In 2012, Duck Dynasty premiered on A&E and introduced the world to the Louisiana-based Robertson family and their multi-million-dollar duck call business.
The reality series, which ran for 11 seasons, quickly became a pop culture phenomenon with an average of 14 million viewers, spin-offs, best-selling books and even a Christmas album — Duck the Halls, naturally.
Fans couldn’t get enough of the bearded, camo-clad, no-nonsense Robertson men (patriarch Phil, his eccentric brother Uncle Si, and sons Willie, Jase, Jep and Alan) and their hijinks (think epic lawn mower races and blowing up a beaver dam with homemade explosives). Filled with humor and heart, each episode ended with the gang gathered around the table for a meal and a prayer with their wives and kids — a nod to their “family, faith and ducks” motto.
Eight years after the original went off the air, the Robertsons are back with Duck Dynasty: The Revival (June 1, 9 p.m. on A&E), which follows Willie, his wife, Korie, their kids and their spouses as they figure out the future of the family biz. Si and Willie’s mom, Miss Kay, are back, but Phil, who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s, isn’t featured. Willie’s brothers Jase and Jep are “sprinkled in,” says Korie, who also notes that their youngest son, Rowdy, 22, is away at college.
“I never thought we’d do this again,” admits Willie, who’s now “semi-retired” and looking for someone to take the reins of Duck Commander. “But I realized people wanted to see what we’re doing.” Adds Korie: “The timing felt right. It’s been fun bringing people into the next part of our life.” The cast talks to Us about their marriages, embarrassing moments and what fans can expect this time around.
Willie & Korie
The couple are happily doting on their eight grandkids while Willie, 53, copes with his parents’ declining health and thinks about who’ll run the duck empire once he officially hangs up his bandana.
Lasting Impression Korie was touched by how much the show affected viewers over the years. “People would come up to us in tears about how it impacted them and how their family sits around the table and has meals together and says a prayer because of our show. We saw how entertainment can move people.”
New Generation Fans will see Willie’s softer side with his grandkids. (On one episode, he takes them golfing while on solo babysitting duty.) “He’s a great granddad,” gushes Korie, 51. “They call him Dubbs. They all have a great relationship with him.”
Parenting Win The couple of 33 years says they were relieved when their children signed on for Duck Dynasty: The Revival. “At one point, we were like, ‘Did we ruin our kids by putting ’em on reality TV as teenagers?’” shares Korie. “Then we were like, ‘The fact that they want to do it again is a good thing.’”
Staying Connected Korie admits juggling marriage and running the family business can be difficult. “There’s not a handbook for it,” she says. Adds Willie: “It can be hard working with your spouse on creative things. You have to be committed and faithful and communicate.”
Bella & Jacob
Bella, who works in the Duck Commander gift shop, opens up about fertility issues and life with her husband.
Sensitive Subject “People comment about us having kids, and we’re like, ‘Trust me, you don’t have to ask,’” says Bella, 22, noting that the decision to open up about their struggle, which they haven’t shared publicly, wasn’t easy. “This is just one of the ways that we are showing up and being our authentic selves.”
Cringe Flashback Bella was 8 when the show began. “Ages eight to 12 are not the most flattering times of life,” she admits, revealing her family sends around an old GIF of her “doing all these karate moves, being silly with crazy eyes.”
No Haters The reality TV vet is a pro at tuning out negative noise. “I’ve grown up and gotten a lot more confident in my decisions,” she says.
Close Quarters The pair — who wed in June 2021 — live across the street from the family compound. “If I run out of eggs, I send Jacob to go steal some from someone’s house,” Bella says. Jacob, 26, adds, “I guess if we had unhealthy relationships, it might not be good!”
Beard Envy “Honestly, if I could grow a big beard, I probably would,” says Jacob, who is the owner of General Vintage Clothing store, “but I don’t have the genetics!”
Rebecca & John Reed
The Me & My boutique owner welcomed her third baby with her musician husband of eight years during filming.
Special Delivery Rebecca, 36, says she was worried about doing the show while balancing being a mom to a newborn. “I was so nervous because my second child was a hard baby,” says Rebecca, “but [Xander] literally is the most chill baby ever.”
The Peacemaker When sibling squabbles come up, Rebecca (who was raised in Taiwan and became part of the Robertson family after Willie and Korie started fostering her in 2004), says they look to their mom. “Korie is the mediator.”
Culture Shock Rebecca says their 6-year-old Zane was initially confused to learn about his heritage. “At first, when we told him he was half Asian, he was so upset. He said, ‘I’m not half Asian, I’m a boy,’” shares Rebecca. “But now he’s very proud of having different cultures.”
To Each Their Own According to John Reed, the family members all have different parenting styles. “We’re the older parents, so I’m sure we’re more lenient,” says the 39-year-old. “We’re like, ‘Hey, if we put underwear and socks on them every day, we’re doing good.’” Adds Rebecca: “Yeah, we’re tired!”
Celebrity Cameos John Reed says you “never know who you’re going to catch” hanging near their neck of the woods. Rebecca once approached a group sitting outside playing music in the dark. “I walked in, and didn’t realize Chris Pratt [was there] — and that’s when he was on Guardians of the Galaxy!”
John Luke & Mary Kate
The camp director and his wife say they won’t let their kids become memes.
On Board Returning for Revival was a no-brainer, says John Luke, 29, who is the owner of Kings Lane Coffee. “We had all moved back into the same neighborhood, and so many of us were working back in the Duck Commander warehouse. We thought, ‘We’re basically doing Duck Dynasty again, so we might as well get it on camera!’”
Humiliating Moment Footage of a loopy John Luke waking up from wisdom teeth surgery went viral in 2013. “The most embarrassing moment of my life was on camera,” he says. “There is no further low for me.”
Parenting Style Mary Kate, 29, says she and John Luke often ask Willie and Korie for advice regarding their kiddos, whom they’re homeschooling. Adds John Luke: “My parents were laissez-faire on most things, but strict about being kind and respectful. We try to do the same for our kids.” (As for filming any of their embarrassing moments? “We don’t want our kids to be a meme.”)
Making It Work The pair will celebrate 10 years of marriage in June. “We’ve faced our fair amount of challenges,” says Mary Kate, “but we try to laugh a lot and enjoy each other.”
Talking Business When it comes to finding Willie’s successor, “I could see myself taking over,” says John Luke. “But my dad didn’t take the CEO job until he was 32, so I have a few years left to decide.”
Hijinks Ahead “Uncle Si is back with all the same shenanigans, but now I’m his partner in crime,” says John Luke. “I think [we’re] partners, he thinks I’m his assistant. We have some big ideas that I think are going to surprise everyone.”
Will & Abby
The Texas-based singer/songwriters visit the family’s homestead as often as possible.
Making It Count Will, 23, and Abby, 22, are based in Dallas and admit they occasionally have FOMO. “They’re all texting in the group chat like, ‘Hey, come over for dinner. Dad’s making burgers,’” Will says. “It just makes it even more special when we do get home.”
Spreading A Message “We’re just so passionate about the Lord, and we want to tell people that,” says Will. Adds Abby: “The Lord has given us this opportunity to share our faith, and if he’s opened that door, then why not share it?”
Baby Talk The couple, who wed in 2023, want kids when the time is right. “We want to be parents really badly, but we want to keep traveling and having fun,” explains Will. (Abby says they want four children.) They’re also open to adopting. “Since I was adopted, it’s something that I think about a lot,” says Will. “I hope we get the opportunity [to do it].”
Family Ties Will says he now has “a great relationship” with his bio mom and is in contact with two of his bio siblings, one of whom was in front of him all along! “I grew up without knowing he was my brother, and then we figured that out years later,” he says.
Succession Thoughts Bella is Will and Abby’s top pick for future Duck Commander CEO. “She’s the most well-rounded,” says Abby.
Sadie & Christian
The podcast host and the personal trainer found out they were expecting their third child the day after they committed to doing the show.
Secret Crush Christian, 27, grew up watching Duck Dynasty and admits he had a thing for his future wife. “I told some people on my baseball team that I was going to marry her,” he says, “and somehow it happened.”
Spiritual Guidance The couple have been seeing a counselor since before their November 2019 wedding. “It is the greatest thing,” says Sadie, 27. “She helps us love each other more.”
Keeping The Faith “We are totally confident sharing our faith,” says Sadie, an inspirational speaker and host of the “WHOA That’s Good” podcast. “We share it in a way that we hope brings hope to other families.” And it does: “The amount of kids we got to meet from Make-A-Wish that would come here as their last wish and tell us how much they found hope through our family’s faith to dive into their own… We just saw it’s so much bigger than a TV show.”
Dream Reality TV Crossover “We watch Shark Tank every night,” says Sadie. “If we could host the Sharks, that would be the coolest thing ever.”
Spoiler Alert Shhhh! Sadie and Christian filmed their gender reveal party for the show. “So we’ve been trying to keep it a secret,” she says.
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