Captains Sig Hansen and Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand announced on October 8 that they will return to the hit Discovery Channel show “Deadliest Catch.”
At issue had been Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand refusal to participate in a one-time special called “Hillstranded.”
Hansen, who commands the fishing vessel Northwestern, and the Hillstrand brothers who are in command of the Time Bandit, initially weren’t pleased with the Discovery’s demands, refusing to star in any future episodes of the series until a new contract was drawn up.
In response to the Captains threat, the Discovery Channel filed a $3 million breach of contract lawsuit. But with last week’s announcement that all of the Captains will participate in the special episode, Discovery said it will drop its suit.
“We’re happy we worked everything out with Discovery. A deal’s a deal. We’re heading up to Dutch Harbor to start filming the new season of ‘Deadliest Catch’ and hopefully it will be the best one yet,” Hansen and the Hillstrand’s said in a statement.
“Everyone worked really hard on putting together ‘Hillstranded’ and we’re looking forward to wrapping that up. It’s something new that we hope people will enjoy.”
Terms of the new deal were not disclosed. “Deadliest Catch”s’ seventh season will begin filming next week.
This will be the first season of “Deadliest Catch” without Captain Phil Harris, who commanded the Cornelia Marie fishing vessel. Harris died earlier this year from complications resulting from a stroke on January 29.
The Cornelia Marie is currently in Dutch Harbor, Alaska making preparations for the King Crab season which begins on October 15. The vessel will be commanded by Derrick Ray and the entire crew from last season will again be working aboard the boat.
