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 thought the Series was slow but picked up steam. I think the base of Christians should really support this Series so it allows non-believers to stubble on to it to check it out. This was and can be a great tool to reach the masses.
Please support this Series for the Glory of our Savior Jesus Christ!
For His Glory,
Craig
Powerful and thought provoking! The last show has me turning to the Bible to see what happens next and that’s a good thing!
Very much enjoyed The Bible and AD The Bible continues. I don’t imagine that NBC would continue it if they’re not making enough money from it, but I would hope that the History Channel, A & E, or another cable network would pick this up, it was well acted and very educational.
I have very much enjoyed the show and would DEFINITELY watch a 2nd season, but alas, I’m sure I’m only one of a few, thus the low ratings. If the show survives I’m sure it will not be on NBC, and I can understand. It costs money to produce such shows and if the numbers aren’t there, well it just can’t be afforded. I wish the show well and hope to see more of it.
This series has brought my young adult children and my husband and I back to watching a show together. It has been a blessing in so many ways and opens up great conversations. Thank you for your obedience in making this program. Sure hope it continues.
Please consider this series. I can not watch on Sunday nights, but I come to your website to watch it through the week.
I personally really enjoyed watching this show! The acting was terrific! Please continue I loved it and looked forward to watching it every week. . My only suggestion would be to maybe make it a 2 hr show each week, less weekly shows.
thank-you so much
I loved watching the series “AD: the Bible Continues.”
PLEASE DO produce a second series, with the same cast! The season finale left off during the most important time, which is Peter and Paul’s road to Rome. THAT will find even more viewers! This series has brought NBC and The History Channel a spectacular high-budget, high-quality mini-series! Many more will watch! Please, forge ahead with the next installment!
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed each episode. We even had others watch and so very informative. It would be very disappointing to have the series cancelled because there is so much more to learn, And we didn’t exactly like the ending. It left you hanging. If Downing and Burnett need to go to the cable channel, then they should do it. Maybe it is just the NBC network as I was surprised at the drop in ratings.
I love this show. I am hoping that there will be a season 2. It is TV worth watching.
I am a Buddhist and I love the show. I love the historical perspectives, as I’m a bit of a student of history. The dynamic between the Romans on the Christians and Jews is a fascinating portrayal of human nature. Would love to see as historically accurate as possible, a continuance of this
The reason this excellent series isn’t watched by more of the 18-49 year age group is that they have “more important” things on their minds. A little Christian/Jewish history couldn’t hurt anyone, even if they don’t believe. KEEP THE SERIES on some network, PLEASE!!
Yes, I like the show. Keep it going!
Please do another season of AD The Bible. Loved every single episode. Was really sad to see it end. So looked forward to watching it on Sunday evenings.
I LOVE watching this show!!! please please continue this very much interesting and super educated series… I hope all countries could watch this not even in the USA but all over the world…
Very good show– everyone knows the story leading up to the death of Jesus. The aftermath is not as known.
Please renew the series.