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…
My husband and I felt the series was excellent and would watch another season of it on whatever network it airs, whether it’s a major network like NBC or a cable network. It was so good, we were disappointed it came to an end and said to each other that we hope there’s a Season 2
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Absolutely LOVED every Episode!!! It was extremely difficult to wait a full week to view the next episode, but definitely worth the anticipation! I gained a stronger relationship with Jesus and all of the brave followers who sacrificed so much to glorify his Name and the Wisdom Jesus BLESSED this world with!
Please continue additional seasons on any network!
It’s beyond words how wonderful it was to see the apostles in this drama as well as the behind the scenes stories, that brought the whole time into present-day reality. I was only able to watch it on the NBC.com website because I don’t have cable nor do I get it as an ‘air station’. Please keep it where the everyday person can still watch it – please! It was so wonderful to watch! Thank you, each of you involved in this project, for doing such a terrific job that honors GOD. PLEASE KEEP A.D. ALIVE. Thank you and GOD… Read more »
We loved this series but had it recorded so would watch two at a time. The acting is top notch.
We were trying to find out when the next Season starts and so disappionted if it doesn’t continue. We would watch it on any network for sure.
i hope the show continues. It’s a great show
I loved it and I would really love to see a season 2. It’s so refreshing to see something like AD on prime time TV.
PLEASE CONTINUE THE SERIES PLEASE IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO ME AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS SERIES AND EVEN OTHERS LIKE IT BUT SPECIFICALLY A.D THE BIBLE CONTINUES TO CONTINUE FOR MANY MANY MORE YEARS TO COME I WANT A SEASON TWO AND CONTINUE TO SEE MANY MORE…..PLEASE MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
PLEASE CONTINUE THIS STORY IT CONTINUE THE SERIES PLEASE IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO ME AND I REALLY!!!!!!!!!!! WANT THE SERIES TO CONTINUE.
Love the AD season 1, but WHY did it end so abruptly with no cohesive ending.
more please
More! I loved it. This is the first time I have ever seen any program about the beginnings of the church. I have a hunger for Christ and I loved witching this with my wife.
Please produce another season. It is very informative, PLEASE!!!!!!
We loved the show!! I’ll be watching on whatever network it comes on.
Please continue this series it left me hanging I want more please Thank you and God Bless
This is an EXCELLENT series. Please continue them.I am not very knowledge about the Bible and find it interesting to learn about the history and events that took place in this interpretation.