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…
Have really appreciated the show and the producers bringing the truths of the Bible, in story form, to life! I would watch another season.
I love this series. One of the best shows on today with the message we all need. Please bring it back.
Would love to see a second season, but without the liberal commercials that NBC has been showing along with it.
Have really appreciated the show and the producers bringing the truths of the Bible, in story firm, to life! I would watch another season.
I love the show and look at it weekly. Please continue A.D.
Love this show! So rich with history and everything about it from the cast to the costumes is first rate! This show is a WINNER!!
Would like to see the series continue, with less violence in the stories and more “Good News” about Jesus’s teachings.
My family has enjoyed each moment of every show! Thanks so much.
This series has turned into a real disappointment. They have distorted the real story in Acts, leaving only a few facts sporadically scattered through a lot of fiction. I expected better. People who have never read the Bible are being mislead. God’s message is clear, according to Revelation 22:18-19; “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his… Read more »
We look forward to seeing this every week. It has brought about some wonderful discussions about Jesus and the Bible.
love this series and look forward to it every Sunday night. Please keep it going. Should have more religious shows on TV.
thumbs up, keep the episodes coming.
I’d love to see this series continue! My family looks forward to Sunday evenings to watch it together.
The Season Finale of A.D.is finishing with Acts chapter ten,and you need a season two,and three,to funished the book of Acts.
Please please please continue this.
It’s wonderful