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 love the show. I watch it regularly. I would love to see it continue.
I love this show! Keep the series going. We need more shows like this out there. I love to see updated shows of the bible stories. Awesome job!!!
Please continue with same cast. Absolutely love it. I THINK THE RATINGS ARE DECEIVING AS MOST PEOPLE CAN’T WATCH DURING THE REGULAR PROGRMING TIME. I always watch on NBC online later in the week. I will miss it greatly!
We have LOVED watching AD The Bible Continues & are sad it’s ending, hopefully to return on NBC next season!! We look forward to Sunday evenings every week knowing we’ll be seeing another episode. Wish there were lots more to looking forward to the whole summer! It’s very well done and the acting is superb. My husband and I were lucky to have recently visited Israel and love “seeing” Jerusalem as it is portrayed in this series…it felt so real being there that AD is a wonderful extension of our incredible adventures seeing the Holy Land! Thank you to Mark… Read more »
Our family LOVE to watch this, we pray that it continues. Our world today needs these shows.
I’ll be praying that they are able to continue with making amazing movies like these.
It’s great. Keep going!
I have enjoyed this series. I would very much like to see a season 2. This has brought the Bible to life for me. I have learned so much about what the apostles endured after Jesus was crucified. I truly hope that Mark Burnett and Roma Downey continue the series whether or not NBC keeps it. I will watch it where ever it ends up.
KEEP IT ON!!!!!! My household looks forward to each week.
I love this QUALITY series. I would pray there be a second season. We need more faith based shows on tv. I anticipate Sunday night’s to watch and love that I can get a better vision of what t he apostles went through. It is the best show on!!!!
PLEASE keep it coming.
I’ve really enjoyed watching this show and would like to see it continue. It’s encouraged me to read me Bible more to see how the show treks. It’s been very rewarding. thank you
Ever since I became a believer and read the Bible over and over (with new insights each time) I always said to my friends and family “someone should make a movie about the Book of Acts! It’s such a wild ride, action adventure story.” I never want it to end.
I watch this on the nbc app, which I love. I can watch my shows when best for my schedule. AD is my favorite … Excellent acting! Please continue!
Please return amazing acting and amazing series
haven’t enjoyed tv this much in along time, Please keep going with the show. Would love to see season 2!
I love this show and would love to see it continue. I enjoyed it more than the first Bible series. The quality of the actors and the sets were amazing. Please renew.