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…
YES, please continue this most important story. I believe your ratings would have been much higher if you had made people more aware of the program. I happened upon it and love it. I shared it with others who were very excited about it -no one knew it existed.
Yes -please keep it. I would like to see more of Paul’s journey as well as the other apostles’. I hope it comes out on DVD.
Yes, Please! This is the Best show that has been on TV in a long time!
“YES ” continue please I loved the series.
I loved the show. I was like “finally something good to watch on tv”. So yes…please continue it.
I have enjoyed the show the lastt 12 weeks I believe they have made learning about the early days of Christianity exciting. I myself have had a wide range of emotions watching the show. I know I can’t be the only one.
I LOVED the AD series. Anxiously awaiting season 2. Although, I liked the format of the Bible series better. Two hours over fewer weeks. If changed, ratings would definitely improve. Great writing, acting and special effects. Simply Moving!!
I enjoyed the series tremendously and will watch a second season.. With my busy schedule I had to DVR the series and watch it during the week. If it goes back to cable I will watch it there with my grandchildren.
I loved the series. I pray that they will continue it!! It had a great impact on my small bible study group!! Fantastic!! The book of Acts came to life!!!
Yes — keep it going. I loved the series, although I did not get the same sense from my family.
YES! PLEASE! We watched every episode and we hardly ever watch TV.
My opinion is to keep it going…..there’s not much on at 9p.m. Sunday evenings if you’re not into the weekly British Public TV sitcoms! Perhaps they will learn from past mistakes, and Season 2 will be even better yet!
keep it!
Please continue we want to follow what happen to Paul’s journey.
I will watch season two wherever it plays. Considering other shows being renewed, why not renew AD for another season. I think many more people watched it online after it aired because there was so little advertising for it. So, the numbers may be low.