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 found the series to be pioneering and informative. I agree that is content is timely in today’s age. It also has served as a subject of discussion among the family where the other elements of the show that were considered excellent were required more development an exclamation. Either way a show like this should be done and improved upon as time goes on. I applied the network for taking it on and suggest that it gives a little more license to the content and the ratings has the show attempts to fill in holes or information that is not… Read more »
I enjoyed the show every Sunday Night. I always looked forward to seeing the show. You should bring back the show.
It’s unfortunate that they will not air this because it was an awesome opportunity for me to share the stories of the Bible with my 11 year old daughter as she loved it. However, I do understand ratings rule the networks. There needs to be a way to support this through other means such as pledge drives through Christian radio or other media sources. I am certainly hopeful that a means can be created to support what I thought was an excellent way to spread the word of God.
Please, please bring it back . It’s A show that needs to be seen these days and years to come… PLEASE BRING IT BACK ..
Bring it back please!
Watching the series, there were issues like, their wife’s taking matters into their hands, women talking back & some love making? In the Bible I didn’t know they even had wives! Anyways that’s Hollywood & you need change for this generation to understand, which is the point! Whatever it takes to get the message across! It’s important these types of mini-series are on instead of: shoot, kill, murder, pillage, rape & burn movies, you get enough of that on the news. I don’t think NBC will fold if another season is on & not everyone has cable. I didn’t know… Read more »
Yes, A D the Bible continues should be brought back for a Season 2. It is time for the mainstream networks to begin to see the light and broadcast more events like this. There is enough junk for people to see. It is offensive to deny the majority of the country who is Christian. Hope the network executives understand.
Yes, it is about time for the mainstream networks to air more faith-based stories , mini series and/or movies. There is already enough junk for the mainstream to view. Not continuing the series is a slap against Christians everywhere. Get with it NBC!!!
I truly hope that some network will pick this up for more seasons. It was produced with the same quality as American Odyssey.
Definitely continue the series on network TV.. Was looking forward to it! Hard to believe ratings were so poor. So unique and refreshing. Give it another season. To cancel goes to show what network TV cares about – ratings over providing selection of quality viewing.
I am so bummed! I looked forward to this show every Sunday. This really stinks!
Really enjoyed the series would love to see more great shows like this instead of all the garbage on.tv now
I love the Show, The Bible a.d.we need more Christian movie’s instead of all the filthy and nudity movie’s.
ABSOLUTELY – I would continue to follow the series wherever it is shown (not HBO or those premium channels that I do not pay for). Networks, TNT, USA all OK- Please keep it coming. A Yearly or Quarterly would be OK too.
Please continue this series. It strengthen my faith so much, that I wanted more!!! We do not have enough family shows on TV, anymore. I looked forward to watching it, every single Sunday, that when I couldn’t watch it, I found myself going to NBC, to catch up on the ones that I missed. I can’t wait for the next season to come out. Please don’t put it on cable. Some people do not have cable and rely on local channels. We want more Christian shows, on regular TV. I have been so tired of the violence that’s all over… Read more »
I thought the series was excellent, I recorded every week and watched, because of a time conflict with something on the evenings and I always wanted to rewind or if I wanted someone else to watch it. I wonder if the ratings were down because many of my friends said they recorded it as well? I know that some it was over dramatized, but the important stuff was there, and will familiarize those who don’t know the Bible stories with the characters. Please bring it back and continue where it left off–I will watch it again where ever it shows… Read more »