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…
I assume people will think I am strange, but I think this series was one of the best things of television for a very long time, maybe ever. When Dr. David Jeremiah endorses it and uses it as starting point in his sermons you can trust this is the truth.
Love the show. Please keep it.
Please yes!! I love watching A.D. I’m very disappointed that the season ended!’
Please do a continuing series of Ad The Bible Continues. It was a blessing to our family.
This deserves to be out there. I enjoyed the show and just like the Bible that was on Netflix, I love how the writers are putting the bible to viewers at this time in age. Want Season 2 and 3 and 4 for that matter to come back. There’s plenty of viewers who will tune in loyal fans and followers.
I would love another season of AD! I look forward to it every week! I would watch it on whatever channel out its on! Finally something we can watch as a family! My kids love the serIes. Please M ark and Roma make more episodes! God bless!
Yes, please bring a 2nd season… We all need to hear the Word of God, during these troubled times.
Yes the best!! want to see more. great cliff hanger last night!!
I would love this series to continue. It ended so awkwardly last evening with me wanting to see what comes next; although, from reading my Bible, I do know what comes next, it is wonderful to see this book acted out. There is so much history that I was not aware of that Burnett and Downey were able to share with us. If NBC doesn’t want them back, pick another channel. I loved it and couldn’t wait until Sunday nights to see the next chapter unfold. Thank you! Do what is necessary to continue this drama for many seasons to… Read more »
YES!
I love this show! It’s the only show I make sure to watch each week. I am already sad this season is over and really want another! It’s a great way to learn about history and the bible. Great show!
We have loved the series so much. It is the only thing we watch on TV. We actually look forward to it every week. It has been a wonder ministry to those who know nothing about the faith and those who have been studying it for years. Amazing piece of history.
YES, PLEASE, SEASON TWO ON WHICH EVER NETWORK WILL AIR IT. SO MUCH LEFT UP IN THE AIR WITH LAST NIGHT’S FINALE!!!!!
Would love to see this series continue, as it brings Jesus’s story to so many!!!!
Please bring A.D. the bible continues back for a second season. We need this show because there is too much garbage on t.v. There’s alot of sex and swearing on t.v., and we need a good decent show that teaches us about Jesus. We need to keep this show.