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 my wife and would like for this show to continue. I was surprised the way episode 12 ended. Please consider another series/
Please continue with season 2. I enjoyed every episode.
Loved the series. Saw them all can’t wait to see more
Enjoyed the series. Please continue
Please bring it back, my husband and I really enjoyed it., it was well written and easy to follow, making it easy to follow his word.
Yes! Yes! Yes! My husband and I enjoy watching it together and comparing to scripture!
Absolutely Powerful !!!! When my 15 yr old son can’t wait for Sunday evening to watch the
next episode….it has to be great !! PLEASE renew for season 2 !!!!!
Excellently depicted series. Brought the Acts of the Apostles alive to us. We really want to see a second season. We have been spreading the word how good it is.
Yes!!!
YES! Please bring back AD. Our family looks forward to it every Sunday! We record every show. My only critical comment is our children 10 and 13 like to watch, and there have been a few scenes that I believe were too violent for them, such as the soldier who was asked to kill himself. But we love the series as a whole. We understand the producers want to keep it real, but keeping families in mind for extraordinary violent scenes might get the numbers back up.
Bring it back. We need to see Paul’s missionary journeys
Loved the show…please have a second season.
Please renew this show. I find this show extremely informative about the beginnings of Christianity.
Please keep this show on the air. we need more like it Was the last show june 23rd?
This is the most of NBC I have ever watched .
Please! Continue this wonderful bible told life events.
I really Love watching AD The Bible.