What Happened in ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 2? 6 Questions the Show Needs to Answer

Sweet Magnolias Season 2 wasn’t holding back when it came to the drama. From Helen’s quest to become a mother to Cal’s blowup in the season finale to the jaw-dropping truth about Isaac’s biological parents, there was no shortage of shocking moments in the hit Netflix series’ sophomore season. While fans got answers to most of season 1’s lingering questions, they were left with plenty more at the end of season 2. As we wait for news about Sweet Magnolias Season 3, here are six questions the show will need to answer if (and hopefully when) it returns. 

Who will be Serenity’s next mayor? 

The Sweet Magnolias’ feud with Mary Vaughn dates back to their high school days. But it heated up in a big way in season 2 once Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Helen (Heather Headley), and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) realized Serenity’s resident villain was conspiring with her husband Trent (Paul Rolfes) to use his role as mayor to enrich themselves financially. The trio initiated an effort to boot Trent out of office and gathered enough signatures to put the recall to a vote. But who will run to replace Trent? It could be Maddie’s time to shine, though she’s hardly the only possible candidate. 

Who is the mystery woman from the ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 2 finale?

Apparently, Mary Vaughn isn’t the Sweet Magnolias’ only enemy. In the season 2 finale, fans got their first look at someone who has a serious grudge against Dana Sue. The unnamed woman first confronted Annie, asking her if her mother was “still busy wrecking peoples’ lives.” And when Ty showed Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue a video of the woman slashing the tires of the Sullivan’s catering van, the trio recognized her right away. 

“Dear Lord, she’s back,” Maddie says. “What should we do?”

Whoever the woman is, she clearly has a history in Serenity, and with Dana Sue. Chances are, fans will see more of her if Sweet Magnolias gets a season 3. 

What’s next for Bill and Isaac (and when will Noreen learn the truth)?

Isaac (Chris Medlin) finally learned the identity of his biological parents in Sweet Magnolias Season 2. His mother is Peggy (Brittany L. Smith). And his dad is Maddie’s ex-husband Bill (Chris Klein). After spending so much time searching for a connection to his past, learning that his father was Serenity’s biggest cad came as something of a letdown. It was also a major shock to Bill, who didn’t know Peggy had become pregnant after a high school fling. 

Will Isaac and Bill form a relationship in season 3? Isaac seems hesitant, but Bill may well want to get to know the son he never knew he had. That relationship could even be the start of a redemption arc for Bill. But any father-son bonding will be made more complicated by Isaac’s friendship with Noreen (Jamie Lynn Spears), who just gave birth to Bill’s child – and who doesn’t yet know that her ex is also her roommate’s father. 

What’s next for Cal and Maddie? 

Bill and Maddie’s relationship grew stronger over the course of Sweet Magnolias Season 2, even as his career veered off track. In the season finale, he lost his job as Serenity High’s baseball coach thanks to a past arrest on assault charges (as well as some skullduggery on Mary Vaughn’s part). He capped things off by getting into a fight with a deluded fan at Sullivan’s. That led to him being hauled off by the police. Even before that incident, Maddie had expressed concern about Cal’s anger issues. If he can’t get his hair-trigger temper under control, their romance may be doomed. 

Can Jackson and Annie make it work? 

Mary Vaughn’s son Jackson (Sam Ashby) and Dana Sue’s daughter Annie (Anneliese Judge) were the Romeo and Juliet of Sweet Magnolias Season 2. Their mothers may hate each other, but they’re not letting that stand in the way of their teenage romance. The season ended with Jackson declaring his intention to ignore his mother’s order that he stay away from Annie. But what will happen when school resumes in the fall? And how long will they be able to keep their relationship a secret from the meddling Mary Vaughn? There’s also the added wrinkle of Ty’s (Carson Rowland) feelings for Annie. Many fans are convinced Ty and Annie are meant to be together, and it’s possible the show’s writers are just pushing Jackson and Annie together now as a prelude to an eventual Ty and Annie pairing.  

Will Helen say yes after Ryan proposed at the end of ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 2? 

Helen was on a rollercoaster in Sweet Magnolias Season 2. The season began with her joy at learning she was pregnant. That was followed swiftly by the heartbreak of her miscarriage and, later, her tentative happiness when she decided to give things a go with chef Erik (Dion Johnstone). But just as Helen was moving forward with Erik and her attempts to have a baby via IVF, her ex Ryan (Michael Shenefelt) reentered her life in a big way. 

Ryan was Helen’s first love. However, they finally ended their on-again, off-again relationship in season 1 when he announced he wasn’t interested in having kids. That was a dealbreaker for Helen, who wanted to have a family. But when Ryan returns to Serenity for his aunt’s funeral in the season 2 finale, he had some big news. He’d reconsidered his no-kids stance. What’s more, he was ready to settle down. The episode ended with Ryan dropping down on one knee and asking a stunned Helen to marry him. Will Helen give Ryan another chance? Or will she stick with Erik, the man who’s shown he’s committed to being by her side as she pursues her dream of becoming a mother?

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