The Chrisley family, well-known for their hit reality series Chrisley Knows Best, is making a highly anticipated return to television with a new show titled The Chrisleys: Back to Reality. This marks their first on-screen appearance in two years, following a tumultuous period that saw family patriarch Todd Chrisley and matriarch Julie Chrisley sentenced for tax evasion and bank fraud. Their legal battles concluded with a high-profile presidential pardon from Donald Trump in May 2025, clearing the path for the family to share their story and experiences from an intimate perspective.

Todd and Julie Chrisley were initially sentenced in November 2022 to a combined 19 years in prison for multiple charges, including bank and wire fraud and tax evasion. While their sentences were reduced in 2023 during ongoing appeals, the definitive turning point came when President Donald Trump intervened. During a recorded phone call with the Chrisley children on May 27, 2025, Trump officially announced their pardons, stating, “It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing, because your parents are going to be free and clean.”

Despite their newfound freedom, the transition back to normal life has presented unexpected challenges, as Todd and Julie revealed on the July 23 episode of their “Chrisley Confessions 2.0” podcast. Julie, 52, shared a consensus among former inmates that adjusting to life outside is surprisingly difficult. Todd, 56, elaborated, stating, “Life is rougher than prison life,” from an emotional and psychological standpoint. He acknowledged the horrific physical conditions of incarceration but highlighted the mental simplicity within prison walls, where the scope of responsibility is limited. Julie explained that in prison, you are removed from the world, and focusing on immediate survival becomes paramount. She reflected on the heartbreak of being separated from their children—Savannah, Grayson, Chase, and Chloe—but noted that over time, a survival instinct takes over, making it, in a strange way, easier to cope as routines set in and one focuses on personal well-being. Unlike many, they did not have to go to a halfway house or report to a probation officer, which meant they were immediately "thrown right back into the real world," intensifying their adjustment.

The Chrisleys: Back to Reality is set to premiere as a two-night television event on Lifetime, airing Monday, September 1, and Tuesday, September 2, with each night featuring a two-hour episode starting at 8/7c. Following the premiere, back-to-back episodes will air on Tuesday, September 9, leading up to the season finale on Tuesday, September 16.

The series will feature many familiar faces alongside Todd and Julie, including their children Savannah, Chase, and Grayson, as well as their adopted granddaughter Chloe. Fan-favorite Nanny Faye will also return, contributing her characteristic wit and warmth. For the first time, Julie’s parents, Harvey and Pam, will join the cast. Notably absent from the new project are Todd’s older children from a previous relationship, Lindsie and Kyle Chrisley, who are not participating.

An emotional five-minute trailer, released by Lifetime on July 31, has already stirred considerable anticipation. The preview opens with a poignant phone call between Savannah and her father while he was still incarcerated, during which Todd assures her, “We will get through this. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but at some point, the truth is going to come out.” Savannah candidly shares the family's struggles, stating, “With my parents gone, our household is completely divided. I told my parents, I don’t know if it can ever be repaired, honestly.” Chase also offers insight into the family’s journey, reflecting on the immense popularity of Chrisley Knows Best and the stark contrast between their filmed "happy life" and the concurrent "fed case" they were fighting behind the scenes.

This new series promises to offer an unfiltered look into the Chrisley family’s life post-pardon, exploring their efforts to rebuild and navigate the complexities of their new reality after a period of intense public scrutiny and personal hardship. It aims to provide their perspective on their experiences, their challenges, and their hopes for the future.