Jamie Lynn Spears Addresses Sweet Magnolias’ Cancellation
Jamie Lynn Spears is speaking out after the shocking cancellation of Netflix’s hit dramedy Sweet Magnolias.
“I can’t put into words how much the people who make up our Sweet Mags family mean to me, and that’s not just the producers, cast, crew & @Netflix who are like actual family at this point, but also each of you who watched and became a part of our family as well,” Spears, 35, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, September 20. “It’s so rare to have five seasons straight be #1 around the whole world, in a business where getting a 2nd season of anything is almost impossible these days.”
Netflix announced on Friday, September 18, that Sweet Magnolias was canceled and there would not be a sixth season of the show. Spears, for her part, starred as Noreen, a nurse new to Serenity, South Carolina, who has an affair with her boss, Dr. Bill Townsend (Chris Klein). Before Noreen and Bill welcomed their daughter, Rebecca, the town pediatrician divorced wife Maddie Townsend (Joanna Garcia Swisher). Noreen and Maddie eventually bonded after Bill’s death, each also finding new love interests.
Sweet Magnolias was Spears’ return to Hollywood after taking a break from the cameras to focus on raising her children. (Spears shares daughter Maddie, 18, with ex Casey Aldridge and daughter Ivey, 8, with husband Jamie Watson.)
“Maddie was in middle school and Ivey was a little baby, still breast-feeding when the producers were just crazy enough to give this insecure but hopeful young mama a chance,” Spears recalled on Sunday of being cast on Sweet Magnolias season 1. “Little did they know they were actually giving a part of myself ‘life’ again, a part of myself I desperately needed and it healed me in ways that allowed me to grow as an actress, but most importantly as a person and a mother.”
Jamie Lynn Spears as Noreen Fitzgibbons and Chase Anderson as Jeremy Reynolds in season 4. Courtesy of Netflix
She continued, “I was given the gift of being able to provide for my family, doing something I was proud of, surrounded by people I respected and loved while creating something we all valued. I owe it all to each and every person who loved Serenity, and the people who made it what it was.”
The Zoey 101 alum further thanked the show creators and fans alike for allowing her to “be a part of this magical family.”
“That’s something that will never end 🤍🤍,” Spears concluded.
Spears’ remarks particularly hit home for costars, including Garcia Swisher, 47.
“I love you so much,” the Reba alum replied in the comments section. “You’re a gift! And forever my family.”
All five seasons of Sweet Magnolias are currently streaming on Netflix.
