Sweet Magnolias boss addresses Carson Rowland absence following dramatic season 4 finale

Sweet Magnolias has returned to Netflix for season 5 – and, as ever, the South Carolina town of Serenity, for all its picturesque charm, knows a thing or two about drama and scandal.

But one person who wasn’t around to experience any of it was Maddie’s eldest son, Ty. After a limited appearance in season 4, when the character was away touring Europe with his band, he is completely absent from season 5 after actor Carson Rowland decided to step away from the series.

“It was his choice,” showrunner Sheryl J Anderson confirmed to Deadline, after previously discussing Rowland’s desire to pursue other opportunities, which have included Ryan Murphy’s body-horror series The Beauty and YA adventure feature The Queen’s Jewels.

And like Rowland himself, Ty’s absence is explained by his decision to continue exploring life beyond Serenity – although he remains an important presence in the story as those closest to him grapple with his absence, especially Annie.

We last left them on a fraught note, casting doubt on the future of a relationship that had been years in the making. When Annie chose not to join Ty overseas, instead opting to study photography in California, a giant question mark was left hanging over the pair.

Could they resolve their differences and find a way to make long-distance work?

While season 5 doesn’t answer that question, it does offer a glimmer of hope for “Tynnie” stans when Ty sends her a text reading “Miss you” and later attempts to FaceTime her during Helen and Erik’s wedding – although she is with Noah at the time.

Anderson had also previously hinted that Annie and Ty’s story wasn’t over, telling Deadline after season 4: “There is inherent tragedy in young love, because when we fall in love fully for the first time, we truly believe that love conquers all, but it is part of growing as individuals and growing as a couple to understand that a real relationship takes real work, so they have work ahead of them.”

Sources also told Deadline that “the actor may be open to exploring a return should the series get renewed” – and fans will naturally be hoping it isn’t the end of the road for Ty and Annie.

“He’s still out there trying to figure out what happens next, she’s still in Serenity trying to figure out what happens next,” said Anderson. “And again, open doors we hope will lead to new information, different resolutions. Love isn’t cut and dry. You don’t just wake up one morning and say, I don’t love this person anymore, and move on. It takes time.”

But it’s not just Ty and Annie’s future that remains uncertain heading into a potential sixth season, with Dana Sue and Ronnie’s marriage also left hanging in the balance following another difficult season for the couple.

While Ronnie’s decision to store off-brand e-bikes in their garage ultimately worsened the damage caused by the fire, Dana Sue made it clear that their marriage had been struggling long before then, with poor communication and secrets once again pushing them apart. In the finale, she chose to move into her own place to give herself the space to figure out what she wants from both her future and their relationship.

So, are Dana Sue and Ronnie built to last? Or is this the beginning of the end for them?

If Sweet Magnolias returns for another season, the couple clearly have some difficult conversations ahead.

Sweet Magnolias streams on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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