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 continue to make episodes of AD: THE BIBLE CONTINUES. I watched every show.
I am sorry to hear that the ratings weren’t the greatest. People need to view this type of
film. People need to know about religion.
I hope and pray that NBC keeps up the good work and renews this wonderful series for another season!
This really was a great series. We looked forward to it every Sunday since the series began. I hope it returns for a second season.
The series was fantastic and we are so sad it is over. Sincerely hope and pray it will be back. Outstanding in all ways.
I have watched every program and saved them on my DVR. I am hoping there will be more and all of those I am friends with feel the same way I do! Please don’t let it go away! And if it airs on a cable channel then I’ll watch it there. Either way, wheverever it airs I will watch it if it’s brought back for a 2nd season!
This is the best mini series I’ve seen ever.I got to see more even if I have to bye it. Please do not quite.
please please please give us season two. Season one
Was extremely well written and produced. It’s sad, that they are thinking of pulling such a wonderful show off the air and keep shows that show rape and murder and the horrible side of humanity.
What a great way to bring the family back to watching TV together on Sunday nights with a show that begins deeper conversations among the family and also friends. The actors are wonderful and if people have not read the Bible yet (or in a long time), this may be one way to get them to know Christ. BE BOLD AND TAKE A STAND NBC! I do pray
NBC keeps this show for a Season 2 and more.
Pease bring it back any means it takes. On any TV station possible. Really did not like how it ended, left it incomplete.
Absolutely no reason to discontinue this series unless you’re Godless. I will follow it to whichever station picks it up.
I definitely want the show to return!
I love the show I hope they do not cancel it. There is a great message and in today’s society with all of the immoral behaviors on the television and media today we need to bring morality back in our living rooms and in front of our children and family time If it does not return to prime time please keep it going on the Internet or cable. It is a wonderful show.
I loved the mini-series and I’m sad that it’s over. Please, please, please let’s have a Season 2.
I truly loved this series. I pray that NBC will order more of it. There are so many story lines that can be followed. I would hope that families would sit there children down to watch these type shows and hopefully they can learn of Love, Charity, And Hope. In a world where they remove the 10 Commandments from school, we need a medium such as TV to reach people. No one really has much time to read these days.
Please bring it back, It is a great series We need more!
We need a season 2 of the AD! It was a wonderful show and I would like it to continue,
We need to see more of this story!!!