Sweet Magnolias returns after a year and a half, and it couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. The feel-good romantic drama is better than ever, and the new season is full of stunning surprises, heartbreaking revelations, and memorable guest stars. Perhaps the only thing better would have been if the show premiered last fall, as the holiday season features heavily in these new 10 episodes. (On the other hand, maybe we could all use some delayed holiday magic right about now.)
Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, who also directs this season), Dana Sue (Brooke Elliot), and Helen (Heather Headley) must navigate new career opportunities, returning family members, and life-altering circumstances. Says showrunner and executive producer Sheryl Anderson “There are huge twists and turns and surprises, both good and bad within every episode. The theme for season 4 was ‘seize your passion,’ and while our characters must grapple with really difficult situations, they always come together in love to support each other.”
Also, unlike previous seasons, which picked up relatively soon after the events of the season prior, slightly more time has passed between season three and season four than people are used to. “That gives us a lot of runway,” Anderson teases.
Speaking of season three, that finale saw Dana Sue and Ronnie renew their vows, but it was also memorable for a couple other reasons: fan favorites Annie and Ty held hands, and Erik and Helen shared a look that spoke volumes. So what’s in store for both sets of characters in season four?
“I would encourage our audience, [who we consider] our extended family, to understand that while their favorite characters might not be in the place they’d hoped when the season opens, be patient and let this season unfold,” Anderson says.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of exciting guest stars this season, and fans of Disney’s 1989 The Little Mermaid will immediately recognize Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, as Cal’s mother, Iris. “She fills in that piece of Cal’s history, and Jodi was as warm and wonderful as you would hope,” Anderson tells me. “We had a connection to her, so we reached out. But what floored me was she auditioned, and I was just like, ‘Wait, no, you don’t…okay, if you want to.’ It was glorious. She is so humble and genuine and down to earth. She and Justin [Bruening, who plays Cal] play off each other so beautifully that you’d think they’d worked together before, but they hadn’t. And of course, two Little Mermaids on the same set (Swisher played Ariel in ABC’s Once Upon a Time), everybody was freaking out about that too. There’s just an abundance of great guest stars across the season.”
For more about the new season, come back to Glamour (bookmark this page) on Thursday, as Anderson will discuss everything that happens this season, including the moments you’ll be dying to get answers to.
On that note, see what else is worth your time, below, and I’ll see you back here next Sunday to preview the new season of The White Lotus, and the latest installment in the Bridget Jones franchise.
Sunday, February 2
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS): It will be a star-studded affair tonight as Beyoncé (who is up for the most Grammy nominations with 11), Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift will be in attendance. The live show—which will raise funds to support Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts—will also see performances from Eilish, Roan, Carpenter, Charli xcx, Doechii, RAYE, Shakira, Teddy Swims, and more. Meanwhile, the In Memoriam segment will feature a salute to the life and legacy of Quincy Jones. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT and streaming live on Paramount+
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (CNN): Chronicling his personal and professional life before and after the near-fatal horseback riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story uses Reeve’s own words as well as intimate testimonials from his closest family members and friends to showcase the man who refused to be defined by his new reality. The film also features extensive archival footage of Reeve with his best friend and Juilliard classmate Robin Williams, who, with his wife Marsha, was a constant source of support for Reeve and his family. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT and streaming on Max
Monday, February 3
The Voice (NBC): Adam Levine returns, along with judges Kelsea Ballerini, Michael Bublé, and John Legend for the new season. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
Below Deck Down Under (Bravo): Capt. Jason Chambers, Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, and Deckhand Harry Van Vliet will return for the new season along with new crew members, Bosun Wihan Du Toit, Chief Stew Lara Rigby, Deckhands Johnny Arvanitis, and Adair Werley, Stews Brianna Duffield and Marina Marcondes de Barros and Sous-Chef Anthony Bird. Per the press release, the third season sees the crew sets sail to the Seychelles off the coast of Africa. Jason is at the forefront of Motor Yacht Katina, the franchise’s largest vessel yet, but he must explore new depths to face this season’s challenges. Meanwhile, Chef Tzarina is now in the galley of her dreams with a sous chef by her side and ready to explore the vibrant flavors of East Africa. However, a weevil infestation and rising tension with her sous chef threaten to turn her kitchen into chaos. 8 p.m. ET/PT, and streaming the next day on Peacock
The Bachelor (ABC): Still on a high following night one, Grant and the women continue their journey for love on dates that tap into Grant’s love of sports, music, and playful energy. However, jealousy amongst the women leads to a tense cocktail party. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu
Tuesday, February 4
Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill: The Complete Companion to Better Call Saul (Abrams Press): Timed to the 10th anniversary of Better Call Saul‘s premiere, Alan Sepinwall does a deep dive on every episode of the Breaking Bad spinoff, along with interviews with creator Vince Gilligan, stars Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn, and series co-creator Peter Gould. Available for purchase here
Will Trent (ABC): The newest episode, titled “Breathe with Me,” sees Evelyn Mitchell return to town. As a result, things take a quick turn as she becomes entangled in a case involving a rare stolen coin. Meanwhile, as Faith navigates her complex roles as both a daughter and detective, the stakes rise higher than ever. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
High Potential (ABC): The FBI joins the investigation into the murder of a controversial tech magnate, forcing Karadec to reunite with his former partner. Meanwhile, Ludo becomes overwhelmed with his increasing childcare duties. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT
The Rookie (ABC): Titled “Til Death,” the newest episode airs tonight. 10 p.m. ET/PT, 9 p.m. CT
Wednesday, February 5
Wild Cards (CW): The blue-sky procedural returns for season two. The series, starring Grey’s Anatomy vet Giacomo Gianniotti and Riverdale alum Vanessa Morgan, follows a by-the-book, sardonic cop and a spirited, clever con woman who are assigned by the Metro Police force to work together. In the season one finale, Detective Cole Ellis (Gianniotti) was back on the police force full time while Max Mitchell (Morgan) avoided jail time only to pull an elaborate con worth millions of dollars deceiving them all. But in a major revelation, she risked it all to tell Ellis that she found out who killed his brother. Now, reassigned to work together, the stakes are raised, both personally and professionally. The series also stars Terry Chen, Michael Xavier, Amy Goodmurphy, and Jason Priestley. Guest stars this season include Martin Sheen, Ally Sheedy, Marie Avgeropoulos, Katie Findlay, and WWE NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo. 8 p.m. ET/PT
Shifting Gears (ABC): Riley’s estranged husband, Jimmy, shows up to win her back, as Riley finds support in an unexpected place. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT
Abbott Elementary (ABC): The teachers’ competitive sides come out while supervising the kids making their science fair projects. 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, 7:30 p.m. CT
Kinda Pregnant (Netflix): Jealous of her best friend’s pregnancy, Lainy (Amy Schumer) wears a fake baby bump…and accidentally meets the man of her dreams. You know, cause that will end well. (Or perhaps it does.) Streaming
Thursday, February 6
Sweet Magnolias (Netflix): This season, storms—emotional and natural—disrupt life in Serenity, and bring Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue even closer in unexpected ways. There’s also new music this season, both from Heather Headley (Helen Decatur), who performs “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” and “Margarita Christmas,” by Dylan Rysstad. Both songs are available on Spotify. 10 episodes streaming
The Z-Suite (Tubi): Lauren Graham and Madison Shamoun star in this new original series that takes place at a boutique New York City ad agency and features a generational clash between C-Suite executives and Gen Z employees. Streaming
Apple Cider Vinegar (Netflix): Set at the birth of Instagram, the limited series follows two young women who set out to cure their life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness, influencing their global online communities along the way. Of course, all of this would be incredibly inspiring if it were true, but it’s not. Inspired by the book, The Woman Who Fooled the World, by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, the series stars Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick, Unbelievable), Alycia Debnam-Carey (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Fear the Walking Dead) Aisha Dee (The Bold Type, Safe Home), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, I Am Woman), Ashley Zukerman (Succession), and more, and was shot on-location in Melbourne, Australia. Streaming
Clean Slate (Prime Video): Laverne Cox and George Wallace star in this eight-episode comedy. It follows Harry (Wallace), an old-school car wash owner in Alabama who has a lot of soul searching to do when the child he thought was a son returns after 17 years as a proud trans woman, Desiree (Cox). Her homecoming brings together a hilarious cast of friends, coworkers, and love interests as Desiree and Harry try to get it right the second time around. Streaming
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (CBS): Titled “A Tire Convention and the Moral High Ground,” Georgie discovers that Jim’s annual tire convention trip isn’t what he says it is. Meanwhile, Mandy has doubts about the strength of her and Georgie’s marriage. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming on Paramount+
Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (Hallmark Mystery): Starring Alison Sweeney and Victor Webster along with Barbara Niven, here’s what’s in store in tonight’s all-new original movie: Hannah’s favorite reality show takes over The Cookie Jar. When the producer is found dead, Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer. Chad invites Hannah to court. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
Friday, February 7
30th Annual Critics Choice Awards (E!): After being postponed twice due to the Los Angeles fires, the awards show that features the best of film and television as voted on by critics (myself included), will air live tonight on E! and stream the next day on Peacock. Chelsea Handler will return as host for the third consecutive year, and shows like Nobody Wants This, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building and more are nominated. (And be on the lookout, as since I’m a member of the CCA’s, I’m scheduled to sit next to some familiar faces from Palm Royale and Shrinking). 7 p.m. ET/PT, 6 p.m. CT, and streaming the next day on Peacock
Parthenope (A24): The dazzling fantasy-drama that is a love letter to Naples, Italy follows a woman (Celeste Dalla Porta) from her birth in 1950 to present day, looking back on her experiences. In select theaters
Love Hurts (Universal): Starring Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, and Lio Tipton, the story centers on Marvin (Quan), a former assassin-turned-realtor whose past catches up with him when an old partner resurfaces with a cryptic message. In theaters
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl (Disney+): In honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles transforms into the Pride Lands for an immersive concert event. Streaming
The post What to Watch the Week of February 2: Season 4 of Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias Will Erase Your Winter Blues appeared first on Glamour.
