The highly anticipated reboot of โDuck Dynastyโ premieres just days after Phil Robertsonโs death.
On May 25, the Robertson family announced that Phil Robertson died at the age of 79. Prior to his death, the reality star encountered several health challenges, including a neurodegenerative disease and a blood disorder.
In January, A&E announced that the family would be returning to reality TV in a series titled โDuck Dynasty: The Revivalโ later this year. Their original series, โDuck Dynasty,โ ran for 11 seasons on the network and followed the family as they ran their duck-hunting business, Duck Commander, in Louisiana and got into plenty of shenanigans at home.
As viewers prepare to get an update on the Robertson family’s personal and professional lives, many are wondering if they’ll catch one last glimpse of their patriarch, Phil Robertson.
Below, we’re outlining everything you need to know.
Is Phil Robertson in the new ‘Duck Dynasty’ reboot?
Phil Robertson will not be in the new โDuck Dynastyโ reboot.
Several members of the original cast will be featured in the revival series, however, including Willie Robertson and his wife, Korie Robertson. The coupleโs children will also make appearances. โOther favorite family membersโ including Kay Robertson and Uncle Si are expected to be featured on the show.
How does ‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival’ address Phil’s absence?
In the premiere episode of โDuck Dynasty: The Revival,โ Korie and Willie Robertson share a conversation about the current stage of their lives, where theyโre taking care of children, grandchildren and aging parents at the same time.
Korie Robertson reveals that Willieโs mother, Kay Robertson, doesnโt currently live on their property but visits often. She also addresses his father, Phil Robertsonโs, health at the time.
โRecently, Willieโs dad was diagnosed with early Alzheimerโs and itโs been a struggle for all of us. I know he wouldnโt want to admit it, but I definitely think itโs affected Willie and I just think itโs made him think really hard about his own legacy,โ she says in a confessional interview.
During their conversation, Korie Robertson asks her husband how heโs doing and he downplays things, saying, โIโm totally 100% fine.โ
She then acknowledges that itโs โnot very Robertson to talk about your feelings,โ but tells her husband sheโs โproudโ of him for how heโs handling the stress.
What has the Robertson family said about Phil Robertson’s death?
Following his death, Phil Robertson’s family took to social media to pay tribute to his life. His granddaughter, Sadie Robertson, recalled a moment she shared with him before his death.
She started by posting the following Bible verse from the First Epistle to the Corinthians: โTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.โ
Sadie Robertson went on to explain the significance of the verse, writing, โI was sitting with Papaw Phil today, I thought about this verseโฆ he has already experienced this on earth โ going from dead to alive by the power of Christ! It was his testimony that changed his life, our families life, and thousands of others. Now he is experiencing it in the fullness. Fully alive in Christ. The new has come.โ
The reality star ended her post by sharing the following words from her grandfather: โOne of the last things he said to me was โfull strength ahead!โ Amen!โ
After his death, Phil Robertson’s family shared the following post on Facebook: โWe celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.โ
