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…
Definitely – and would watch it anywhere
YES! Keep the show!!!! I’ve been watching it every week. Just because the 18-49 demographics aren’t holding interest in the show, you think the rest of us or dead or
something? The world doesn’t just revolve around them. I guess you have to be over
50 to appreciate good entertainment. I guess those folks go more for the JUNK shows.
Our family Loved this series. Please make a season 2! God Bless
Definitely definitely need to bring A.D. back!!! What a great program it’s teaching me and my family so much.
Yes! Please bring back AD for season 2! Great acting, writing and sets!
Praying that Season 2 becomes a reality.
There should definitely be a season 2. Few shows on television care or dare to show the Jewish Jesus as just that and what happens after the crucifixion. I think people of all faiths would benefit from watching it.
I loved the series. It helped me to understand better what the disciples had to face, how they had to strengthen their faith and understand what Jesus wanted them to do. I loved the scene when Jesus ascended and the angels where there to receive him. They are dressed for battle. I hope they look like that really. It kind of made me feel safe. Please don’t end it. I want to see more. Put something good and true on tv, the world needs the truth. It may change a life. Wouldn’t that be worth it, regardless of ratings? There… Read more »
I would really like to see this show continue . I have been watching each episode and it is one of the few ongoing series that I watch .
Reading this post of not having a season two is very disappointing to my whole family, we look forward to this show every Sunday and what an amazing tool this is to spread the gospel of Christ. We sure hope there will be a season 2,3 and so on.
Yes, I loved it and hope they do a season 2. A lot of the stories are not biblically accurate, but the theme is there. I love all the actors. There is so much junk on TV, this was wonderful.
Please bring back AD The Bible. We need more good Shows like this.
Yes, definitely, keep it coming… very well done. Needed.
Please bring us the next season!!! Loved it!!!
I would love to see another season of this show. I would watch on any network.