Why the Duck Dynasty Family Retreated From the Spotlight—and Are Returning on Their Own Terms

Don't call it a comeback, it's a quackback.

Back in 2012, TV audiences were introduced to the Robertsons—patriarch Phil Robertson, his wife Kay Robertson, their sons Willie Robertson, Jep Robertson and Jase Robertson and their various spouses and ducklings—when Duck Dynasty premiered on A&E, going onto become one of TV's most successful reality series. But, after five years, 11 seasons and a reported $1.4 million-per-season payday for the tight-knight crew, the family were ready to lay low in Louisiana, ending the show in 2017 and retreating from the public eye.

"It was a whirlwind and it was fun because we were getting to do it as a family," Korie Robertson, who is married to Willie, told E! News' Francesca Amiker in an exclusive interview. "But it did feel like it was time for us to pull everything back."

As a friend once put it, Korie, 49, explained, life is like an accordion and "it needs to go out and it needs to come back in to make the music."

And, after five years living life in the spotlight, they were all ready to go solo.

"We're all dreamers and doers," Sadie Robertson, one of Willie and Korie's six children, said. "And we like to do new things and having the time of those years to do that was awesome."

For Sadie, that was writing a bestselling book, creating a podcast and starting her own family with husband Christian Huff.

"We've grown into who we are all as individuals, what we're all passionate about and that might not have happened if we were still doing the same thing," the 26-year-old explained. "So it's fun to get through new things in life and start new things and see where that grows and takes us and now we'll see what the future holds."

Right now, it includes a return to the spotlight, thanks to the upcoming release of The Blind, a biopic centered around Phil's younger years living in Louisiana during the 1960s. The film doesn't hold back, addressing the Duck Commander creator's past struggles with alcoholism, as well as the toll his infidelity took on his marriage to Kay before he turned his life around. 

And, back in 2020, Phil discovered that he fathered a daughter from an affair he had decades ago. After a DNA tested showed he was a 99.9 percent match with Phyllis Thomas, the family welcomed her into the fold.

While Sadie acknowledged it was "really hard" to watch the film and learn things she never knew about her grandparents, she found the message that "there's no one that's without hope" inspiring.

Reliving Phil and Kay's story was "emotional," Korie added, but the family handled the film the way they've faced everything that's come their way: Together and not caring about what others may think, a skill they honed during the show's five-year run.

"We always go back to, 'Okay, what is most important?'" Korie explained. "'Who do we care about?' Those who really knows us and that's who you really have to listen to. It's people that you sit across the table from whose opinion really matters. We try to live our life that way."

Sadie commended her parents for helping her and her siblings "create good boundaries," which led to Sadie taking a seven-month break from social media earlier this year. 

"Sometimes you do have to step away and it was so good," she said. "Now I'm back on with a fresh perspective and rooted in my people."

Not that tuning out the negativity is easy.

"It is hard pill to swallow," Sadie admitted. "You do have to create those boundaries for yourself to say, 'I'm not just gonna keep getting beat up by this. I'm going to take a minute, I'm going to get stronger and I'm going to come back with the right voices in that ear."

With The Blind's upcoming release and the family starting their production company, viewers may just get to see the Robertsons back on TV on their own terms.

"We feel that the entertainment needs more positivity," Korie shared. "Things that are hopeful, that are light and that point towards faith. We want to do more of that and if that looks like us coming back to unscripted TV? Maybe, we'll see!"

Keep reading to see family moments with Phil and Phyllis:

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson discovered in 2020 that he fathered a daughter named Phyllis from an affair he had decades ago, leading him to reconnect with his lost child and take her duck hunting.

"So thankful God brought us together after all these years," Phyllis wrote on her Instagram that November. "His timing is perfect, and every day and new experience is a gift."

"This day ended my first duck season with a great hunt," Phyllis captioned this January 2021 snapshot. "And this day one year ago marks the beginning of my life with my real dad after learning paternity tests came back positive. Positive. Have there been ups and downs on this crazy ride? Yes. But we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose -Romans 8:28. I'm so very thankful this day and this one year anniversary ended on a positive note."

Phil and his wife Kay "Miss Kay" Robertson invited Phyllis and her husband to celebrate Easter with their side of the family—including his brother Si Robertson—in 2021. 

Phil taught Phyllis how to make mayhaw jelly in May 2021.

Phyllis celebrated her first Father's Day with Phil in 2021.

"Dad taught me how to make crawfish au gratin," she wrote on Instagram. "Delicious and memorable Father's Day, the first one I've ever spent with him."

Phyllis rang in Christmas 2021 with Phil and Miss Kay, as well as their adult kids Al Robertson, Jase Robertson, Willie Robertson and Jep Robertson.

The Robertson family went duck hunting in November 2022.

"That's a wrap! From NE Louisiana to SE Kansas, duck season 2022-23 is in the books," Phyllis wrote in February 2022. "Loved spending time with my dad and family and friends. We had theological discussions and enjoyed the wonder of nature. I built some new skills, helped with a missions fundraiser, and shared the Gospel. And we whacked and stacked some waterfowl! I'd call that a successful season."

"We wish you a joyous Easter as we celebrate the miracle of the resurrection, our hope in Jesus, and the promise of what's to come," Phil wrote on Instagram in April 2023. "We pray that our story is your story—that you'll find light and hope in the living Savior. Happy Easter from our family to yours!"

The Blind hits theaters on Sept. 28.