Women of the Week

A lot of our favorite shows have wrapped up for now,  but that doesn’t mean that our Women of the Week picks will be stopping. Thanks to streaming services, summer shows and just discovering shows while we have that extra bit of spare time our hands, we’re staying safe at home and inside with some great entertainment!

Nominated by Ange: Joanna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley as Maddie Townsend, Dana Sue Sullivan and Helen Decatur on Sweet Magnolias (Netflix)

This week Netflix dropped season one of Sweet Magnolias, which is based on the novels by Sherryl Woods. Prior to watching, the show actually wasn’t on my radar – I happened to stumble upon the trailer and was drawn into it for its feel good and Hallmark-esque vibes and the promise of a strong female friendship and boy did it deliver. Garcia Swisher, Elliott and Headley play three life long friends living in a small Southern town. Each are going through hardships but always have time to support each other and have regular margarita nights. Garcia Swisher plays Maddie, mother of three and separated from her husband, a doctor who had an affair with his much younger nurse and knocked her up. Her ex proposed to the other woman and are living together. Elliott plays chef Dana Sue, who is raising her moody teenage daughter on her own after kicking her own husband to the curb after he too cheated on her. Headley plays kick ass attorney Helen, who is single but is rethinking her life choices and wants to have a child.

Sounds heavy? It could easily be, but the supportive nature of these women’s friendship gives the show a light hearted tone while the women juggle family, career and new relationships. It’s this predominantly sweet nature of the show that makes the more dramatic moments all the more powerful. In episode 8, after taking the high road and remaining civil, Maddie finally lashes out at her ex about the end of their marriage and his selfish decisions.  It’s a standout moment by Garcia Swisher in the series and I really hope that the show is renewed for a second season!

Honorable Mention: Jamie Lynn Spears as Noreen Fitzgibbons on Sweet Magnolias (Netflix)

An honorable mention goes to Jamie Lynn Spears, who plays the younger other woman, Noreen. Her character is often clueless and makes you cringe with her choices at times, but she means well. Also in episode 8, Noreen shows that she is more than the seemingly naive character that we all thought she was when she decides to make the tough decision to put herself and her unborn baby first by leaving Bill and town. I underestimated her and didn’t think she’d have the courage to do so. I was impressed by that choice and also the speech she gives to Bill about how she deserves more.

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