“Duck Dynasty” is heading back to A&E, eight years after the hit unscripted series ended its run on the network. The new series, dubbed “Duck Dynasty: The Revival,” has been given a two season, 20 episode and will premiere this summer on A&E.
“The Revival” will center on Korie and Willie Robertson and their adult children and grandchildren, all living on the family’s Louisiana homestead. Per the logline, “With their dynasty expanding into more than just ducks, Willie and Korie will bring their signature humor and family fun as they grapple with mapping out the future of Duck Commander, watching the kids navigate marriage, children and businesses of their own, and passing down the family legacy.”
As part of the announcement, the new “Duck Dynasty” also has new producers: Wheelhouse’s Spoke Studios, which takes over for Gurney Prods. (the company behind the original series). Also producing is Korie and Willie Robertson’s shingle Tread Lively Productions.
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“The Robertsons earned a seat in homes across the country with their unique brand of downhome practicality, southern charm and relatable humor,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive VP/head of programming for A&E and Lifetime. “‘Duck Dynasty’ played a huge part of the success of A&E for many years, and we look forward to reuniting with the Robertsons on the revival.”
At its height during fall 2013, “Duck Dynasty” was averaging as much as 14.6 million viewers in Live+7 ratings. The show ended the 2012-2013 TV season among the year’s top 25 shows, as the reality sitcom attracted more viewers than all but the top 3 scripted comedies on television. It was huge, and remains the most-watched unscripted series ever in cable; it was also a merchandising juggernaut, selling hundreds of millions of dollars in branded products.
But then came controversy. Family patriarch and then-star Phil Robertson (who had founded the Duck Commander brand) made homophobic and racially insensitive comments in a January 2014 GQ magazine interview, earning him a brief suspension by A&E (although the show wasn’t in production at the time). That action caused a backlash with right-leaning media and politicians, including Sarah Palin and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, calling for a network boycott. A&E then quickly reinstated him — sparking more outrage over Robertson’s offensive statements. (At the time, A&E announced it would air public service announcements promoting tolerance.)
After that debacle, “Duck Dynasty” began to see its fortunes decline. The show lost more than half its audience over the course of 2014. By summer 2014, the reality show was down to averaging 6.3 million viewers.
“Duck Dynasty” still continued until 2017, when the show was canceled after 11 seasons; at the time the decision to wrap it up was said to be mutual between the Robertsons and A&E. The show spawned multiple offshoots, including “Jep & Jessica: Growing the Dynasty” and “Going Si-ral” on A&E.
The Robertsons continued to be active in media even after the end of “Duck Dynasty.” That included “Duck Family Treasure” for Fox Nation, and the 2023 film “The Blind,” which Tread Lively produced about the relationship between Phil and Kay Robertson.
According to the network, Phil Robertson won’t be a part of “The Revival,” but Kay “Miss Kay” Robertson and Silas “Uncle Si” Robertson will be, alongside Willie and Korie Robertson. Other family members set to return are John Luke, Sadie, Will, Bella and Rebecca and their families.
“Going back on A&E feels a little like going back home. We’re thankful for all who have followed
along as our family has grown and expanded and can’t wait to get cameras rolling again on all our
new adventures, or perhaps misadventures,” said Willie and Korie Robertson in a joint statement.
Brent Montgomery, Jeb Conroy, Courtney White, Will Nothacker and Gardner Reed are executive
producers for Spoke Studios. Korie Robertson, Willie Robertson, John Luke Robertson and Zach
Dasher are the EPs for Tread Lively, while Elaine Frontain Bryant, Sean Gottlieb and Jonathan
Partridge will executive produce for A&E.
“I was a huge fan of the original ‘Duck Dynasty’ and thought it was the best reality sitcom of all time, so I jumped at the chance to work with Willie and Korie,” said Wheelhouse CEO and EP Brent Montgomery. “The Robertsons live by a motto of ‘faith, family and fun’ and that will be the heartbeat of what we bring to viewers.”
A+E Networks has the worldwide exclusive distribution rights to the “Duck Dynasty” TV franchise, including “The Revival.” The company said it plans to find a “major streaming service” to pick up the second window of “The Revival” to post after the end of each season.
The Robertson Family and Tread Lively are repped by Gersh, as well as Skrzyniarz & Mallean.