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…
was really looking forward to season 2 of AC the Bible Continues. Love the program,love the actors, was true to the book of acts. I’ve even watched it in YouTube. And I can’t get it there anymore. . Thank you for a awesome program.
Please keep this worthwhile program on the air. What it may lack in accuracy of detail (ancient Near Easterners with distinct Gaelic accents) it more than makes up for in inspiration and spiritual depth. Since junk programs like so-called reality shows “Big Brother” , Mark Burnett’s successful “Survivor” and the various Real Housewives of wherever, which basically glorify dog eat dog Darwinian competition, continue to stay on the air, it shows TV producers and seemingly the majority of American viewers have no taste and no concern for the mental, emotional and spiritual content of their TV viewing. Blatant trash tends… Read more »
I’d buy the dad without a second thought
It would be a crime if the series were not renewed next season, Although some may object to this or that detail, I believe that it portrays the “spirit” of what was going on in those times. Also, for the most part, it has the potential to help reconcile some of the differences in at least two–if not ll three– of the major Abrahamic faiths!
I’m looking forward to a season 2.
I would love to see a season 2!
Yes, I would love a season 2. Of course I know the ending, but these shows make people open their bibles and dig deeper. Not sexy and flashy enough I guess.What a shame.
Absolutely I would like to see another season of the Bible AD. The first season was the best I have ever seen. If the main channels will not show it I am sure a cable channel will.
It’s on air at the moment in australia and we can’t miss out on an episode every sunday.We need season 2 out now please ! ! !
Yes “WE” need it to continue. We really enjoyed this series.
I hope this series returns. It was well written and acted, and I’ll watch it in whatever format it is presented. We used to wait for every Sunday to watch the new episode. I’d watch it in any format but would love to watch it on NBC!
One of the best I’ve ever seen , it really came to life , great job . Hope to see this continuel
Let’s GO For a SEASON 2
It is pretty sad that a good show had such bad ratings, it lacked what people like these days. I will watch this series wherever it airs, hopefully Netflix to watch it at my own choice of time. As for the people pointing fingers about Christians being discriminated, this may be true, but bashing them back disproves what Christianity is about, LOVE, HUMILTY, FORGIVNESS =GRACE! We should live by a living example, not responding in judgment and hate, the opposite of our Lord! To those who don’t know Jesus , I pray you feel His love in a way you… Read more »
I hope this series returns. It was well written and acted, and I’ll watch it in whatever format it is presented.
i would love to see the second one coming!!! We watched this on Sunday nights after we returned from church. We didn’t like the way it ended. I think you really need to bring in another one!! Thank you so much!!