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…
Please continue the series. The series is a great one. I would watch it on any channel.
Keep it!!! We love it!
look forward to it every week. Have seen every episode. Love the acting – especially Peter and Pilate. A second season with the same actors would be great.
I pray there is a second season and more. The episodes are a treasure to. The soil and a reminder of His lover or us. I also ask/pray it is on a network that is free, so that all may view/hear the word of God.
Please keep this series. It’s unique compared to the other programs.
I believe this is the most important series on TV to watch. The audience can clearly see that the struggles of the early church are just as real as the struggles to spread the Gospel today.
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone that believes”
Romans 1:16 NKJV
I wish it would keep going til the end of the Bible. So good!!
I would love to see the series continue this is the movie epic and it has changed my life NBC please keep up the good work I find myself in love with this show.I truly believe is changing the lives of many people in the world today you are doing a great justice to the television world.don’t stop I say yes lets continue as Jesus. Would say ithanks again nbc. For a fabulous season 1. Dont stop now.Keep those cameras rolling!
Best show on TV I really hope they don’t cancel it. You can tell the writers are trying very hard to stay true to the scripture. Love it, please don’t cancel it.
i love the series. I truly hope that a second season is considered
Margarita says deinitely show the second season it a learning experiences for people to know god, please don’t show it on cable channel. I can wait to see the serious to continue. ….people need to have faith and believe that there is a god who love the world and he people’s.
My husband and I have been hooked from the very first episode. Hope they keep it going.
Yes please keep it going.at first it was so great couldn’t wait then I stopped watching but I kept my dvr just in case well.OMG it is great. I love it. please keep it going. We will all be blessed even by just watching it. It is about God work and Jesus. How he loved the people in the world we all need God and Jesus on out lives. If by chance it does not go to another year please, keep me informed weather. R. Downey and her husband go a different route will buy the series if ao. Thank… Read more »
Yes to a season 2. My husband and i love this series
It’ has been very helpful to me. It makes me remember my school years with the nuns while going to catholic school.