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…
Great show! Please make another season!
I hope there is a second season! There is so much more to tell.
Yes we loved it! Please bring it back that is MUST SEE TV!
This program is amazing! We can’t wait for season 2!
Please continue!!!!!
Absolutely would watch wherever it was. Love the show. Really hope there is a second season. Wish it was a little closer to Biblical account but they get the important things right and it is superbly well done.
would love for it to continue. My husband and i watched it faithfully every Sunday night! please continue it!
Yes! My husband and I would absolutely love to see a 2nd season! Season 1 was excellent!!!
I would love to see a continuation of AD. I am sorry that tonight was the season finale. It was well done and the actors were flawless. I want to learn so much more with more episodes.
Season 2!
I have loved this series! Please keep it going!
Yes this show absolutely deserves a second season and beyond. This is one series I just couldn’t get enough of and besides, its not fair to see Peter in the position he was in at the end without knowing what’s gonna happen
Yes, we would absolutely love a 2nd season. I have never actually bothered to watch any TV series in my 40 plus years of living but I have not missed a single episode of this one. It has become a Sunday night ritual for me and my wife. Plus, my wife is tormented by what is going to happen to Claudia. Will she come to faith in Jesus or not? Cannot wait until next Easter to find out! 🙂
Please renew!!! It left all of us hanging! What will happen to Cornelius – to Claudia – the High Priest after the death of his wife. Why did they leave so many areas of the series left open???? So many value what this series represents. It is such a modern day Bible study people can really wrap their heads around. Please bring the series back.
YES Please add season 2!!!