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 keep this series going! It brings the Bible to life and you realize that they are people just like you and me. Thely have done a phenomenal job!
Excellent mini series, please renew!
I most certainly would watch another season.
I loved watching this show and look forward to watching it every Sunday as I also record it. Please continue with it. I would love to see season 2.
Please keep this great show coming!!! This is the best Bible series I have ever seen.
You left us on a cliff-hanger!! YES – I would LOVE to see a second season. We are truly enjoying this program!!! Please keep it coming every Sunday until you get us through the entire New TEstament to REvelation!!
God bless you all for favoring such a WONDERFUL program on national TV! :-))
I love A.D. The Bible Continues! !! Please do a second season. The world needs to see it!
This was a great series.I am definitely rooting for a 2nd season
I really loved and enjoyed watching the show. It’s my favorite show of all time. I didn’t miss not one episode of it. I really would love to see many more seasons. My best friend even loves it she hasn’t missed an episode either. We are dedicated to the show. Please continue the series!
PLEASE RENEW. MANY TV SHOWS WERE NOT RATINGS WINNERS IN THEIR FIRST SEASON BUT PICKED UP AN AUDIENCE IN TIME.
Please renew!!! This is the absolute BEST portrayal of Jesus and his disciples and all that happens to them as found in the New Testament.
Please renew AD. It is a terrific series. Very well done.
What a fantastic mini series and would love to see it continue. It is uplifting and a reminder through Jesus there is a better life when we leave this world. We need shows like this and I hope it comes back this Fall.
Please Continue!
Please continue making more.