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…
Please do not cancel this series. I am inspired each week by this amazing dramatization. I will be waiting for the next season!!!
Sincerely,
Joyce Perrin
Yes, I’d definitely watch a sequel! Can’t get enough!
The Bible A.D. is the only thing I’ve watched on NBC since Frasier. Network television is meaningless. This series is stunning. I am recommending it to everyone–and after they say, “NBC?”, I say, “Yes! NBC! I know. Unbelievable. But I’m watching it because it’s great!”
Would LOVE to see this continue!! My husband and I cannot wait for each Sunday to watch this show, it’s inspiring!! What an amazing gift this has been!!
A.D. The Bible Continues is literally the ONLY reason I’m watching NBC at all right now. I very much want to see this show continue. Please do not cancel it! I believe this show is being used by God to proclaim His word of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ to people who might otherwise not hear it and encourage people to read these important stories from the Bible. It is helping to shine God’s light in a dark world that desperately needs Him. Please continue this show!
I am very impressed with this effort, and in fact it is the ONLY thing that I have watched on NBC for some time. I very much hope that the network will renew this series, which is one of the very few things anywhere on secular TV that treats Christianity with anything other than contempt.
If NBC does not renew, I will go in search of it elsewhere.
Please Please keep it going. I can’t wait to see it every Sunday. This is the first time in a long time where it is close to being Biblicaly accurate. I would not want to see it cancelled.
I hope and pray this series will continue on…it is blessing my soul and I have such a passion w/in to see more…
Blessings, Love & Peace.
Please renew A.D. The Bible Continues!!!!! I would so watch it again!!!! Even if means moving back to History Channel, I would still watch it!
As a Christian, it is a great series to view and I enjoy it, immensely. It took some getting use to, with the use of diverse actors, for such characters as John, and Mary Magdalene, but I settled in to it. I would be extremely disappointed if the series did not continue; if merely for
ratings/financial reasons. After all this is about God.
Like many series, which had slow starts, this one will be a success. If not on NBC, then certainly, on The History channel, where more open minds prevail.
Please continue this series. I love seeing a show about God. There are too many shows promoting Satan and his agenda. It is a very exciting and interesting show. This is a show I can actually watch with my older children.
Yes Keep It On ! I Really Enjoy It !!!!
Yes, I would definitely watch a second season. Television needs more clean shows like this. And it is some exposure to the Bible and to history of that period which younger people may not know much about. It’s told in an entertaining manner.
My hope is to keep this type of entertainment on a network; as we are bombarded with multiple occult-based shows invading our living rooms on a daily basis. My suggestion to the writers is to explain in more plain terms in the dialog of the characters what the teachings of the Bible are for those watching who are not familiar with the Holy Bible, perhaps with some type of narration by one of the characters.
Please continue to a 2nd season and stay more accurate to what the Bible depicted. Might need to change target audience to mainly hungry Christians looking for clean godly shows to enjoy.
@ Delores, it’s biblically accurate but also historically accurate; mixed with insights into early Christianity and the politics of everyday life in that era.