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’d love some more of this series. I do of course know how it has progressed to date, but am enjoying watching the early days unfold on TV.
Loved this series! Please renew for a second season.
Please please please let there be a second, third, forth and more seasons of The Bible A.D. I loved every episode. Watching it on television was a good nice supplement to what I have read.
Please have a second season. I have loved this show and the actors are great! It brings the great story alive!
yes please renew!
I love this show! The cast is terrific! The twists and turns really keep you guessing even if you think you know the story. The ending to season one was a bit odd, I would have thought they are bringing it back by judging the ending. Please don’t leave Peter hanging, it deserves to be renewed!
please renew!!
Renew for a second season! Please!
Please have a season 2. We love the show, it helps our faith. Thanks.
Please keep going!!!
I loved the entire season and would appreciate another season of A.D. the Bible Continues. This has been one of the best shows on NBC.
Please renew…..I’m deeply touched and inspired by this mini-series.
Please do a second season. This was amazing. People will be left upset if we don’t get a real ending.
We normally do not watch NBC. However, we have been tuned in every Sunday night since the beginning, even when traveling.
It was an enthralling series. We definitely hope it continues.
We truly enjoyed listening to David Jerimah and his preaching in concert with the program. In today’s world we definitely need more programing like this
Yes!! We look forward to watching AD every week!