Helen Decatur is busy with Sweet Magnolias this season. She helped the mayor’s budget and tried to save the town she loved.
But, not only that. She seemed happier when Helen chased her dreams and realized she still loved Erik.
TV Fanatic has the opportunity to chat with Heather Headley, like catching up with an old friend. She discussed the rescue scene filmed in the rain with Dion Johnstone, which was the reason for getting along better with Erik for the second time.
Headley also shared some storyline arcs that she hopes to see and sing in the series again in the potential season five.
Check out the interview below.
Glad to see you again, Heather. You all have different roles this season. How did you like Helen as Mayor’s City Manager?
She didn’t like it at first, but did it for the sake of the town. Helen, as we all know, likes tranquility. I watched some episodes a few weeks ago when they sent us the show, remembering why Helen was still quiet and why she loved it so much that it was her town.
Her fight with Page was because budget constraints forced them to make tough decisions. She accepted it because she loved that town so much and because that town was there in the past.
She knew she might be the best candidate for the interim town manager position. Although she wasn’t crazy about it, she was in that town.
What triggered Helen and others to pursue their dreams more actively this season?
Laura, when we are older, there is a point in our lives. We try to find out our passion and purpose. It’s about what we’re working on.
In your 20s and 30s, you are building your foundation and when you hit your 40s and are approaching your 50s, you often feel like you have limited time. Time is short and you have to do these things.
In Sweet Magnolia Season 4, these women are portrayed as knowing their dreams, determined to realize their dreams, and knowing that they must not delay. You will see Maddie. You’ll see Dana Sue and her kitchen ideas.
They were a little hesitant: Should I do this? Do I have time? Do I have money? Ultimately, they realize that they should follow their dreams. This is a great lesson for all of us.
I was once told that procrastination is offensive to God because it means that when you don’t know, tomorrow will have tomorrow. This is somewhat rude. So they say, keep grabbing your tree and say yes. So, I think that’s part of it.
Absolutely. And you know I’m a big fan of Helen and Eric. So we have to discuss Eric’s rescue of Helen and the passionate rain kiss from that storm. What kind of movie is that?
(laugh) Laura, they give us two episodes at a time, so two weeks in advance. We sat next to me and I started reading it. I was shocked. I have a feeling that everyone insists and we need them together.
Sheryl Anderson and I have said before that I told her last season that I felt he needed to rescue her from something. It has to be like a blizzard and it has to fall.
I remember mentioning this to her. Then she said to me, “There will be a storm and Erik will rescue her.”
I forgot. So I got the script, read this stuff, and thought this rain scene was fun. But then I remember thinking, “Oh, I have to do that.” I don’t like the cold. I don’t want to be wet all night. This will be crazy.
This is the first time we have done something like this, so it is done carefully in caring and loving. I remember it was late at night and it was raining. We were cold, but they made us warm.
We have clothing. People have blankets and warm things to achieve this. I thank them because the crew, wardrobe, makeup and hair also surpassed my hair.
I remember talking about how water curls my hair and all of this stuff. Dion Johnstone was wet for three hours.
Yes, he looks hot.
He has been wet for three hours and has to be about 40 degrees. They are blowing water at us. But, we know that it will be a beautiful scene under the care of our resident director Norman Buckley. It’s the perfect scene, and these two are the right reunion.
Needless to say, it wasn’t until a long time later that I saw everything happening, but I was happy with it. It looks great, I think women will be in a coma.
I did it. The kiss was very hot.
((laugh) Women will fall into a coma. I think these women will go outside, pick up chainsaws, try to cut down trees in the car and save me. It’s a sweet scene. It’s tough because of the cold, rainy, wet and everything else. But it’s very interesting. It’s easy for everyone to do.
Why did you have a stronger relationship with Eric this time?
This is a good question. I’ve discussed it with the writers and explained why this time was their time and whether anyone would mess it up.
People disagree with Helen’s choice of Ryan on Eric last season. They sent me messages and they were frustrated. Some of them are my mothers. Many people are upset by this choice.
But I remember telling the writing team that Helen doesn’t need to choose Eric yet. She needs to go with Ryan. I know this is controversial. Maybe you are not satisfied with waiting for yourself, Laura? But this is a deal.
We need to see her and Ryan during this time. You know how these things sometimes come about. You always think about what we can be together in your mind.
Helen needs to remove the slate. Even though she explored this with Ryan, she had all these thoughts and questions.
So I think Erik and Helen are stronger this time. They spent a year nailing each other and leaving the way they were separated. Even Erik needs to leave, be with the others and figure out you’re not that. Still Helen.
I think they live long this time. Hopefully no one will mess with it.
If we get season 5, will we see the wedding?
If you get season 5, you’ll see the wedding. I have no doubts. All other girls have weddings. Why shouldn’t Helen?
It should be very big. I told them that if Helen had a wedding, she would be in front of the church and her train was still in the car.
[laughs] I like it.
Maddie and Dana Sue should still be trying to get it out in the car, she should roll in front of the church. So, yes, two other girls attended the wedding. I hope she can get one too. We will see a happy ending.
What else do you want to see Helen in the potential season 5?
There are many. It will be interesting to learn more about why Helen stayed and the history of Helen’s family.
We need to know a little bit about why she stayed like mom Bev Decatur (Janet Hubert). Her father is dead. What brought Helen back to tranquility?
If Season 5 shows the wedding, that would be ready for it, and for Helen, there was nothing easy, so there would be drama.
If you think about it, Laura, all the tranquility has been waiting for Helen to get married. She is a single debris to some extent.
Maddie now has two weddings. Dana Sue has a wedding, breakup, divorce and vows update. She is another Mulan. She is getting married, the town wants to come to celebrate and all the drama that could bring, which will be a big deal.
I don’t necessarily need to see Helen with the kids. I always say that because there are some women in our world who don’t have the talent to have children. But they are great aunts and great godmothers.
This would be a good example of someone who wants to implement these children, or the godmother of these children.
I don’t think she wants to be mayor, but she will accept something. She may run some company or buy something else. It’s time to buy something else. She would buy an angle therapy center and buy something else.
It would be a great season for her. I like dramas. It’s too bad, but I never want Helen to settle because like drama, I tell them not to lower the water and shake it.
So, I suggest to give her something to do whenever she settles. Let her have some problems. Yes, hopefully she will be blessed with some drama.
I like it. Before we finish, I want to say I like to hear you sing again.
Oh, thank you. This is a good singing. Brooke Elliot sang this year and she sounded pretty. I remember browsing the script again, it was Christmas.
I know we’ll end with Christmas and I just feel someone singing, it’s not Joanna Garcia Swisher.
We hope it wouldn’t be Joanna and Brooke already singing, so I think I’ve gotten up. This is very interesting.
I love Christmas, I want to record a Christmas album. I hope to make one this year. It’s a pleasure to sing Christmas songs on the show again.
It was fun, the June pregnancy, her childbirth and the whole place became even more fun.
It’s always a pleasure to talk to you, so thank you very much for your precious time. I’m sure everyone will enjoy this season and the Helen and Eric fans will be very happy with my leadership.
I know. I’m happy for them.
I am happy for me.
It’s a three to four seasons overdue, so I’m very happy. It will be very interesting. We’ll see what people say. As I said, they weren’t happy with me last season. So, hopefully, this year, they will be happier.
OK, thank you for your support for the show. We are always grateful.
Sweet Magnolias Season 4 is streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews from Dion Johnstone and Anneliese Judge.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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