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?
Yes I would pay for this programming. It’s a shame the world in which we live is so secular-humanist. Believers would love to have one quality show on prime time television. Would it really kill the execs to allow us one single faith based hour a week??
I am so so so unbelievably upset. I’ve been raised reading the Bible for 29 years, but for the first time in my life I’m actually UNDERSTANDING what I’ve been reading. I can now picture and visualize that these were actual events with actual people!!!! And it’s causing me to start researching and re-reading and asking questions I’ve never asked before. The Old Testament is definitely great, but the New Testamemt is where the here-and-now of OUR faith – the Body – comes into play. I would love to watch everything about Paul and end times!!! Please continue this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go to JW.or you can find research tools and ask any questions you might have.
I meant jw.org
I have been waiting foreverrrrrer for this show to come back on!!!!!! Seriously??? Cancelled???? My high school girls and i loved watching this together! It just makes the bible come more to life. And even had me researching the word to verify some things. So today i finally do some research as i thought the new series would be coming up soon , to find out i dont get to see it. There is tons left of this story and i pray yall reconsider. There is every other kind of show out there, how about trying something new different &… Read more »
I was so different disappointed that this series was cancelled. Is there any plan to bring it back???
I am disgusted that NBC rather show violence, immorality, unclean things, and negative moral. But then again it’s what the majority of the people want. Like on The Bible series it shows who only a few have true faith. And major of the opposers are like people today, take no note. Like Jesus Christ said in the days of Noah people will be. But one day people are going to wake up but by then it will be to late.
I’m so very very disappointed. I have been looking forward to watching this show since the last episode … constantly checking to see when it will air again…. this is a complete shame. Shame on nbc.
I’m very disappointed in NBC for cancelling A.D. It is an amazingly well-produced show that is gripping and appeals to a wide audience without being trashy like most shows they put on NBC nowadays. I WILL watch Season 2 online or on DVD if and when it is released. I can’t be left hanging like we were in the last episode! Although, thankfully we do know how things turn out when we read the Bible. I just really enjoyed this series that brought the Bible to life and am hoping and praying for new episodes. Keep it up Roma and… Read more »
Shame on you for canceling AD. With all the crap on television this was one we watched and enjoyed as a family and are saddened after finishing episode 12 that that was all!!!!! Talk about a cliff hanger.
Bring it back!!! Great actors, good writers, excellent series!
So disappointed in NBC canceling this awesome show. I loved the casting, the story lines, and the very real context of how this show was presented. Numbers usually reflect the network’s lack of promo $$ pumped into a show, and I’d bet this is the case here… not enough backing and too much “PC” thinking. Why should we be surprised.
Really? Christians have such a hard time watching good clean faith based television. I am very disappointed that NBC has cancelled series. Evidentially ABC thinks Christian television is good with the launch of their new series “Of Kings and Prophets”. I’ll watch it on-line if the new station materialize, or I’ll buy the DVDs. Thanks for nothing NBC.
My husband and I are very disappointed that the A. D. Series was cancelled. We never missed and episode and looked forward to the continued viewing.
I just bought the DVD collection of AD. I thought it was great. Had no idea I was going to be left hanging at the end. I agree, this is a disappointment. Hopefully they will read the comments and make the sequel to finish the story.
My husband and I just finished watching the first season disc set. We are left hanging thinking we had the whole series. Now finding out the 2nd season is not clear on happening is disappointing. Keep the actors!! I so want to see Saul become Paul!! Love how he is protraying Paul. Plus the rest of the wonderful cast. All things are possible with God.
It must happen!
Danya Swanson
Amen! Bring it back !!!!
So disappointed that this series has been cancelled, please ,please the world needs this to understand what jesus did for us all !!!!!!! Please do a second series thankyou
I will definitely watch the succeeding series of The Bible! To the creators of this show, good job & may God bless you more!