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 the A.D Bible Continues I look forward to it on Sunday
PLEASE RENEW AD The Bible Continues. Great series. Really enjoy watching every week.
my husband and I started watching it on week 3 and have not missed any episode after that… it would be fantastic to watch series2.. sure hope to see it in 2016,,
YES, bring on season 2!!!!!
Abosolutely want to see the series continue!
Renew the A.D.Bible series. It’s the only reason I watch NBC. Yes, I would watch it elsewhere. Can hardly wait for next season!
Great series and so refreshing to much of what is on TV today.
Please continue
I’ve followed the Bible and now A.D.the Bible continues from day one and in today’s society we all need to hear 6th word of God from the TV screen our youth really need to tune in Amen.
Please renew.
This is the type of series we need on network TV. Please renew another season. This is “Reality” TV at it greatest.
Definitely renew!
I hope the holy spirit would guide NBC to renew this series. I love to see the story of Jesus and the work of the disciples.
Please continue this show. Since the first day it started I have never missed an episode. I truly lifts you up when you watch it. Would love a second season.
I am totally glued to the screen. great acting and wonderful stories Please please please renew.
Yes, I would be so pleased to have this continue for as long as possible. All the world needs to have this to see in there homes.