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…
Loved the series and I want to see more in 2016. It was What I felt was a true and realistic series. I BELIEVE.
Absolutely bring more! Our country needs the truth of God much more than violence and sex on tv.
Amen
I’ve been enjoying how the writers are filling in the blanks on the basic Bible story. I definitely hope there is a second season, and I’d watch it no matter which outlet makes it available
please please bring us more…I m so addicited to the best told stories of the bible r…love love love it
Yes i do want another season. My husband says he is going to get rid of cable and tv because of all the innapropriate not family friendly and non uplifting tv programs. This ahow and baseball season keeps him from doing it. Actually he can get baseball on his phone now so take this away and nbc will not be on in my house anymore. This is the only positive show they got.
Please continue with another season. Loved it!
Please continue with a season 2. Love this show!!!!
Yes, please bring it back. My husband and I on Sunday’s would say “HEY…AD is on tonight”. The finale was incrediable. I want to know more!!! What happens next?? PLEASE on come back.
Please have a second season. My husband and I could not wait for Sunday night. We loved watching this show. We would watch and then look up what happened in the BIble. This show was a blessing for us right now. Loved it
loved it and can’t wait for Season 2 please!
Please bring it back!! The world needs to see this!!
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW GOING!!! MY FIANCEE AND I LOVE IT!!! WE BOUGHT THE EPISODES WE COULDN’T WATCH ON SUNDAY EVENINGS JUST SO WE COULD KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW. KEEP THE FAITH AND LOVE GOD!
I will watch and buy the DVD
Whole family and extended family will most certainly watch every episode with panted breath. We thought NBC was done for ever in our homes. Now this proves how exciting and spot on Acts, as told in AD miniseries will change our lives and millions of viewers. Holy Spirit is at work revealing himself to the masses . This is real Hope and Change!
The manifestation of the Holy Spirit was so moving and I believe accurate. You could almost feel the love coming through the screen
YES,!!! Can’t wait for season2. Much more story to be told. So glad to see this on NBC