Willie and Korie Robertson, the original stars of the popular reality show ‘Duck Dynasty,’ have returned to the spotlight with their adult children for the revival series ‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival.’ In an interview with Fox News Digital, the couple spoke about how their faith guided them in this new chapter, while also honoring the legacy of their late patriarch, Phil Robertson. They emphasized that their children, who were teenagers during the original show, have not been negatively affected by fame, as evidenced by their active participation in the revival. The family, which includes John Luke, Sadie, Will, Bella, and Rebecca, along with their seven grandchildren, shares a renewed sense of purpose, particularly in light of Phil’s passing.
The couple reflected on how Phil’s strong faith not only kept their family united but also led to the creation of the Duck Commander hunting company, which became the foundation of their business empire. They expressed gratitude for the legacy left by Phil and Miss Kay, and their commitment to continuing to carry forward his devotion to faith. Willie and Korie admitted that reviving their on-camera lives was based on a careful, faith-filled decision. They mentioned that returning to television just shy of 10 years later meant confronting their fears of jumping back into the spotlight with modern pressures, family concerns, and a lot of prayer. They described the experience as exciting yet a little scary, especially with the presence of social media and the constant scrutiny that comes with it.
Korie mentioned that one of their biggest concerns for their adult children and their spouses, many of whom didn’t grow up under the constant glare of television cameras, was ensuring that their personal lives were not overshadowed by the spotlight. They also shared that after the original ‘Duck Dynasty’ ended in 2017, the family fielded plenty of offers for a reboot, but they ultimately turned them down for years. The decision to return to television was prayerful and carefully considered. They spent a lot of time in prayer — individually and as a whole family — asking whether they should do it again. As the answer eventually became unanimous, the entire family signed on, not to recreate the past but to document a new chapter for themselves and their growing family.
The revival series focuses on the next generation of the Robertson family, and several things have changed since the early days of duck calls and camouflage. The family has lost members, and people have aged, so the show has evolved. Willie noted that they’ve also faced the challenges of Phil’s passing, which left them with a mix of sorrow, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. He described how Phil’s life had been a significant factor in keeping the family together and the success of their business. The patriarch, Phil Robertson, died May 25 after battling Alzheimer’s. He was 79. Phil was known for launching the Duck Commander hunting company, which became the focus of his A&E show. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in December 2024. The family told Fox News Digital they felt a mix of sorrow, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose following Phil’s death. Willie mentioned that Phil’s preparation for the disease had helped ease some of the heartbreak. Even in mourning, the Robertsons leaned into what they’d always known best — faith and family. At the center of it all, Willie and Korie said Phil’s unwavering devotion to his faith is the legacy they’ll continue to carry forward and hope future generations follow suit. Korie noted how Phil, who lived down on the river, didn’t own a cell phone or a computer, and how God’s work in his life had brought about a boldness to their faith. The couple emphasized that without Phil, there would never have been a ‘Duck Dynasty’ show or a company. They expressed their appreciation for the legacy left by Phil and Miss Kay and their commitment to carrying it forward for future generations.