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 have loved the shows. And would really like another season.
Love the show! Don’t cancel!!!
Please bring us more of the Bible A.D. I looked forward to watching this every Sunday!
Please bring this show back!!! So good, people need to know about this!
Absolutely! !
I love the show.
I try to watch the series every Sunday but if I can’t I make sure to DVR the show so that I do not miss any episode I hope that NBC will have a second series and continue this great story.I don’t think NBC advertises the show enough I think there would be more viewers if they did more advertising.
We watched weekly and loved the AD series. While I’ve grown up knowing the account from the bible, the way Burnet and Downey wove the story together was so intriguing. Considering the consequences to the temple and the Jewish leaders after the crucifixion is just something I had never done, but it certainly made the scriptures come alive. I loved going back to research after each episode to see how on target the storyline was. I thought the acting was excellent .
So would love another season!
I would absolutely love to keep watching this show. I was looking for the recording from last night and didn’t see it, my heart sunk! Every week, my husband and I look forward to watching this more than anything else that is on TV… Please don’t let this one go – it’s a very important show!
I hope that NBC will have a second season I love watching the show and though I cannot watch it every Sunday night I DVR the show to make sure I do not miss any episode please keep the show alive
Rhonda:
June 21st was the Season Finale. I know, I was disappointed too!!! Let’s just pray it comes back real soon.
Absolutely would liove another season
My husband and I really enjoyed this series. I waited for several weeks of the series to record, sou we could watch more than 1 st a time. I was disappointed that the series stopped with “the Abomination”. We would definitely watch season 2. God has written the account. Make it happen. And thank you for what you are doing. God Bless.
I’m happy that NBC put this on. Thanks to Roma Downey and her husband. My husband and I appreciated the fact that A.D. the Bible was presented, however, we got a little tired of Pilate. We do not believe that Pilate was that much involved after the crucifixion of Jesus. I do not think the series followed the book of Acts accurately. However, I realize, also that its Hollywood and there are expectation, as well as making a good story. We do think that it could have been done in 6 weeks, without all the advertising. Then there could be… Read more »
I loved this show and could hardly wait for the next episode. I thought the people playing the different characters were well cast and helped me understand why they did what thy did. It would be a shame if next season is canceled because only so many million of people watched. If only one person becomes better because they watched and became a better person it would be well worth the price.
Yes I really enjoyed it! Please bring it back.
Love this series please bring it back for Christs sake