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…
Please Please Please bring this back. I am still in SHOCK over the ending last night…..We MUST have more!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with the others before me! JESUS is ALL WE NEED & IN PRIME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!! I will watch this on whatever network is willing to be ETERNALLY BLESSED By God! You have to know that you will! Ratings – Temporal VS. Souls Saved – ETERNAL!!!!!!
Please Please Please continue on with AD Continues – There are sooo many lives being touched!!!!!!!!!! God Bless You! Always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I want more of A.D. I love the theme music when it comes on. I admire that NBC took a chance on a biblical program. I had to watch it every week. Loved last night’s episode. You could see the change all over Cornelius’ face. Enjoyed how they portrayed speaking in tongues and whenever the Holy Spirit entered the environment. The actors’ portrayals of biblical accounts were excellent especially those of Peter, Pilate, and Saul.
I agree – This miniseries has brought the Bible and what Jesus is all about alive!!! I look forward every week to what will happen next and wow I can’t believe EVERYONE isn’t watching this!!! PLEASE keep this show coming. I agree with Angel – God will bless you for it.
Season 2 can’t wait!!!
Love it. Please keep it coming back this fall.
Yes keep it on. Glad something is finally on TV to show people about God’s love
Yes… please continue the series!
My husband and I have watched every episode and love it. We hope there will be a season two to continue to spread the gospel message.
Please continue this series. Yes, I know how the Bible portion of the story ends, but I also want to know what happens to Claudia, Pilate, Caiaphus, Cornelius and others. The actors are phenomenal! I’d prefer to watch on network television, but if string or DVD are the only options, then I’ll watch it that way.
Yes I’m looking forward to season 2 and more loved it and want more will follow wherever it airs and if sold will buy.
YES! I want a season 2. This is a great series and I hope it’s played again so people who didn’t see it have a chance to. The actors are all great. They sure picked the right ones as far as I’m concerned.
oh yes please…. I absolutely want a season 2-3-4 how ever long it takes. Sunday’s nights it was me and AD the Bible I didn’t miss a single night. Please please please bring it back.
Please keep it going
My wife and I saw all 12 episodes. Number 12 ended differently than we both had expected.
We vote to have a season II. Let us know when it will happen and we will be watching NBC.
I want a second season. I actually love this series. I get to understand Christian values more.
This is coming from a devout Muslim.
I realize TV is based on ratings if you are to keep or drop a show but really…….This has been the best TV I have seen on Primetime in years. Everything else has been worthless to watch. I too was glued to my tv every Sunday at 9pm and looked forward to the next weeks episode. Maybe NBC should go against the grain and instead of worrying about ratings ie: your shareholders Give Sunday a day to look forward to because your other Sunday programs are just plain boring. Would it really kill you to give up 60 mins in… Read more »
I would love to see a second season. Please keep the series going.