Always expected the unexpected in Serenity. Sweet Magnolias Season 4 dropped on Netflix on Feb. 6, and the new episodes feature some major twists for Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) and her family. That includes everything from a surprise wedding to the shocking death of one character. In an interview with Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Logan Allen, who plays Maddie’s teenage son Kyle, weighed in on how his character reacted to that unexpected loss.  

[Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Sweet Magnolias Season 4.]

Bill dies in ‘Sweet Magnolias’ Season 4 

Sweet Magnolias Season 4 opens with Maddie’s surprise wedding to her boyfriend Cal (Justin Bruening) – an event she didn’t even warn her two besties Helen (Heather Headley) and Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) was in the works, much to their annoyance. 

But those Halloween party “I do’s” turned out to not be the most shocking season 4 development. That distinction goes to the offscreen demise of Bill Townsend (Chris Klein), Maddie’s ex-husband and the father of her three kids. Bill was also dad to Noreen’s (Jamie Lynn Spears) daughter and the father of Isaac (Chris Medlin), who was the result of a short-lived high school relationship. (Yeah, it’s complicated.) 

While Bill and Maddie’s marriage ended years ago, his death still shakes up the family in a major way. His grieving mother arrives in town, bristling because her son’s will says he wants to be buried in Serenity. Her presence creates some serious tension in Maddie’s home. Plus, Kyle, Ty (Carson Rowland), and Kate (Ella Grace Helton) are all mourning their dad. 

For Kyle, the loss is particularly bittersweet, because he and Bill were finally starting to build a bridge after years of tension. 

“His relationship with his dad was getting better. He was hanging out with him. He wanted to build that relationship, and Bill finally started to try to build it back,” Allen said. 

Kyle helps his family through Bill’s death 

Throughout this season of Sweet Magnolias, Kyle takes on more and more responsibility, whether it’s in his deepening romance with Lily, volunteering to help the town after the hurricane, or stepping up to defend the Serenity library, which is at risk of closure. He’s also there for his older brother, who is hit hard by Bill’s passing. 

“I think Tyler’s reaction to it is very interesting. [Bill’s death] really hurts Tyer, and you see Kyle almost help navigate Ty through that situation,” Allen said. “And it’s beautiful … that’s one of those big moments where it really molds him into the person that he becomes by episode 10.”

Because of Bill’s death, Kyle’s relationship with his mom also becomes “more layered than ever,” Allen said. “You see him kind of hold her hand as well through that situation.”

“His mom’s going through so, so much in such a short period,” he shared. “And I think that you just see him be there for her happiness and support her through everything.”

A wedding and a funeral aren’t the only changes Maddie navigates this season. Season 4 ends with her receiving an unexpected job offer from her book publisher. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but it’s one that would take her away from Serenity. 

Could a move to New York City really be in the cards for Maddie and her kids? Allen says the Big Apple might be the right place for his theater-loving character. 

“I mean, Kyle, he wants to be a Broadway star,” he said. “He loves that. He’s like, ‘Hey, man, that’s my element.’ So I think Kyle is open to change.” 

Sweet Magnolias Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix. 

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