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…
AD needs to be continued as its such an awesome show! It keeps ur interest and it’s a show our younger people need to see! Please keep this on!
Please give this series a second chance. Thank you!
YES, YES, YES!! It saddens me that there are not enough people to watch and the ratings dropped after the first episode. In my house, we were faithful and watched it every week! It is amazing, engaging and so good! The actors are incredible and I LOVE every minute! I pray for more series to come…I just love the story of the Bible, Gods amazing story of the past, present and future. It just brings God’s word to life and makes it so real to understand. PLEASE continue to make these series, even if it has to move to cable,… Read more »
If the show was presented as a continuing seasonal show,more watchers would have become invested. See what happens with on demand and catch up viewers!!
Love to see this series continue!
Keep the series going!
yes, please bring back another season!
Please continue this series… It brings great insight to the endurance the disciples had to go through and strengthens our faith knowing what it was for fellow christians in the early days…
Please renew the show AD the bible continues!
It is what more people in this country should be watching instead of the other crap that’s on TV!!
Please! Please! Please! NBC renew a second season….I love this series!
Yes please…season 2 us necessary
My husband and I look forward all week to Sunday nights to watch A.D. The Bible. The acting is superb with all character actors as well as the main subjects.
We so hope it will return for a second season.
AD is a fantastic show and far more than I expected. Great acting and makes the Bible come alive in context. I would love to see a second season.
love the stories,please continue this wonderful message of Jesus!
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW,VERY INFORMATIVE,LOVE IT
This is a wonderful series. More shows need to be made. This world needs these kind of shows.
Love it
I would love to see a second season. I have really enjoyed this program this year.
Would love to see A.D. The Bible continue. I look forward to seeing it every Sunday
IThis is a truly wonderful, well produced mini seri