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…
While I can give you examples of how this series does not seem to match some scriptures, it has definitey provoked me to go back to check scriptures for accuracy and to start discussions about interpretation. That makes it a keeper for me. Would like to see show continue.
Our family really enjoyed having a show we could watch together as a family. It seems that there aren’t to many shows that families can watch together on television today. We hope to see that A. D. continued, we new the story but it was fun to watch as it unfolded every week. The kids were always excited to watch every Sunday night and said its “8 A.D. is on!!!” . Thanks NBC for airer this program we will be watching any programs that are of this quality.
Yes!! I’ll watch on nbc or another network. Loved the ad series!!
hI MY NAME IS aLEX AND i HAVE A A FEW FRIENDS WHO SAW THE SERIES AND REALLY WANT THE SECOND SEASON TO CONTINUE AND MAKE it more interesting but if thats not to be then “oh well” but i myself would be very honered to find out if the roman emipre get =s out of jeruselem and weather or not jesus showes himself to the high priest or to the empoer or tho the romans himself cause i was extreamly upset when he was always killing people etc… I would like for jesus to show himself when they talk… Read more »
I am so disappointed that the series was abruptly ended. This was a weekly family event and we had discussions around the series after each episode aired. I would definitely watch the series wherever it may air as well as purchase the DVD. I do hope that this series is made into an epic movie. The cancellation truly shows the state of mind this culture is in at this time. Anything biblical or Christian related is tabled rather sooner than later while shows that promote all things immoral gets the highest ratings.
I looked forward every week for the next episode. I will record and watch the AD the bible continues where ever I can find it.
I love it. Probably my favorite show. Of course bring it back.
Love the show! Please bring it back.
bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have enjoyed this so much. I have taped every week. There r to many that wasn’t too say this is not true bible. I am sure things are not word for word. There are so many movies out there that people never considered being politically correct. Yet we fill our mines with what ever is put on the air waves. I have seen by this series that most people that call their self CHristians are spineless. Spineless to the fact of stepping out for Christ even if it demands our very life. As a follower is Christ this movie… Read more »
I agree with this truly was an inperation
We THOROUGHLY enjoyed the series abd were disappointed that it ened. We look forward to seeing the continuation of A.D. The Bible Continues. It doesn’t matter what time of year but there are not any shows today that focus on thd Bible. Please bring it back? History is important to all, regardless of background or beliefs . Thank you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mini-series. I appreciated the diverse “skin colors” for the apostles. Please bring it back for a second season!
This show must continue. With all the troubles our nation is going through, this show reinforces faith and hope from the love of God.
I love this series, and i would love to see the next season!
it should continue for at least a couple more episodes.
Please bring AD the bible continues back to television!!! I absolutely love this show. I really loved all the cast and they did an amazing job bringing the story of Jesus to life.. Please bring g it back??!!