Netflix's 'Sweet Magnolias' Takes Place in South Carolina, but Where Is It Filmed?
Updated July 20 2023, 12:29 p.m. ET
"There is not a problem that can't be solved by having a drink and a talk," Helen once declared in the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias, and boy, do we agree!
The show, based on Sherryl Woods's popular book series, follows lifelong best friends Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Helen (Heather Headley), and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) as they juggle relationships, family, and careers in the charming small town of Serenity, S.C.
While the show takes place in Serenity in South Carolina, Sweet Magnolias isn't filmed there, mostly because it's a fictional place! So, where is Sweet Magnolias actually filmed? Keep reading!
Where is 'Sweet Magnolias' filmed?
While Sweet Magnolias takes place in the peaceful (and fictional) southern town of Serenity, S.C., the series is actually filmed in Georgia, in the quaint downtown area of Covington.
Filming for Season 1 began in the summer of 2019, and the city of Covington's official Facebook page wrote in October 2019 that while the production of Season 1 had "come and gone," Sweet Magnolias had "absolutely left its mark on our southern town."
The downtown area serves as the perfect backdrop for these childhood friends who got together to fulfill their lifelong dream of opening a spa together in order to reinvigorate their bodies, spirits, and the town at large.
Sullivan's Restaurant is actually Mystic Grill.
Brooke Elliott's Dana Sue owns Sullivan's Restaurant in this series, a cherished spot where everyone in town can enjoy a fresh and delicious meal. The restaurant is one of the only things grounding the talented Dana, a chef who is trying to make things work with her ex-husband.
Sullivan's Restaurant is, in fact, Covington's own Mystic Grill, a beautifully stylish Southern restaurant that has also served as a filming spot for The Vampire Diaries, in case any astute viewers think they recognize the eatery.
As for the Corner Spa, that is actually a law firm!
The Corner Spa, the space these friends open "for the women of Serenity," uses the exterior of a law office — the law office of Tommy Craig, to be precise — as its exterior.
More Covington locations are also included in 'Sweet Magnolias.'
According to This Is My South, a lot the show is filmed in downtown Covington. Covington Square is filled with lovely trees, park benches, and even a few war monuments covered by the shade of the local courthouse. Fans of the show who are curious to check out downtown Covington in real life will be delighted at all it has to offer.
Depot Sports Bar and Grill is a welcoming bar you'll locate on your way toward Oxford. Rewind back to the second episode of Season 1, and you'll see the characters gathering here for a short while. Instead of a bar, this spot is disguised as a pizzeria with tasty wings and burgers.
Sweet Magnolias has also shown Southview Cemetery. Civil War generals and former pro football player Rick Arrington are buried on these grounds. In the show, the cemetery's name remains the same.
Covington, Ga,. has served as a filming location for many of your favorite films and TV shows.
Located just 35 miles east of Atlanta, the quaint and beautiful Covington has served as a backdrop to many of your favorite movies and TV shows. Some notable titles include Ava Du Vernay's Selma, The Walking Dead's pilot episode, Reese Witherspoon's Sweet Home Alabama, Madea's Family Reunion, and Netflix's Dumplin'.
Season 1–3 of Sweet Magnolias are now available for streaming on Netflix.