Sweet Serenity, indeed, Magnolia lovers!
(Warning: Spoilers ahead!)
Eventually both couples broke up, but that wasn’t the instigator for Helen and Erik getting together.
Dion Johnstone as Erik Whitley and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur in episode 406.
Will she and Cal and the family be able to make long-distance work?
Will they all move?
And is Maddie’s dream job really all its cracked up to be?
Justin Bruening as Cal Maddox and JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend in episode 402.
Grab a margarita (or a milkshake) and read on.
Justin Bruening as Cal Maddox and JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend in episode 402.
What was the reason behind that decision?
Lorraine Rodriguez-Reyes as Beatriz Barrera, Sean Benum as Bailey O’Connor, Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, Anneliese Judge as Annie Sullivan, Brandon Quinn as Ronnie Sullivan, Luray Cooper as Skeeter Ramsey, Justin Bruening as Cal Maddox, JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend, Ella Grace Helton as Katie Townsend and Caroline Lagerfelt as Paula Vreeland in episode 405.
They’re still together?
Cal and Maddie are not only engaged, but they get married by the second episode.
Were you worried that fans would be disappointed not to see a Cal and Maddie engagement?
Dion Johnstone as Erik Whitley and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur in episode 408.
That was definitely a surprise, and it made the Halloween episode so fun.
How did you decide on that?
We wanted to do a wedding, but not a classic wedding.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend and Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan in episode 406.
So we were like, “How can we shake this up?”
People in the writer’s room were like, “It’s a surprise.”
It’s not always summer in Serenity.
Brooke Elliott as “Danger Sue” Sullivan and Brandon Quinn as “Rowdy” Ronnie Sullivan in episode 407.
It elevates emotions, because everybody wants everything to be special while you’re celebrating.
In between Halloween and Thanksgiving, Serenity gets hit by a massive hurricane.
How did that scene come together?
Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, Heather Headley as Helen Decatur and JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend in episode 410.
Since that’s the midpoint of the season, we wanted something huge.
With that said, we wanted Erik to rescue Helen, but for her to also rescue him.
And our director and my co-EP were like, “Let’s go for it.”
Jon Briddell as Jimmy Sinclair, Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan, Brandon Quinn as Ronnie Sullivan and Caroline Lagerfelt as Paula Vreeland in episode 410.
It was a long and cold night, but it was a beautiful night.
That kiss was so fantastic.
So when he first sees the car, is she in it?
So, “Stand By Me” was perfect.
Dion Johnstone as Erik Whitley and Heather Headley as Helen Decatur in episode 408.
When Helen eventually tells Dana Sue and Maddie, it’s the most incredible scene.
The way Heather Headley delivers that monologue, it felt like we all went to church.
[Laughs]
Amen.
She’s held this in.
We were like, “Seize the moment.
Tell them the story in a way they will never forget.”
And Heather Headley did Heather Headley magic.
I remember weeping during the first take because I was laughing so hard.
And then she went back in and did it again!
I was like, “Yeah, it was perfection.”
But also, the way the other two played off her.
They’re making it even better, because they’re so into it.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher as Maddie Townsend and Brooke Elliott as Dana Sue Sullivan in episode 406.
It was so good.
And then, we get Danger Sue and Rowdy Rowdy, followed by the community theater cooking class!
It was so much fun to watch.
It was about having the six of them have fun together and come together in an unexpected way.
So they just pushed it.
We had a lot of fun settling in on the characters.
Brooke Elliott as Danger Sue Sullivan and Brandon Quinn as Rowdy Ronnie Sullivan in episode 407.
In episode 10, Helen and Erik get engaged, and it’s beautiful and romantic.
They admit it’s fast, and that’s why they plan on a long engagement.
They also talk about children of the heart, which could mean various things.
So, if we get a season five, what can you say about their storyline going forward?
If we get a season five, I think that’ll be a major point of discussion.
Falling in love later in life doesn’t mean it’s issue free.
It’s just different issues.
That’s a big part of Serenitythat you are never alone.
But could you really see taking that character to New York?
Is that something you’ve even thought about?
I’m a Navy kid, and my dad was gone a lot.
And as a TV writer/producer, I was away from my kids a lot.
But only God and Netflix know if [season five is] going to happen.
Well, hopefully it’s a renewal.
Meanwhile, there are some fun Easter eggs in the finale.
And then executive producer Dan Paulson makes another appearance this season, serving up latkes at the festival.
Dan is our good luck charm.
He makes a cameo in the season finale every season.
Because it was the Winter Festival, I said, “How about we have you serving latkes?”
That’s what we’re going for.
Because it’s not impossible.
We have to put in the work and love our neighbors.
Finally, I can’t let you go without asking about Paula’s boyfriend, Jimmy.
He and his three businessmen pledge to save Serenity from financial issues.
Is this guy for real?
