This September, USA Network’s favorite Southern family returns to familiar territory. But this time they’re not here to share some pranks and punchlines, they’re here for something much deeper.
Back in 2014, Todd Chrisley, his wife Julie Chrisley, and their five children caught the attention of producer Julia Pons. She found something unique and magnetic about the Chrisley family. Her vision for the family went from a simple “sizzle reel,” quickly to a NATPE-winning reality TV hit that ran for nearly a decade.
For many years, Chrisley Knows Best gave their viewers a front-row seat in their glamourous lifestyle, from large houses, designer clothes, and extravagant outings. From afar they seemed like the perfect family. But in 2022 things really changed, and reality eventually caught up to them.
Todd and Julie Chrisley were found guilty of both bank fraud and tax evasion. Prosecutors revealed the couple had submitted fake documents to secure loans and had hidden their income from the IRS. Todd received a total of 12 years in prison at the Federal Prision Camp Pensacola (FFC Pensacola) in Florida, and Julie with 7 years at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Lexington, Kentucky. Chrisley Knows Best was canceled, and their reputation suffered a huge downfall.
In 2025, the Chrisleys received sentence reductions that changed the timeline completely. After serving just over two years, both Todd and Julie were released from prison following surprise pardons from President Donald Trump. Previously, their sentences were slightly reduced–Todd’s release moved to 2033, and Julie’s was to 2028, but nobody was expecting a full pardon.
Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, had been advocating tirelessly for her parents’ release throughout their time served. Not only was she working behind the scenes for their pardon, but she was also caring for her two younger siblings, Chloe (12) and Grayson (now 19). Ms. Chrisley now has full guardianship over her younger sister Chloe, as she has stepped up enormously to raise Chloe due to her parents’ absence.
Once the pardons were officially announced, Savannah rushed to FFC Pensacola in Florida to pick up her father, and Grayson drove to Kentucky to finally reunite with his mother. The emotional reunions were captured and shown in their new docuseries, The Chrisleys: Back to Reality, which aired on Lifetime and Sling TV.
The family’s new show documents their journey from prison to redemption, offering viewers front row seats to a very different kind of content that they aren’t used to. The show goes in depth on how Savannah managed to get her parents out of prison and what struggles she, and the rest of the family endured during that time.
The Chrisleys are back–and this time, they’re ready to face the past and reveal their truth.
