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…
Hopefully the series will continue. This has become a family watch as we gather each Sunday, watch and discuss how it lines up with the Word. It has brought the men & women in the bible to life. We would be very disappointed to hear it has been cancelled.
It’s a great show that needs to be watched. It gives hope and really good for people of the world. With all the violent shows on the A.D bible continues is finally a series that makes you feel better.
Would really like to see this continued. I for one am not ashamed of the Gospel and would really love to see more of it brought to life on the screen. Thanks to Roma, Mark & NBC more people will have the opportunity to see God’s word in action, as it was lived out 2000 years ago. May also show salvation to a lost soul.!!
Please you guys should do everything possible to bring season2.This tv series is the best.
I am very disappointed the series is over. I had looked forward to the next season. Now I’m understanding it may not return. This would be a mistake. I believe that the next season would have an even greater audience.
I started watching late in the season and after that I looked forward to every episode since. There could be others like me.
I so enjoyed the the way the insight to the characters that was portrayed. What a great cast of actors !
I am very disappointed the series is over. I had looked forward to the next season. Now I’m understanding it may not return. I did watch every episode. This would be a mistake. I believe that the next season would have an even greater audience. Are there others like me?
Yes , yes and yes , I like to see a second season of AD
My husband and I were crushed when we turned on the TV last night and found out that AD was no longer on. We had no idea that the following week was the final episode. It ended so abruptly that we were sure another episode was to follow. This had become our Sunday night time together. It was a wonderful way to follow the book of Acts. We want a second series!
yes i would watch season 2 I’m disappointed thats it’s over.
Yes, please renew. My husband and I watch the series every Sunday!
me really unawre of works of apostles of jesus christ. but this serial makes me loving them more.and more..plz dont end it..
No kidding, this is a very interesting series, and although not perfectly cued to the Bible, it’s a great depiction of the period and the characters – and the sacrifices regular people made for what they saw and believed. A MUST to renew at least on cable.
Definitely need to continue! Only show on tv worth watching…all of these reality shows should be taken off! Nothing decent on TV for Christian families to watch so why not continue this awesome show! Thanks to AD producers..May God bless your endeavors!
Though not always accurately portrayed… it was still something I enjoyed watching and challenged me to differentiate between what was Biblically accurately and what was fiction. While some may be critical of these differences, I would rather watch this series than 99.9% of what else is shown on TV. One must realize that it is entertainment and be clear in telling uneducated believers and non believers that this is the case. With that being stated, I still do not know why they cannot portray the Biblical report accurately. If properly done, there is nothing more exciting than that and many… Read more »
Renew it! But keep it more to biblical facts.
I Love A.D. The Bible Continues! Please bring it back! I love all the actors and actresses on the show (especially Adam Levy as Peter)
This was a great series. We would love to see a second series. We used it as a small group setting at our home. We all enjoyed it.