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…
This has been some of the most informative and essential programming on television that I have ever seen. It has been something that my wife and I have looked forward to weekly and I pray that the financial support will be available for the future episodes. We still have so much to share on the history of the church.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole progression. The kids have followed along with us (turning their heads as needed) every week. No matter what, we can’t end with 6-21 as a last show. That is surely an open door for more.
Please continue series. It is such an uplifting series. We never miss it. Can’t believe anyone would not want to watch it.
Absolutely! Please give us a second season… Third… Fourth… Etc!
Yesplease keep A.D. The Bible Continues. I’m looking forward to another season,this one went by to quicK.
I do not have cable so please don’t take this series off the air.
Please continue the series–whether on NBC or cable!!!
I look forward to watching with my son each week. Please continue with another season.
We LOVED this show – A.D. The Bible Continues! Never before has anyone done a movie or TV show about this time period in Christian history. We found this series informative, fascinating and inspiring. It is so refreshing to have something of this caliber and subject material to watch in the turbulent and violent times we live in. PLEASE bring back a season 2 for this series.
Please keep!
I think there should be a second season. The final episode left questions unanswered like what’s gonna happen to Pilate’s wife, Claudia?
Please go on! Enjoyed more than the heavy weight fictional series on AMC. I am watching.
I will watch Season 2 on whatever station it airs. I have looked forward to seeing it each week and when I have not been home I recorded it. It is so gratifying and inspiring to see the early church unfold before viewing eye eyes in addition to reading the scriptures. I hope others have been moved to seek Jesus through this series. Thank you to all who made this possible and participated in its production. The casting was was superb.
Man this show is amazing please keep this show going I would love to see another season: ):
Thank you NBC. Please play 2nd season. Looking forward to it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Agree with other comments about biblical and historical accuracy. Encouraged me to check facts about my knowledge of events.