'Sweet Magnolias': Bill gets slammed for cheating on wife Maddie, fans say he can 'f**k the hell off'

Bill basically destroys his marriage and family after sleeping with his much younger assistant and getting her pregnant. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he isn't a fan favorite
PUBLISHED MAY 20, 2020
'Sweet Magnolias' (Netflix)
'Sweet Magnolias' (Netflix)

Chris Klein portrays Bill Townsend, Maddie's (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) ex-husband in Netflix's 'Sweet Magnolia' and safe to say, he hasn't won anyone's favor. Bill is quite the character, and as the events in the series transpire, one might even stop to wonder, "What the heck did Maddie even see in him?" He basically destroys his marriage and family after sleeping with his much younger assistant and getting her pregnant. On a whim, he decides he wants to do right by her and leaves his wife and children for his mistress. 

Bill is as daft as they come and makes the worst decisions without even thinking them through. But he justifies his actions by constantly chanting the mantra, "I want to do the right thing" like a broken record. First, he cheated on Maddie, and then he has the audacity to act all hypocritical and victimized after sabotaging his own marriage. He loves his children and that part is evident, but he has a terrible way of showing it. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that no one, literally, no one sympathizes with him in Serenity, neither is he a fan favorite among viewers.

'Sweet Magnolias' (Netflix)

"Maddie's husband is a TRIP! #SweetMagnolias", says one fan, and the description might just be spot on with Bill proving to be a bit of a headache every time he's around. Another said, "Sweet magnolias already got me vex I can’t deal with the entitlement of this man." A third fan lashed out at Bill for being Bill, saying, "Doing the right thing doesn’t mean leaving your wife and three kids for the nurse half your age because you got her pregnant. You should have kept it in your pants!!!! #SweetMagnolias"

This one comment just voiced the opinion of probably everyone in Serenity: "I'm less than a minute in and Bill can f**k the hell off." Some are reveling in the fact that the oldest Townsend kid loathes his father for his transgressions, like this person: "Tyler stay coming for Bill, that’s right child keep your foot on his neck!!!!! But a teenage rebellion storyline makes good tv. #SweetMagnolias"

'Sweet Magnolias' (Netflix)

However, while most don't exactly sympathize with Bill, they do feel for Noreen (Jamie Lynn Spears). "Like don’t f**k a married dude but I do feel bad for Noreen. Bill is putting her in a bad spot. #SweetMagnolias," one viewer commented, while another basically pacified her for being the "other woman." "Awwww, Noreen. You thought a married man, recently divorced with THREE kids was going to drop everything that his kids have to do as well?! #SweetMagnolias", they added. Finally, this tweet accurately sums up Bill's character to the T: "#SweetMagnolias Bill is such a loser."

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Season 2 will see the fate of two couples hang in the balance
1 hour ago
In the latest episode of ‘Outlander’ 8, William's world is shaken when Amaranthus finally admits the truth about her husband Ben
2 hours ago
Season 2 of the 'Dexter' spinoff will also feature Brian Cox as 'The New York Ripper' and Dan Stevens as the 'Five Borough Killer.'
14 hours ago
Season 2 of 'Beef' introduces class conflict as a prominent theme, set against the backdrop of an elite Southern California country club.
15 hours ago
Samira Mohan was a senior resident during Season 2 of 'The Pitt,' but she plans to move into geriatrics once her residency at the hospital is over.
18 hours ago
The psychological drama ‘Husband, Father, Killer,’ highlights the troubling crimes of Steven Pladl which culminated in a triple murder and suicide.
19 hours ago
A post-credits moment in ‘The Pitt’ finale swaps tension for chaos as two doctors blow off steam, ending the heavy season on a surprising note.
23 hours ago
A shocking ER C-section in ‘The Pitt’ Season 2 finale pushes doctors to the edge, bringing realism with risk.
1 day ago
The spin-off show’s fifth season aired a year ago, on April 17, 2025, and ever since there have been no renewal updates.
1 day ago
A tense finale at ‘The Pitt’ brings shocking reveals, emotional goodbyes, and uncertain futures, leaving fans guessing what lies ahead in Season 3.
1 day ago