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 would totally love to see a second season!
Yes, I think(know) that it should continue. I know that we can not truely know how things were back then but this really helps in my faith or the growing of it. NBC needs to let it continue no matter what they consider “good ratings” of this series. It’s a hit with me and my family. All the Glory to God!
Me and my wife would love to see a second season!
This sounds like a bad call for NBC to cancel this series, hopefully FOX will pick it up!! Great series
i Would love to see a second season. It’s while some
Entertainment, some oF the scriptures were off but it’s tHe closest that has ever been televised. They need to say In The Name of The Lord Jesus Christ over all the Baptisms, after John’s baptism.
The last episode of season 1 left me wanting more. I hope to see season 2 on NBC.
this show should be kept on the network for a season two and many more to share all the stories of the bible it means so much to our culture to the ppl of the world to see these story’s of the bible i strongly believe it’s God act to put into the brain of such a talent person to share this to the world the best I’ve ever seen on television in my 24 years of life gods will I know it will continue his will will be done I know it has touched many lives to see this… Read more »
Love the series , I feel the director and producers but flesh and blood on their subjects it was great and were ever they show the next season I will follow. I could see how viewership went down but it wasn’t for the fantastic production and acting but the general public got lost out of the holy season. God Bless great work
I NEED THE SERIES…PLEASE CONTINUE!!!!
Absolutely I would watch it. I agree ABC not the best channel. Fox or history channel for sure. Even though I know how the story goes I love watching, and would love to see A.D. continue
I’m with you Mike. The only problem is we’re preaching to a Godless, liberal, channel that has as their audience, much of the same. We should be asking the FOX channel to pick it up. And, then, the ratings will zoom back up to where they were for The Bible series.
Seriously. I can now identify,like NEVER before with the times of the stories in the BIBLE. It makes me realize the bible’s stories are REAL!!! i BELIEVED, but now I UNDERSTAND!! May the brilliance of God work through this series. God bless the crew who brought this story to television.
PLEASE CONTINUE this series. It means so much to me!
I had looked forward to this show every week – taping it if I was not able to watch it as it aired. I learned much from it and it helped me understand everything better. Please continue with the series.
Yes this is the show all Christian will watch and understand the Bible and Jesus Word of truth. they will make a big mistake if they take it off. I watched all the shows and enjoyed it. My rating is 100%. As a christian we need more shows like AD. AD wa well done and tells the truth about how we Christians Believe in his word.
I and my daughter both enjoyed these a lot. Please continue making more! People need more shows like these instead of the nasty stuff on television today. Where ever they decide to show these, we will be watching. If it be God’s will they will continue!!! Please pray it will be.