Is Serenity from Sweet Magnolias a real town? Details explored

Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias tells the story of three women, Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen, who have known each other since childhood and have seen the high and low phases of their lives together.

The trio resides in the peaceful town of Serenity, South Carolina, along with several other fascinating characters. Meanwhile, Serenity acts like a character itself, as the town welcomes people with open arms, and most of the drama takes place there.

This makes the audience wonder if Serenity from Sweet Magnolias is a real town. Interestingly, that is not the case. The town is a fictional creation of author Sherryl Woods, whose novel series is being adapted into the Netflix show.

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Serenity from Sweet Magnolias is a fictional town

There is no town named Serenity in South Carolina. Author Sherryl Woods came up with the idea about the town herself and chose it as the base location for all the happenings in the Sweet Magnolias novel series. The town makes its debut in the very first novel, Stealing Home, released in 2007.

However, Serenity is inspired by a real-world place. Woods revealed she took inspiration from Sumter, a city located in South Carolina, to create Serenity. The author said she visits the city quite frequently to meet a family friend. Woods wrote in the introduction section of the first Sweet Magnolias novel:

“Each year as I travel from my home in Key Biscayne, Florida to my family's summer cottage in Colonial Beach, Virginia, I make a stop in Sumter, South Carolina, to visit one of my family's oldest and dearest friends, Donnie Clemons.”

The city of Sumter is named after General Thomas Sumter of the Revolutionary War and was incorporated in 1845. It is known for its rich history, natural beauty, and for housing swans and iris flowers. Like Serenity, Sumter also possesses a community spirit, where several festivals are celebrated throughout the year.

Since Serenity is fictional, the production team actually shoots the series in Covington, Georgia. The city has a low population and has a lot of charm and tranquility, which makes it an ideal place to stand in for Serenity.

Meanwhile, the various spots and businesses located in Serenity are also made up, including Sullivan’s restaurant, The Corner Spa, Collins & Sons Hardware, Piggly Wiggly Pizza, and Dexter's Gym. For example, Sullivan’s is actually the Mystic Grill restaurant located in Covington.

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Serenity’s significance in Sweet Magnolias

Serenity is more than just a town in the show’s narrative. It is a place that signifies friendships, healing, and new beginnings. The small town brings together lifelong friends Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue as they go through problems like divorce, job struggles, and family issues.

Serenity’s close-knit community gives them the support they need to get through tough times. The town’s cozy feel draws the viewers into the trio’s world and makes them feel at home.

Ahead of Sweet Magnolias season 1 premiere in 2020, Norman Buckley, one of the directors, took to Instagram to explain the importance of Serenity in the show. The director said showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson wanted to showcase a town that completely immerses the audience. He wrote:

“#SweetMagnolias is set in a fictional town called Serenity. Sheryl Anderson repeated, throughout the shooting of the show, that it was important that everyone might see themselves in Serenity. I like that idea more than ever these days—Serenity not just as a place, but a state of mind.”

Sweet Magnolias seasons 1 to 4 are streaming on Netflix.