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…
We love this show! We look forward to it every Sunday night. I hope NBC orders the next season, if not hopefully the next season will air on cable.
I would love to see another season. I didn’t want it to end. Every episode left me wanting more. # loved it!
Yes….. yes…. yes…..
Yes,Yes,Yes! Please continue. Finally the telling of the true story of Christ on TV. It’s excellent. I can’t believe the series ended like that.
Yes, NBC keep AD The Bible Continues. My husband and I follow along with this and read the Bible to compare notes. Second season and more is needed. Our country needs this now more than ever. Don’t let politics sway you; listen to the public. Keep our Christian rights protected, too!
Yes, please bring out Season 2!
Absolutely, there needs to be a second season of A.D.: The Bible Continues. Count me in to watch it wherever it is available!!!!
we enjoyed his show very much….cast and characters superb!~Renew
Oh, please continue this show! I loved the conversion of Cornelius and how he was torn about how to act during the Nero statue riots. I loved that Claudia might be converted–I know the Orthodox Christians feel she did convert in real life and became a saint. I loved that Peter [or another character] said that forgiveness is open to everyone.
We very much enjoyed viewing the A.D. The Bible Continues series. We would love to see further episodes. It brings the Bible to life. It also encourages an interest in personal Bible study.
Please renew!
Great programming!
Please continue the series. Another season please.
Believe in our Father and his Son Jesus, as this is our way. After all, he gave himself for us. Have Faith always.
Please continue this series. I am enjoying it and have not missed a week.
thanks you for airing it!
Pleaseeeee Continue to keep showing it! And come out with many more series. I wished they showed more than what they do. It would’ve been cool if it was 2 hours or more. Just saying 🙂 i really love the series and wished we didn’t have to wait so long to continue to watch it.