your dream in your hand, but then once you get up close, you go, ‘Oh, maybe this wasn’t quite the dream I thought it was,’” says Anderson. Even so, Maddie’s fellow Magnolias couldn’t be prouder to see where chasing her dreams has led their dear friend.

Best known for her breakout TV role as daughter Cheyenne in the long-running sitcom Reba, Garcia Swisher has been a staple on television since her days on Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark. Other recent TV highlights before joining the Sweet Magnolias cast include iconic Disney princess Ariel in Once Upon a Time and Betty Grissom in The Astronaut Wives Club.

Chef Dana Sue is at a transitional point in her life. Her daughter Annie (Anneliese Judge), whom she shares with husband Ronnie (Brandon Quinn), is preparing to leave for college in the fall. As a result, Dana Sue is determined to make the most of their final summer together while also looking ahead to her next dream. 

After putting in a bid for her own teaching kitchen, the original head chef of Sullivan’s begins to wonder whether she and Ronnie are truly aligned when it comes to supporting each other’s dreams. “She’s had so many dreams and plans that skittered away right as she was about to put a hand on them,” says Anderson. 

Elliott charmed TV audiences as lawyer Jane Bingham in the series Drop Dead Diva, and isn’t the only theater veteran in the cast. Like co-star Headley she’s had her own Broadway stints (in the shows Taboo and The Pirate Queen). 

Accomplished attorney Helen is basking in newly engaged bliss when we see her again six months later. She’s ecstatic and hopeful about building the life of her dreams with Chef Erik (Dion Johnstone), and this season follows the couple through every step of their wedding planning journey. “We certainly didn’t want to go, ‘Well, Episode 1, yay, they are married,’” jokes Anderson. The creator teases that the audience will get to enjoy “the bachelor party and the bachelorette party and the bridal shower and all the fun stuff,” she says. “But in and around that fun stuff,” the emotionally in tune couple also confront “some hard questions.”

One more important thing to know about Helen: She’s an incredible singer, which makes sense, considering she’s played by a legendary Tony Award winner.

The musical theater icon took home a Tony in 2000 for her role in Aida, and played the inaugural role of Nala in The Lion King musical. She’s also brought down the (Broadway) house in Dreamgirls and The Color Purple. Most recently she played Clara Ward in the Aretha Franklin film Respect, and Dr. Jamison in the series She’s Gotta Have It.

The middle Townsend child is a sensitive soul with a love for acting, gaming, and following his big heart wherever it takes him. He and his girlfriend Lily (Artemis) are auditioning for a summer production of The Taming of the Shrew together before she heads off to college.

After making his professional acting debut in the Nickelodeon series Talia in the Kitchen, Allen appeared in the independent film Bernie the Dolphin and its sequel, the horror series Creepshow, and several episodes of Stranger Things Season 4.

Dana Sue and Ronnie’s daughter Annie is moving to California to study photography in the fall. But before she leaves the town she calls home behind, she is ready to have a summer of fun with her own sisterhood of Mini Magnolias — and seemingly without Ty in the picture, as he’s still off on his European tour. 

“We just wanted to offer her this moment where unexpectedly her world is wide open, but there’s that ticking clock of school,” says Anderson. “We wanted to help her sort out what she wants for herself and what she wants out of a relationship going forward.”

Newcomer Judge made her professional acting debut in Sweet Magnolias.

Newlyweds Cal and Maddie got an unexpected start to married life after Maddie’s ex-husband Bill (Chris Klein) died not long after their Halloween nuptials in Season 4. While Cal may not be the biological father of Maddie’s three children, he is the father that stepped up when they needed him most, and his heart still melts whenever they call him Dad. 

Now a partner at Sullivan’s & Friends, the former baseball player has seemingly left his playing days behind, but “America’s pastime” may not be done with him just yet …

Soap opera veteran Bruening put in several years in All My Children, and has appeared in TV series as varied as the 2008 Knight Rider reboot and the young adult drama Switched at Birth (as well as Ringer, Good Behavior, Ravenswood, Hawaii Five-0 and many more).

After a Christmastime proposal, Sullivan’s & Friends’ head chef can’t wait to marry the woman he’s pined after for four seasons. But as the couple plans their wedding together, Erik must figure out how to balance his family’s “Whitley way” of doing things with the more collaborative life he and Helen want to build.

The Canadian actor has dozens of holiday movies, TV series, and short films on his résumé, including the kids’ show Jane and thriller Departure. 

While Dana Sue is pursuing her dream of opening a teaching kitchen, her husband Ronnie is equally determined to turn his e-bike business into something his family can be proud of. But when he struggles to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it leaves Dana Sue and Annie questioning where his priorities truly lie. “He means well,” says Anderson. “He loves her, he loves Annie, but the man cannot get out of his own way.”

Children of the ’90s will recognize Quinn as Tommy from Big Wolf on Campus, and the actor has also appeared in series as varied as The O.C., Entourage, The Fosters, and Die Hart.

Noreen has found her place in Serenity, with the help and support of the Magnolias. She’s raising her young daughter, Bex, alongside her half-siblings — including Noreen’s best friend, Isaac (Chris Medlin). She’s also moved in with her partner, Jeremy (Chase Anderson), who fully embraces their family-focused life together. And in Maddie’s absence, she helps manage the spa whenever she’s not making medical house calls around town.

Spears made her onscreen debut as a younger version of her older sister Britney’s character in the Shonda Rhimes–penned movie Crossroads before transitioning to television, including as part of the cast of the sketch comedy series All That and as the titular lead of Nickelodeon comedy Zoey 101.

Isaac, who works at Sullivan’s & Friends, feels more certain than ever about his future in Serenity. Now that the identities of his birth parents — Peggy (Brittany L. Smith) and Bill — are out in the open after Bill’s death, Isaac is building closer bonds with his newfound family members. He’s also ready to get more serious with his boyfriend, Michael (Kyle Findley), who adores both Isaac and his pecan pie, of course.

Medlin is an original Broadway cast member of Mean Girls the Musical and Diana, and he has a background in dance.

Maddie’s artist mom encourages Maddie to pursue her dreams. She’s also spending more time with her grandchildren and nurturing their creativity along the way.

Theater veteran Lagerfelt has appeared on stages around the world. Onscreen, you’ve seen her in everything from Nash Bridges to Minority Report.

Cal’s mother, Iris, often visits her family in Serenity. The talented seamstress has become close friends with Maddie’s artistic mother, Paula. The two are even planning girls’ trips of their own!

You’ve seen her in plenty of places, but most importantly, you’ve heard her as the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Nell is a prominent writer who Maddie befriends in New York.

The Sopranos, Entourage

Miss Eustice is one of Serenity’s beloved matrons. Noreen regularly checks in on her through the mobile clinic she runs with Howie (Shawn Passwaters). She’s also a longtime friend of Helen’s mother.

Flight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, Nappily Ever After

Courtney, the daughter of Paula’s boyfriend, is Ronnie’s new, hard-charging business partner who doesn’t quite understand the meaning of work-life balance.

Disclosure Day, Stranger Things

Clark Bellson has known the Magnolias since they were kids growing up in Serenity, and he and Dana Sue have shared a particular tension since third grade. These days, he’s a rival business owner whose presence tends to complicate life for the Magnolias.

Fantasy Island, S.W.A.T.

Noah is the grandson of Neville (Alpha Trivette) and Grace (Vickie Eng) Wharton, the longtime owners of Serenity’s beloved local eatery, Wharton’s. While spending the summer with his grandparents, the young cartographer and conservationist strikes up a friendship with Annie.

Stick, SEAL Team

Blake works at Ronnie’s Bike Barn. But he doesn’t know Annie is his boss’s daughter when he first meets her at Sullivan’s & Friends.

M.I.A., Find Your Friends

Erik’s niece Jessica makes a surprise visit to her uncle and soon-to-be-aunt Helen before their wedding. “We knew she would bring interesting developments to both the adults and Mini Magnolias space,” says Anderson. 

“Her arrival also prompts Erik and Helen to reflect on bigger questions before their nuptials, like ‘What do we want for each other? What do we want for ourselves? How can we offer her a sense of community even if we don’t know how long she’s staying?” says Anderson. It was important to the showrunner that viewers get to know Jessica first before meeting more of Erik’s family, like his brother and parents.

The Midnight Club, #BlackAF