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…
The mini series was one of the best shows on mainstream TV.
Love A.D please do a season 2 asap ty….even tho we all know what the bible says and its many stories nothing is better than watching it so cool love the cast they r amazing
Unreal. A really decent, family oriented show can not survive on TV. Meanwhile, the sleazy Kardasians and their trashy lives goes on and on.
Yes. It’s awesome
Absolutely! Never was it needed more than now! The story and drama is so powerful and compelling.
Of course I want to see season 2.
Would love to see it continued in any type of venue.
My friend and I loved the A.D. The Bible Continues Season 1 DVD. We just finished watching the whole thing this morning. We would watch Season 2 on any type of venue, TBN Broadcasting, Cable, Direct TV or another DVD. We are very disappointed that Season 2 was cancelled due to the Nielson ratings. Christians need to first pray. second get off their do nothings and start demanding and support by any means that programs like these continue. They complain about how terrible television is but when they have a chance to anything about it they do nothing. God help… Read more »
The Acts of the Apostles is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I’ve read and reread it, studied it and learned so much from it. While I always have the word of God to read, I have very much enjoyed the Bible series and A.D. the Bible Continues. I appreciate the fact that the power of God is not tried to be explained scientifically in the series. In a time of doubt and trouble around the world, especially with a new television series called Lucifer coming out, I would love to see a continuation of A.D. If not… Read more »
One of the best series on TV. Thank you Ronma and Mark! Jesus story, Bible,History..Family time to watch, new to some My husband and I watch together. It is sad so many crappy shows get greenlighted and good decent shows like this get cancelled.. How sad. Back to roku and youtube selective vids. TV has gone to hell
In a troubled world with unrest n distress ppl loosing jobs n homes
I think this can give ppl hope for tomorrow
I think they should make even a season two DVDs n season three I believe the market is there even cable this is one reason I start to to turn away from network TV
need more of this fantastic show
A season 2 is needed to resolve the ending of season 1. At least a few episodes to get Paul out on his first missionary journey and settle the reason that Peter was summoned at the end of season 1. Overall a good series considering the amount of poetic license taken in the writing. It does fill in a number of gaps in the Biblical account and if you keep in mind that historical records are scant, the personal stories are enjoyable and quite reasonable. Just remember it is all speculation outside the Biblical and historical records extant and you… Read more »
BRING it BACK. Have a back bone. Listening to ratings? I think that’s the devil whispering. Best show on television. BRING it back. PLEASE
IT is truly sad to see this wonder clean and blessed show be cancelled on this network. Did you know that if the show was not watched when it came on that it may have been recorded on the DVR and watched later. It is a sad time I had been looking forward to the new season.
Please carry it on. I loved every bit of that movie and I really enjoyed watching something that was pure and that i could trust watching. Please bring carry on.