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…
Would absolutely LOVE another season on any network!!
Yes please I want more!!!!!
Loved the show. I would like a small cond season.
Yes, I loved this series. Please continue with more seasons.
Loved the series!!! Hope they do a second season.
My whole family enjoyed AD the Bible Continues, we didn’t miss an episode!! Please, please, please make a season 2!! Finally, something worth watching on network TV.
I truly enjoyed The Bible and AD. I anxiously looked forward to the episodes each week. I often had my Bible available and discussed with friends how close the shows were with scriptures. Please have a second season & don’t cancel the series. We need more shows about Jesus and Christianity on network TV.
My wife and I both loved the series. Can’t wait to see more.
look forward to season 2! There is too much rubbish on TV these days and even if this show is not 100% historically accurate, it’s still history and culture. Absolutely loved it and I’m Hindu!!!
I loved it and look forward to another season on any network.
Loved the series. I want more!!!!
Yes, please continue more of THE BIBLE A.D.!!! We had Get togethers to watch it! It is nice to learn the HISTORY, TIMES, after JESUS died, rose. Great series!!! MORE MORE MORE…
The show A.D. was just an excellent show from beginning to end. The acting was superb. I would really like to see many more mini series like these that have to do with the bible. I am sure many other people in our country would like to see mini-series like these as well not just A.D. viewers. Well Done Roma Downey!!! Also WELL DONE NBC!!! for airing A.D. in the first place. If NBC would air more quality programing like A.D. I would watch NBC a lot more. A lot of my friends would watch programing like this as well… Read more »
I loved it. Great acting. Great story. Great history. Great drama. Great and wonderful God.
Judy
Yes!! I loved the series and want it to continue!!!
I agree with Lori! I loved it! What a huge disappointment if it isn’t continued!!
Yes I would. LOVED IT!