Anneliese Judge Discusses Ty and Annie’s Romance in Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias

Regarding the long-awaited romance between Annie and Ty in Sweet Magnolias, Anneliese Judge expresses sentiments that mirror her character’s feelings.

“In episode 1, Annie has a line where she says, ‘About damn time.’ That’s exactly how I feel,” Judge, 23, shared exclusively with Us Weekly, laughing as she discussed the show’s fourth season. “The writers are incredibly skilled at building romance, and they captured the perfect moment for this storyline. It’s such an exhilarating experience, and I can’t wait to see how the fans react. I believe it will genuinely surprise them.”

After years of flirting, childhood best friends Annie (Judge) and Ty (Carson Rowland) finally confessed their feelings during a Halloween party in the first episode of the fourth season, which premiered on February 6. While some fans were anxious about more “will they or won’t they” drama, the couple’s love story unfolded swiftly with a passionate kiss, leaving ten episodes for them to navigate their new relationship.

As Ty and Annie adapt to their new romance, Judge noted that her rapport with Rowland made it easier for them as actors to transition smoothly into their characters’ evolving dynamics.

“Carson and I share a strong friendship, which definitely played a role,” Judge shared. “It was artistically enjoyable to delve into this new aspect of our characters, and I valued the mutual trust we had in delivering our roles authentically.”

Judge revealed that both she and Rowland are enthusiastic supporters of their characters, affectionately referred to as TyAnnie by fans, and were committed to honoring the couple’s story after such a long buildup. Ultimately, Judge feels proud of what they presented.

“I take great pride in this season for many reasons,” she remarked, “especially in how we approached that relationship and the rapid developments.”

The pair enjoyed their blossoming romance for a few episodes until Ty departed on tour with his band later in the season. While Annie supported her boyfriend’s ambitions, she found it difficult to say goodbye. For Judge, it was essential to illustrate Annie’s growth from her previous relationship with Jackson (Sam Ashby), learning that life isn’t always “sunshine and rainbows.”

“You have to continuously stand by the people you love,” she explained, highlighting the scene where Annie breaks down in tears after Ty announces his departure. “In that moment, it was vital for her to be supportive, reflecting how she would want him to be for her, especially as she has her own aspirations of attending photography school. The future is unclear for her, and it wouldn’t be fair to withhold support from someone she cares about while expecting that in return.”

“Annie has transformed into a truly compassionate, empathetic, kind individual,” she continued. “While she had those qualities before, they are more prominent this season, showcasing her growth. That moment intentionally mirrors a scene from season one where she questions, ‘Did I finally get what I wanted, only for it to be taken away?’”

As the season progressed, Annie faced uncertainties when she learned she had been accepted into her dream school in California. Despite being Ty’s biggest supporter in his music career, his reaction to her plans was unexpectedly lukewarm. In the season finale, it was revealed that he hoped she would accompany him on his European tour, an invitation she ultimately declined.

“It never occurred to her that pursuing college would create hurdles for them,” she reflected. “She attended his concert and expressed, ‘This isn’t my band, but I’m simply happy to be here.’ I feel she’s a solid foundation for everyone around her, so discovering that Ty might not reciprocate her support was shocking for both her and me.”

Judge recognized that Ty and Annie’s conflict resonates with typical “teenage relationship” dynamics, noting that Ty didn’t harbor any “malicious” intent. Nonetheless, Annie’s decision is one she wholeheartedly supports.

“I felt immense pride for her standing up for herself and her beliefs,” she shared with Us, acknowledging the influence of her Mini Magnolia friends CeCe (Harlan Drum) and Lily (Artemis), along with her mother, Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott), who helped Annie find her voice. “Without their encouragement, I doubt she would have found the courage to declare, ‘This is what I truly want,’ and to pursue it.”

Season 4 introduces a significantly evolved version of Annie. The series’ first time jump, a full year since the end of season 3, allows Judge to portray a more mature character who has solidified her friendships before entering her senior year of high school.

“For her, there’s a genuine sense of joy and relief, and she faces new challenges that push her to be more self-aware and vulnerable than ever,” Judge shared with Us. “I approached this season with a sense of freedom and openness to experience.”

Annie’s growth prompted Judge to reflect on her journey in her early 20s, revealing, “I am still navigating similar experiences as Annie, making this role feel particularly special and intimate for me.”

While Annie is clear about her aspirations, the future remains uncertain. With Ty heading to Europe and Annie advancing toward her California dreams, fans are left wondering what lies ahead. Judge expressed optimism that they could make it work — maybe she could join him during the summer while he visits her in the fall after completing the tour? However, answers hinge on a potential season 5, which has not yet been confirmed by Netflix.

“I’m uncertain [about their future]. I truly hope so,” Judge stated, adding, “I am keenly interested in whether we’ll be renewed for another season. The cliffhanger leaves me, like viewers, on the edge of my seat, wondering what’s next! We’ll have to wait and see.”

Currently, Judge remains hopeful for season 5, expressing her willingness to reprise her role as long as Netflix and showrunner Sheryl J. Anderson will have her.

“This has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she expressed. “As long as I can collaborate with this incredible team on this show, I’m thrilled to do so.”

As she awaits news on season 5, Judge is embracing new projects. Inspired by her experience at the Sundance Film Festival, she hopes to star in a feature film while managing her online book club, Who to Judge?, a community dedicated to discovering new stories and perspectives at one’s own pace. The latest book is Sheryl Woods’ first Sweet Magnolias installment, Stealing Home, and Judge aims to engage fans with author interviews, cast cameos, and more.

“[Harlan and Artemis] from the Mini Mags are joining me for some exciting videos in February,” Judge shared with Us. “We’re excited to create a fun month filled with Sweet Magnolias themes and some delicious recipes from the cookbook.”

Sweet Magnolias is currently available for streaming on Netflix.