TLDR: Swamp People is really a show about a few Louisiana families who share the same water, and season 17 (January 7 to April 15, 2026) kept that tradition going. Here is who hunts with whom, who has passed away, and the spots where the sources disagree. Checked October 27, 2026.
Anyone who has watched Swamp People for more than a season or two knows the problem. The same last names keep showing up on different boats, and a new face is usually somebody’s grandson.
HISTORY’s cast page now runs to 43 names, and 18 of them carry a season 17 tag. Let’s sort out the crews.
The Landrys Are Still the Center of the Show
Troy Landry has been the face of the series since 2010, and his sons Jacob and Chase have both been part of it. You can read Troy’s full story and family tree separately.
HISTORY says Jacob fishes with Don Brewer as a deckhand in season 17. TV Insider has him running a separate boat with Little Willie, so the crew list depends on which one you read.
Chase is trickier still. HISTORY lists him for season 17 and says he harvests sinker cypress logs, and TV Insider has him helping Troy on a fishing trip in the February 4 episode.
Wikipedia lists him as a former cast member, so we are not going to tell you he left.
The Edgars Bring Three Generations Aboard
HISTORY calls Daniel Edgar the “Creole Patriarch” and says he owns a seafood company. His grandson Dorien joined him on the boat.
TV Insider reports that Joey Edgar brought his daughter along in season 16. Her name is spelled both Callie and Kallie depending on the outlet.
The Edwards Family Has Had a Hard Stretch
Willie Edwards is on the season 17 list with his son Little Willie. Willie’s father, Junior Edwards, died on July 26, 2025, according to TV Insider.
We have not found a published cause, so we are not guessing at one. Our earlier piece on Randy Edwards covers another member of the family.
Older articles about Willie online disagree about how long he was away and who is still on the show. Our own Willie Edwards article is being reviewed for exactly that reason.
Pickle Wheat and Bruce Mitchell Run Their Own Crews
Pickle comes from a St. Bernard Parish gator-hunting family, and HISTORY says her relatives run a business making duck and turkey calls. Her profile has more.
She is not a Landry, though the show’s executive producer talks about a father and daughter bond with Troy. Troy has three sons, which makes the nickname easy to misread.
Bruce Mitchell hunts out of Hammond with deckhand Anna Ribbeck, per HISTORY. His long run on the show, with a couple of gaps, is covered in what happened to Bruce.
Other Crews Worth Knowing
Season 17 also features Ronnie Adams and Timmy Aucoin, and Leron Jones and Anthony “Porkchop” Williams from Vacherie. Zak Catchem is back as well, though TV Insider spells his surname Cathmen.
Troy’s nephew Calum is hunting with Don Brewer this season.
Who Has Passed Away
Mitchell Guist died on May 14, 2012, according to Wikipedia, which cites the Associated Press. Glenn Guist is on the cast page too, and has his own article.
Junior Edwards is the most recent loss we could source. For the longer list, see who has died on Swamp People, and for one early departure, what happened to Big T.
The Spinoffs Reuse Familiar Faces
Outback Hunters premiered on October 21, 2012 and took the format to Australia. Swamp Mysteries With Troy Landry ran six episodes between June 7 and July 12, 2018.
The longest-running branch is Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, which sent Troy and company to the Florida Everglades for five seasons.
Season 18 Has Not Been Announced
Season 17 took a break in February for the Winter Olympics and returned on February 18, according to TV Insider. As of October 27, 2026, no renewal or cancellation has been reported.
While you wait, things you may not know about Swamp People is a good way to fill the time.
Swamp People Cast Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are on the Swamp People cast?
HISTORY’s cast page lists 43 names, and 18 of them carry a season 17 tag.
Is Pickle related to Troy Landry?
No. She comes from a St. Bernard Parish family, and the producers describe a father and daughter bond with Troy.
Where is Swamp People filmed?
In the Louisiana bayous. Troy Landry is from Pierre Part.
Has Swamp People been renewed for season 18?
No announcement had been reported as of October 27, 2026.
