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…
Yes keep it
Yes by all means keep it going. We need more shows like this. All the biblical aspects are their even though it it had some extra scenes in it that were not recorded in the bible but recorded in history.
Yes please, we are enjoying it very much
Keep the series. I look forward to watching it every week!
Love this show ,yes there are fictional stories added but historically according to the time period.
Please renew this series, it is one of the best programs on TV this year. I love it!
Keep it, I feel it was a challenge against the NBA playoffs and Finals without them I think the ratings would have been much higher. Grateful the network was willing to show something faith-based and true. We are especially grateful since we don’t have cable or direct TV at this time. Voting to bring back another season!!
Please keep the show. It gives us a real insite into not just early Christianity, but also the politics and everyday life of that era.
If they can’t improve the scripts by just giving the Biblically historic facts, then it should be cancelled. The story has been more fiction than Bible so far. Very disappointing.
It’s mixed with recorded history
PLEASE PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW GOING!!! I love it and don’t miss an episode. Why would you want to cancel a family friendly show. I want to learn more about the apostles and their journey’s while spreading the words of Christ. There is to much violence and sex on TV. Please take a stand and continue this series
I would this to continue. It shows the world the our father has for us . The miracles. The joy tha t we as Christians feel. Also on the other hand it shows the harshness the people had to go thru.people keep them coming. Thes how is very educational. I copy it and we watch together as a family. That you doing this.. God bless you all
Love it!!! Please don’t cancel it.
Love it!!! Pleasw don’t cancel it.
Please keep it on, or get it picked up by TBN. The show is awesome,!!! Best thing on TV agreed.. Funny TV would keep Empire and can the bible.
The best thing on TV. Keep it please.
Yes please keep it! It reminds me to be humble and loving . To truly forgive. And to love above all else.