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…
we thoroughly enjoyed watching the A.D. series. It is absolutely the one and ONLY network series we watch, everything else is to nasty or obscene to watch. Please bring this back in the fall as a regular weekly program.
Please bring this back in a second season. It’s been fantastic to watch all 12 episodes. With all that is happening in this world today, this can bring hope and inspire believers and unbelievers to read the Bible.
Keep the series rolling. It has been a great 12 weeks of me watching the mini series and cannot wait to see what the director has installed for season 2. It has been a blessing to all that saw the show and will continue to be with or without NBC approval. I would want to watch season 2 where ever they might decide to show it.
I watch this show every week. It will a shame to drop it because people look foward to it, its a history leason to us. I would like see season 2 in the making.
Yes. I will watch it elsewhere. Thank you NBC!
yes, I would like to see another season– I found it very interesting and the show made me more aware of the political situation of the time. I think even non-christians would find it interesting from the historical perspective. The characters are well-portrayed and seem very realistic
Please continue with a second season.
My husband and I have enjoyed the program AD the Bible Continues. We appreciate the factual presentation, though at times overdramatize and look forward to continued seasons on what ever channel provides it.
I love the show. I will miss it.
I was happy when it was Sunday so I could see The Bible AD…I watched all 12 and would even watch it again online as I enjoyed it that much. I thought the acting was terrific and the episodes exciting. Please let’s have another season.
Thank you NBC.
Yes ! Keep this show! I have been watching every week and it has had a great impact on me.
YES! I agree with Donna, you should keep the show. We too, are not within the 18 -49 demographics but we watched every week looking forward to the next episode. We are over 50 and loved it!
Please bring season 2 we love watching it
Yes keep the show please me and my husband love watching it….
Keep it …. Great series.