The season finale of any captivating series is usually the most exhilarating one, but it is often equally devastating as it comes with the realization that the agony of having to patiently wait for the story to continue is back again. It doesn’t get easier, no matter how many seasons a series already has, and one of Netflix’s most beloved romance series is the ultimate proof of that.
Virgin River, which has rapidly become a romance staple on the streaming platform and is seemingly here to stay, was first released in 2019 and already consists of six thrilling seasons. Luckily enough, it has been renewed for a seventh season. However, with the release date still unknown, it is high time to find another feel-good romance series on Netflix. Get comfy and grab your blanket (and a margarita) because Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias is not only bringing along the same vibe as the long-running series, but it also just released its fourth season on February 6.
‘Sweet Magnolias’ Has Comfort Characters and Weekly Margarita Nights
Virgin River fans will likely collectively agree and say that the cast in the Netflix series is everything. Of course, Alexandra Breckenridge’s Mel Monroe and Martin Henderson’s Jack Sheridan are at the center of events, and they lay the foundation for the captivating chemistry throughout the entire show. However, there are also important side characters such as Doc (Tim Matheson) and Hope (Annette O’Toole), Preacher (John Middleton), all the sewing circle ladies, and particularly the best character in Virgin River, Muriel (Teryl Rothery), who have all become comfort characters.
While Netflix’s highly popular series mainly follows the life of midwife and nurse practitioner Mel Monroe, who leaves her big city life behind after a traumatic experience and starts over in the small town of Virgin River, the Netflix series has a lot of relatable characteristics to offer. Sweet Magnolias is basically the sister series of Virgin River, as it also has many beloved characters and, of course, multiple margarita nights shared between the three main characters and best friends. With Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott), and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley) somehow managing to bring all the drama but also overflowing love and a sense of community to their hometown, Serenity, it is easy to pick a favorite and form a close connection to them.
‘Sweet Magnolias’ and ‘Virgin River’ Share a Similar Setting
Going from the town of Virgin River to Serenity brings some changes, but what stays the same is the environment that feels like a warm hug. Both series deliver stunning locations and perfectly convey the comforting but often overwhelming spirit of a small town. Virgin River certainly is all about the cute cottages in the green forests or the old-school B&Bs, while Serenity stands out with its big family houses and proper town hall. Comparing the two towns will undoubtedly make the wait for Virgin River Season 7 a lot easier.
Even though there are some differences, it doesn’t change the fact that the setting is still fundamentally the same. Somehow, everything and everyone is connected in both of the Netflix series, and Virgin River, as well as Sweet Magnolias, have a specific bar or restaurant where many important moments unfold. Jack’s bar and Dana Sue’s Sullivan, respectively, are the towns’ hearts, surrounded by nature and small-town idylls.
