Phil Robertson's 'Duck Dynasty' Suspension Lifted
Duck Dynasty fans can now breathe easy. After a short suspension, Phil Robertson has been reinstated as an official cast member on the hit A&E series and will resume filming with the cast in the new year.
In a statement released on Friday, A&E announced that they had spoken with the cast and would begin filming in the spring "with the entire Robertson family."
"Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family ... a family that America has come to love," the statement read. "While Phil's comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the 'coarse language' he used and the misinterpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would 'never incite or encourage hate.'"
In response to the news, the Robertson family is reportedly thrilled to move on from the controversy they have experienced in recent weeks.
"The family is happy that they can put this behind them," a source told PEOPLE Magazine. "It got a little out of hand. Phil has never been disrespectful to anyone and treats everyone with kindness. He made some comments off the cuff that he shouldn't have made, and he knows that."
"The family knows his heart and knows that he wasn't trying to be hurtful," the source continued. "They just want to finish celebrating the holidays and are looking forward to getting back to work."