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 enjoyed the series for its contemporary feel to ancient times. There is so much content to these episodes historically, politically and religiously. It is too bad that it does not meet an industry standard for ratings while incredibly cheaply produced “reality” shows dominate the networks ad nauseum. How inspired is life on a cooking or modeling show compared with the ultimate sacrifices of Christians in a pagsn world. Complacency dominated back then and the lessons of the past are reviewed in this series. I hope it finds a forum for those with the insight to watch.
We loved this show. My husband was not raised with God or church in his life. He is really interested in the story of Christ and learning more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!! I never thought this would happen after 30 years of Marriage! Thank you for producing this story to help people who just don’t know! I hope they continue the series to educate everyone on the teachings of Christ! So many lessons to be learned! Thank you for this opportunity for people to learn!!!
Enjoyed this so much, left me hanging, what happens next, how can you do this, the acting was good, the story line is beyond belief. Please continue, so disspointed .
We never missed a one. It was the most riveting series I have seen. I would love a season 2. It was wonderful.
Please continue the series, our family loved it…we want more episodes, it was left in limbo!
Please bring season 2… this was an incredible series…
Season One finale left me waiting for season 2 to begin. Hope it comes back on NB or another station.
Please keep this series going. Great in every way! One of the only shows I watch!
Very Very Disappointed made me not want watch anything on NBC. Show they go for what make the most money. Why did they start it if they was not going to show all?
please do season 2…thanks and praise the lord…
BRING IT BACK EVERYONE HERE WATCHES EVERY SUNDAY. It really brings me closer to my faith and has helped me and changed my new life by helping out at a food pantry volunteering for my church and much more! It’s the only thing my family LOVES to watch!
Please dont cancel this series this helps me understand the bible I watch this every week and have been looking for it wondering what happen….I finally think they have something I can understand because I’m not a big reader more of a visual person!!!! Thank You for this their are so many that need this and want this it helped me through my week and to understand the bible. ……PLEASE BRING IT BACK
It amazes me that there would even be a question about whether there should be a season 2. Any drop in viewership is most likely due to NBC’s greed and the volume of commercial breaks that total destroy the viewer’s ability to get involved. I record each episode so I can skip the commericials and would without a doubt abandon NBC in a minute to follow the series.
We loved the series! It brought the Bible to life for us. We are Christians and we desire as much knowledge of the Bible as possible. This series does much to satisfy this need. We want more!
Would love to see it come back. Enjoyed it every week.