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…
Love this series. I am ready for more. My 15 year old son and I have been glued to this show every Sunday night. We can’t believe it is over.
Been looking forward to AD. Enjoy it very much. The actors are very good. The story quite inspiring. Please keep it on.
This has been an inspiring and well written series.
Finally a TV series that is real and entertaining at the same time. Please continue!
A.D. was really a great series and ended with a huge opening for more. The story was left unfinished. My family would love to see more. Please continue the series.
My husband & I loved the ad the bible series. Please continue this amazing story!
Yes would love for it to contiinue, its a great series!
I pray this continues ,the bible is truth,and that’s what this generation needs.
Please bring this back for a second season. This is awesome!! PLEASE!!
please keep the series going i absolutely loved watching every episode the actors were amazing and now that it has come to an end i positively know with all my heart i will truly miss these sunday episodes i looked forward to sunday all week long and the directors did an awesome job on the series they were truly inspired by the Holy Spirit
Yes, please offer a 2nd season. The ending left us hanging.
I would love to see the series continue. I believe it is very good and such a worthwhile project. I hope with more promotion it could gain a larger audience. I have to tape because we attend church on Sunday nights.
We need this, the world needs to hear THE WORD OF GOD
Absolutely loved this mini-series… I’ve looked forward to watching this show each week more than any other I’ve ever watched. Please bring back another season… the last episode left me wanting more.
This series has to continue! The series offers so much, Not only from a religious standpoint, but also from a historical standpoint.
I, and many of my friends, hope NBC puts in a request for season 2 of A. D. The Buble Continues!
I believe there should be more. this is a wonderful show. My husband looks forward to this show every Sunday and this is a surprise to me that he is really enjoying it. Beside you can not leave it with Peter with a sword at his throat. What is going to happen to him? We need this TV show, now more than ever to show to the faith and trust this men and women had.