As expected, NBC has decided not to move forward with a second season of AD: The Bible Continues. The 12 episode mini-series wrapped on June 21st and has now been cancelled.
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 Jesus 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 ratings saw severe drops in the weeks that followed. The finale hit a series low with a 0.7 demo and 3.56 million.
Though NBC doesn’t want a second season, the story isn’t over. Producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have said that their writers have been working on scripting season two for some time.
Now that NBC has cancelled the show, the producers see it as a tentpole for the launch of OTT. They have been working on the online channel since partnering with MGM to form United Artists Media Group last fall. The online channel is envisioned as a base for faith and religion-based content but won’t be launched until 2016 or 2017.
The castmembers of AD are being released from their contracts because the next incarnation won’t be filmed for awhile. As a result, there may be some recasting when production resumes.
What do you think? Should NBC have cancelled this show? Will you watch the next season online when it becomes available or prefer to watch on DVDs. Would you pay to watch this kind of programming?
I have not watched a weekly television program for ten years as there was nothing worth my time to watch until AD was aired. I cannot express my level of disappointment and frustration that there will not be a season two on NBC. I’m throwing out my televisions. I have had enough!
Frankly, I haven’t been watching NBC until this was on.
Hate that it was cancelled. Our family watched and enjoyed. There is nothing decent to watch all summer so getting out the books. NBC is a disappointment. Hope we can catch season 2 somewhere soon.
I really enjoyed the show sometimes I would have to watch it on demand but I made sure I watched it I would watch another season if it came out
Is it a surprise that nbc canceled it? No. Need to clear the time slot for more mindless sitcoms. Why put programming on the air that promotes values and faith. Wish the streaming of this show wasn’t so far off.
Yes it is a crying shame that they will not air Christian shows. There’s much nonsense on TV now that is unfit for adults much less children.
Yes we will watch where ever it is shown.
Loved the show. NBC should reinstate it, even for once a year.
Very sad that NBC dropped the second AD, hope to see on line or other broadcast fabulous show and can’take wait.
Play season two. Great show
Very disappointed. My kids and I looked forward to it every week! Hopefully they will decide to resume filming and release it on DVD. In such a secular world with Godless programming, this was very welcomed and appreciated. St. Michael, pray for us.
I am so sorry to hear it really was cancelled…I hope you do bring it back with another season. There still were lots of viewers. You had it on a main TV station. What about a cable network like TLC or FYI…I could see either of those airing it and people would not need to pay.
I am very sad that they cancelled AD The Bible Continues! I loved watching this show every Sunday with my family! We didn’t even get to see the season finale of it! Please Bring it back!!!
So sorry to hear of this show’s cancellation. I really enjoyed it. Now it was left with no real finish. Sad that people would rather watch CIA Alien type shows than shows about the Bible. I would not pay for it. I already pay enough for my cable. There isn’t any show I would pay additional for. Sad commentary on viewers to see a lot of the shows that have been renewed. Who is watching them?
NBC along with other stations are living out satan’s deceit -the truth is only for those who seek it – “He was in the world, the world was made by Him, but the world knew Him not.”
I am so sorry to see it cancelled
So sad…..I really wanted to find out what happens next. We enjoyed watching the story unfold past the Easter story. So many channel only show the crucifixion and the Resurrection but they never continue on from there. It was nice to see what happened after that……why cancel? So what if you don’t have the ratings you want, a least something good is being shared and hope is there.
I really enjoyed the show. I agree. Most are about the Passion. It was a chance to learn more about what happened as time went on with the Apostles and Christianity. Guess it was just not exciting enough for today’s viewers who seem to want CIA or Alien action shows. I’m definitely getting tired of reality shows too
Out of all the reality crap on TV (which you probably like, which is why you didn’t use it as an example), you choose alien action shows? I wish there were more of them. How many are there except the new X-Files which I think is only for 1 season? Even Falling Skies is ending.