Following the ratings success of The Bible mini-series on History, NBC ordered a sequel — AD: The Bible Continues. Has this mini-series been the answer to the network’s prayers? Will they want a second season?
Produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, AD: The Bible Continues tells the tale of the later chapters of biblical history (following the Crucifixion of Christ). It focuses on the disciples who had to go forward and spread the teachings of Christ to a world dominated by political unrest. The cast includes Juan Pablo Di Pace, Adam Levy, Richard Coyle, Vincent Regan, Greta Scacchi, Babou Ceesay, Chipo Chung, Emmett J. Scanlan, Jodhi May, Joanne Whalley, Ken Bones, Kevin Doyle, Helen Daniels, and Fraser Ayers.
The series debuted on April 5th to a respectable 2.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 9.68 million viewers. Unfortunately, the numbers saw severe drops in weeks two (falling 28%) and three (falling 31%) and the rating have kept coming down nearly every week. AD has hit series lows of a 0.7 rating in the demo and little more than four million viewers.
Though this was billed as a mini-series, the producers have said that their writers have been working on scripting season two. Just in case the network wants a second season, they need the additional lead time to have episodes ready for next Easter.
Still, based on the ratings, there doesn’t seem to be much reason for NBC to order a second season of AD. They could make the show an annual event but the audience numbers really aren’t big enough for a network.
Burnett and Downey could however choose to take the project back to cable where The Bible was a big success for them. That also did very well with DVD sales. In today’s ever-shifting marketplace, they could find enough outlets to keep producing Bible-based series for years to come without being on a network.
What do you think? Would you like to see a second season of AD: The Bible Continues on NBC? Would you watch it elsewhere?
7/3 update: NBC has cancelled the series. They won’t air a second season but…
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1654 Comments on "AD: The Bible Continues: Cancel or Keep the NBC Series?"
At least do a DVD series
this was a great show! please continue with a 2nd season!
Make season 2 ASAP
Yes I would love to see a season 2! They need to finish it all the way. I finally got to see season 1 for the very first time. I loved it
I agree 100%
Yes I’d love to see the second season it left me guessing if Jesus would help his people kill the new Roman or if he is still showing signs he’s helping I was always in tuned with the series I had a friend who told me about it so I really hope that the series continues it would be helpful
Surely if ever there was a story worth telling (and as astonishingly well as Season 1 heralded) this is IT. A total abomination that Season 2 isn’t in production.
We need to learn more of Saul and Peter’s journey in Christ, how far Caligula and Pilate go, wonderful Cornelius’ tale, who killed Leah, and so on.
A truly inspiring and insightful dramatisation. My husband and I were ‘hooked’ and watched Season 1 in just 2 days.
Please please make more of this calibrate Biblical drama.
i have a large collection of biblical series and movies…. AD the Bible continues season 1 was sensational. I am saddened that season 2 has been cancelled, in this day and age where ratings and money are all that seem to matter,….just goes to show where we are headed ……into even deeper darkness !!! I truly hope that you could see into your HEARTS and reconsider !!! …. GOD bless for beginning something special, but I hope and pray for this dramatic/wonderful series to continue……IT HAS TOUCHED MANY SOULS …
Do we see what God is showing us from Gensis to revelations. That what was the history, is today the mystery ( Christ in us) we have to understand the main reason way the temple was destroyed in AD 70. The new covenant with us. Gone with the old and in with the new. This was really a great series to whatch. Now I understand revelations much better. I will just like to see the end of the temple
I love both “The Bible” and “A.D. The Bible continues” and I would want to watch it on NBC, Cable, or DVD. Where ever it is broadcast is where I’ll see it!!!
We had purchased Season 1 and know that there was more of this. My 82 year old mother-in-law had enjoyed this tremendously – gave her a clearer picture on the characters. It is the Lenten Season and Season 2 would have been excellent during this time. If season 2 is not to be aired can this please be available on DVD to complete what we have started.
Yes to season 2 if not a 2 hour movie to tie up the lose ends! I would buy the season 2 DVD set. This is a great production and story of salvation.
Please make season three!
Yes, would love to see a season 2
Want AD series to return to NBC and yes I would watch this powerful and great series on another channel love this series “POWERFUL” STRONG IMPACT !!!
Please allow a second season. This series has touched my heart, my soul and spirit. This is a dying world and they need this avenue from this series to help bring His Word. The series was Awesome. Five stars to every actor and anyone who had a part in this production.
My favorite actors are Adam Levy as Peter and Chipo Chung as Mary.
My best to you all.
I would love to see season 2 and the rest of the bible chapters