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…
We will definitely watch season 2, season 2 of A.D. was about the only thing NBC has done that is worth watching.
Definitely need another season.
For the ratings to drop, what does it say about our society. We need to understand what sacrifices were made for having a belief. Reality shows are beating out God’s story. Such a shame! Please bring it back!!
yes, I want to follow this Story. I would watch it anywhere theY move it!
I would like to see a season 2 of ad the bible continues. With more about Peter, Paul and the apostles. Less about the Roman portion of it.
Oh please bring it back! It’s one of those where you wait for the next episode all week. Best series I have seen so far, they did an amazing job, even better execution than The Bible series in my opinion. So well worth watching and such a refeshing thing to watch in the midst of all that it’s shown in TV.
Yes we need another series. It is a great series to watch with the family and inspires great conversations.
Please continue either on NBC, Cable or sell the series on DVD. It is wonderful and needs to be seen.
We need Season 2 please.. I really love it.
Loved the series & look forward to more!
I LOVED this mini series and I would watch it faithfully! Pleas bring back a second season!!
Yes, please bring it back–we loved every episode. I believe it is a good portrayal of the Acts of the Apostles–inspirational, exciting and uplifting. We looked forward to watching it every Sunday night—finally decent TV programming with a wondedrful subject matter.
I would love to see a 2nd season and yes I would watch it elsewhere via cable.
Please continue
We really enjoyed the first 12 Episodes
I loved every bit of it. I hope you do bring it back, I am so on a cliff hanger right now. The seen with Peter. Also i do not know if you know anything about LUKE and Mark, but they came after Jesus was hung on the cross, that would be interesting to see, Luke and Mark were taught by Peter, Paul, and John. I hope you make a 2 season of this AD the bible continues. It is what the world needs. We are so lost when it comes to god and his son Jesus. I will pray… Read more »