Very Sad News: Todd Chrisley’s New Solo Show About His Prison Experience — What You Need to Know

Todd Chrisley has never been a stranger to controversy, but his latest announcement may mark the most emotionally charged chapter of his public life yet. The Chrisley Knows Best patriarch is once again commanding headlines after revealing plans for a new television project inspired by his time behind bars — a deeply personal, and potentially divisive, solo venture that could redefine his reality TV legacy.

For years, Todd and Julie Chrisley built a brand rooted in sharp wit, lavish lifestyles, and a tightly choreographed image of family unity. That image was shattered by their high-profile convictions and subsequent prison sentences, followed by an extraordinary release that returned them to the public eye under a cloud of scrutiny. Now, with the past still looming large, Todd appears ready to tell his side of the story — alone.

A story born from incarceration

According to Todd, the idea for the new show began forming during his incarceration, a period he has repeatedly described as traumatic, eye-opening, and transformative. Speaking candidly on several podcasts since his release, including The Cast Collective and Locked In with Ian Bick, Todd has offered unsettling glimpses into prison life — from the shock of his first day to the emotional toll of confinement.

He has recalled walking into prison carrying $1,000 in cash, a habit instilled by his father, only to have it confiscated and placed into a trust account. He has laughed — and cringed — at his early confusion over prison laundry systems, famously asking fellow inmates where to send his clothes for dry cleaning, a moment that reportedly ended in laughter and humiliation. Eventually, he adapted, even hiring other inmates to wash his clothes, a small but telling detail that underscored just how foreign prison life was to him.

Todd has also spoken openly about entering prison with a Bible in hand and an unshakable belief that his experience would one day serve a greater purpose. Now, he says, that purpose is becoming reality.

An animated confessional

Perhaps the most surprising detail is the format of Todd’s proposed project. Rather than a traditional docuseries, Todd has revealed he is developing an animated show based on his prison experience — one he claims to have written himself in full. The series is expected to exaggerate certain events while remaining rooted in what Todd describes as emotional truth.

The project, which reportedly draws heavily on his time at the Pensacola facility, will explore prison hierarchies, daily survival, unlikely friendships, and moments of dark humor. Todd has hinted at creating distinctive characters inspired by people he met inside, including one character with a lisp, suggesting a blend of satire, commentary, and personal reflection.

While no release date has been confirmed, sources indicate the show could move into production later this year, depending on network interest.

A solo spotlight — and a risky one

What has fueled even greater speculation is the apparent absence of Julie Chrisley from the project. While the couple recently returned to television together in Lifetime’s The Chrisleys Back to Reality, insiders suggest Julie may be reluctant to dive back into the spotlight so soon.

“Julie endured prison; Todd wants to talk about it,” one source close to the family claims. “Todd thrives on storytelling and attention. Julie is focused on healing.”

If true, Todd’s solo move would represent a dramatic departure from the formula that made Chrisley Knows Best a hit. Gone would be the marital banter, the family-wide confessionals, and the carefully curated image of Southern perfection. In its place would be Todd — unfiltered, unapologetic, and firmly in control of the narrative.

Control, redemption, and controversy

Those familiar with the project say Todd sees the show not as an apology tour, but as a redemption story. He reportedly intends to explore what he believes were failures of the justice system, the emotional impact of incarceration, and how faith sustained him through it all. Notably, insiders insist Todd has no intention of publicly accepting guilt — a stance that could polarize audiences further.

The show is expected to balance vulnerability with Todd’s trademark humor, a combination he believes is key to keeping viewers engaged without sinking into darkness. Prison, in Todd’s vision, becomes the backdrop for resilience rather than punishment.

Family fractures and shifting loyalties

Adding another layer of complexity are Todd’s evolving relationships with his children. While Savannah Chrisley has remained fiercely loyal — even publicly pleading with the Trump administration for her parents’ freedom — others, including Lindsie, have kept their distance.

A solo project would allow Todd to address these fractures on his own terms, without negotiating screen time or confronting dissenting perspectives. That autonomy, sources say, is one of the show’s biggest appeals to him.

Will networks take the risk?

From an industry standpoint, Todd Chrisley remains a compelling figure. He is polarizing, recognizable, and endlessly discussed — qualities that television executives rarely ignore. Still, the challenge lies in tone. Too defensive, and the show could alienate viewers. Too vulnerable, and it may clash with the bravado that defined Todd’s on-screen persona.

Yet Todd is reportedly confident. He believes audiences want to hear his version of events — and that he is the best person to tell it.

Going solo may be Todd Chrisley’s boldest gamble yet. But if there’s one thing his career has proven, it’s that he has never been afraid to bet on himself — even when the stakes are painfully high.