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…
I want to see the second season of th bible A.D continues. I love this show. It has a lot of great values
PLEASE MAKE SEASON 2 !!!! Me and my family LOVE A.D. !!!!!!!
Please renew!
Loved it! Absolutely would keep watching
Yes Please!
Pls pls pls renew
Yes, please make a season 2 of AD the Bible continues!
Please renew. Excellent show.
Please renew this A.D. The Bible…….this is the only series my family watches.
This I s just what we all need…so PLEASE bring on season 2
Please order another season! This is a family show that influences my kids to learn more about the stories of the bible. We look forward all week to Sunday night shows! We love the fact that it is spreading the Word of God letting it be known that JESUS IS THE TRUE MESSIAH!
I love this show and I plan my whole evening with my family to watch this!! I hope it will continue on for a second season! This is quality television. Too much negativity and evil in today’s programming. A.D. brings positivity to a dark time and reminds us of our true roots and heritage.
I will even watch reruns, so YES , I would watch more seasons!!
Would love to see it return for another season
Yes please….need Season 2!!!
Throughly enjoyed this series!
First of all I’m disappointed that the ratings have fallen since the initial launch of the season. I now fear cancellation of one of the best type of series that has ever been on TV. I understand that low ratings are not good for a network, but no amount of profit could equate to the value of a soul being saved, and I believe this is what this series has and will continue to do. I beseech Mark and Roma to create more and more episodes of the Bible even if it means viewing via other channels, because we must… Read more »