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…
Wonderful series! Please bring us more of the story of our Christian faith. How wonderful to see the Bible come alive. Exciting to see Peter and other apostles grow in courage and forward the Christianity we know today. Please keep this on for all to enjoy and learn about Jesus who loved us so much that He’d die for us!
My husband and I have enjoyed the mini series of AD the Bible continues……..please continue this series as it seems the world has forgotten the Bible stories and the importance of the man/God Jesus Christ the son of our God……my hopes and prayers are that eventually people will start watching this more and more by recommendation by those who are watching it! ……these area difficult times in our world and we all need to be/and get connected to our Holy Father
Yes, I was anticipating watching the show today, June 28, it is not on, very disappointed!
Absolutely yes. I want to see more.
Absolutely! This is one of the best shows thus far! I am disappointed it’s already over!
My husband (a pastor ) and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this every Sunday night! We’ll be so disappointed if there’s not a continuation. Thank you for your hard work and faithful dedication! God bless!
Well done series, please brIng it back.
yess
It’s what needed at this time. To remove from the network would be an travesty. We must seek salvation and this mini series is a reminder.
Yes, please renew the series on Network TV NBC!! I DVR every episode and look forward to watching and learning. I think it is a great way to share and expose these stories to more people that are watching network television. It is a wonderful and informative show and really helps bring the writings/stories to life.
YES!! We have 4 kids. Ages 3, 6, 8, 11. We thought it was again tonight and was very sad to find out last week was the finale. My 3 yr old daughter says she wants to see Jesus who died on the cross. We make it family popcorn movie night. Please renew the show, it has helped me at age 42 better understand the Bible. THANK YOU for educating me and my family.
I really enjoyed the AD series, because it was dead on to our Bible believes. We had talks about the series every Sunday in our Bible classes.
Please renew
Please bring The Bible Series back to NBC I do understand that not many people may watch it. But for that same very reason it should be kept to come on around Easter for the short amount that it does. And besides in today’s world we need the bible series to air on t.v., non-cable, and cable. I am going to pray that it keeps coming on.
Yes, yes Yessss! The world needs to hear the Message of Christ
My husband and I LOVE this show! We came home tonight so we could be here when it started and discovered it wasn’t on! I thought that tonight was the last night and not last week. Totally bummed! We finally had a good show to look forward to every week and not only is the season over, but talking about not bringing it back??? Oh no!!! Please have a 2nd season!