Discovery Channel’s beloved docu-series Moonshiners shows no signs of slowing down. Now in its 15th season, which premiered on January 6, 2026, the show has reinvented itself around one of the most audacious storylines in its 15-year run: a cross-border bootlegging operation targeting Canada. As trade wars drive up legal liquor prices and Canadian tariffs create a new black market for tax-free shine, the Appalachian outlaws are bolder — and busier — than ever. Here’s the definitive 2026 update on every member of the Moonshiners family.
🟢 Current Cast — Still Shining in Season 15
Tim Smith (Seasons 1–present)
The original cast member who went legitimate over a decade ago with his Climax Moonshine brand has made a stunning reversal. In Season 15, Tim steps back into the outlaw world, reuniting with Tickle to exploit the booming Canadian tariff-free liquor market. It’s their first illegal run together in 14 years. As Tim himself explained: “I went legal 14 years ago, and it has been a challenge. It has been very hard to make money — by the time you get done with everyone sticking their hands in the pot, the guy who actually made the moonshine doesn’t get too much.” After rivals destroy his Canada-bound stash, he relocates the operation to Kentucky, where he discovers the dark side of working with a Bluegrass shine boss.
Steven Ray “Tickle” (Seasons 1–present, gap in 5–6)
The show’s beloved wildcard is as irreplaceable as ever. Season 15 sees Tickle partnering with Tim on the cross-border Canadian operation before pivoting to team up with Henry, even engineering a snorkel kit to drive through floodwaters just to reach their still site. His chemistry with every member of the crew remains the emotional heart of the series.
Mark Ramsey & Eric “Digger” Manes (Seasons 3/4–present)
After a dangerous close call with law enforcement, this inseparable duo is rebuilding their large-scale operation from scratch, calling on veteran bootlegger JB Rader to guide the next phase. Season 15 also sees them reverse-engineering a counterfeit jar of shine flooding the outlaw market, delivering some backwoods justice to an unscrupulous operator, and working with newcomer Huck on a series of risky dead drops. Amanda and Kelly are also enlisted to procure a truckload of hail-damaged peaches for a new batch.
Josh Owens (Seasons 2–present)
After his near-fatal 2023 motorcycle crash at Daytona International Speedway, Josh has completed his full comeback. Season 15’s most dramatic Josh moment: he finally finishes his decade-long underground bunker project and fires up the still for a first-ever run of gold flake cinnamon shine. He also heads to the Carolina hills to reinvent his family recipe with a new secret ingredient — before getting a sharp wake-up call from the law.
Mike Cockrell & Jerry Benson (Seasons 6/9–present)
This Mississippi-and-North-Carolina duo keeps pushing the boundaries of the craft. Season 15 has them experimenting with a rapid-aging pressure system to replicate the taste of years-old whiskey, tempted by soaring prices for aged spirits. They also tackle a batch made from candy roasted liquor — another reminder that no ingredient is too unconventional for these two.
Henry Law (Seasons 8–present)
Now operating without his late cousin Kenny, Henry carries the weight of Franklin County’s legacy on his own shoulders. Season 15 sees him team up with Tickle — including their improvised snorkel flood-crossing — and target the lake house crowd as a new distribution channel. Henry’s quiet determination and deep-rooted craftsmanship remain the soul of the Virginia moonshining tradition.
Amanda Bryant (Recurring → expanded role)
Amanda steps into a more prominent Season 15 storyline, assisting Mark and Digger with intelligence work and crafting her own Manhattan-style corn liquor, signaling her growing stature within the crew.
JB Rader (Seasons 6–11, returns Season 15)
Previously listed as retired, JB Rader makes a notable return in Season 15, called upon by Mark and Digger to help guide their rebuilding operation. A former ally of the legendary Popcorn Sutton, his experience proves indispensable when the duo needs a steady hand.
Supporting Cast
- Mark Rogers — Continues to appear in regional operations and crossover storylines.
- “Huck” — A new face paired with Mark Ramsey for a series of covert dead drops this season.
- “Big Chuk” (Bryan Rutherford) — A new addition to the Season 15 lineup, bringing fresh energy to the crew.
🔻 Departed Cast Members
Several shiners have stepped away from the cameras over the years:
- Jeff Waldroup (Seasons 2–7) — Departed quietly alongside his son Lance.
- Bill Canny (Seasons 2–6) — Remembered for his strict adherence to traditional methods.
- Chico & Sandra (Seasons 3–7) — Chose family over filming.
- Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick (Seasons 2–5, recurring) — Retired as his health declined; passed away in 2017.
- Tyler Wood (Seasons 3–5) — Made a brief impression and did not return.
- “Muddog” Mike Mitchell, “Shot” Brandon, Darlene — Early contributors who gradually phased out.
🕊️ In Memoriam — Those We’ve Lost
The Moonshiners family has endured heartbreaking losses. Each season carries their memory forward.
- Kenny Law (Died January 14, 2025, age 68) — The most recent and deeply felt loss. A Franklin County master craftsman and Henry’s closest partner across Seasons 8–14, Kenny passed peacefully surrounded by family. Season 15 is dedicated in part to his legacy, and his absence is felt in every scene Henry navigates alone.
- Lance Waldroup (Died March 2021, age 30) — A tragically young loss; remembered for his infectious energy and family ties.
- Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick (Died September 6, 2017, age 77) — The folksy storyteller whose charm defined the show’s early seasons.
- Roy Grooms (Died February 21, 2018, age 71) — An old-school mountain distiller whose authentic style left a lasting mark.
- Popcorn Sutton (Died March 16, 2009, age 62) — The pre-show legend whose rebellious outlaw spirit inspired the entire series.
📊 Cast Summary Table
| Cast Member | Status | Seasons Active |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Smith | Current | 1–present |
| Tickle | Current | 1–present (gap 5–6) |
| Mark Ramsey | Current | 3–present |
| Digger Manes | Current | 4–present |
| Josh Owens | Current | 2–present |
| Mike Cockrell | Current | 6–present |
| Jerry Benson | Current | 9–present |
| Henry Law | Current | 8–present |
| Amanda Bryant | Current (expanded) | Recurring–present |
| JB Rader | Returned S15 | 6–11, S15 |
| “Huck” | New – S15 | 15–present |
| “Big Chuk” (Bryan Rutherford) | New – S15 | 15–present |
| Kenny Law | Deceased | 8–14 |
| Jeff & Lance Waldroup | Left / Deceased | 2–7 |
| Bill Canny | Left | 2–6 |
| Jim Tom Hedrick | Deceased | 2–10 (intermittent) |
| Roy Grooms | Deceased | Early seasons |
| Popcorn Sutton | Deceased | Pre-show legend |
Season 15 — The Big Picture
Season 15 is the show’s most timely yet, using the real-world backdrop of trade wars and soaring alcohol tariffs to justify a bold new chapter: cross-border bootlegging into Canada. For the first time in 14 years, even a legitimate distiller like Tim Smith is back on the wrong side of the law — and that tension gives the season an authenticity few reality shows can match.
With 16 episodes airing weekly on Tuesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel — and available on Discovery+ and HBO Max — Season 15 is as easy to follow as ever. Season 15 is bittersweet, as one of the beloved cast members, Kenny Law, passed away in early 2025, and fans and co-stars continue to honor his memory as the season unfolds.
Whether you’re a longtime viewer or a new fan drawn in by the Canadian smuggling storyline, one thing is clear: Moonshiners has never been more alive.
