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…
I really liked the series and would love another season.
A.D. is better than almost everything on TV. I seriously look forward to it each Sunday. A.D. Is very definitely a keeper!!!’
Please keep it I watched both series
Please bring back a Second season of AD I loved it.
Yes please keep it going….so refreshing to see something different from the norm on the television. I loved it and I connect to it on a personal level, to know that others are of the same thinking is so comforting as well. Thank you for placing this at forefront and I hope and pray that you allow it to continue…God Bless all that are involved in this the work of our Lord…
A.D. The Bible Continues is the best show on this network. Please keep it going.
My mom and I watched the whole season and LOVED it!! Please PLEASE bring out season 2!!
Please continue this series. It was well cast, well shot, well portrayed. A high quality production that had something of significance to offer.
We love the show. Please continue with season 2.
Please keep it!!!!!
Please continue! I looked forward to seeing it all week. Kept me going.
Awesome very well done, please continue with more seasons. Just when I believed TV was a complete waste nbc grew up with real tv worth watching. Thank you all
Would love to see more, more, more!!
Please continue the series!
Please keep it on the air people need to see the real truth on t.v rather then the other stuff they put on t.v