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 would have loved to seen more. I want to see the rest of the story.
This is one of best shows I’ve ever watched. It’s a huge disappointment to see NBC cancel the second season. Wonderful writers and flow of story. Great acting and directing. I will be looking for the second season watch it on whichever network picks it up.
Finally a show that I can watch without concern of who might enter the room! I am hopeful that someone will pick up this show and carry forward despite the ratings. NBC, you need to realize that the Christians throughout the country are hungering for this type of programming. Why the decision to cancel this show, but renew shows that are based on anything but Christian values? Maybe , another network will pick up this show.
You are most certainly correct we hunger for truth. And half the time we get fed the wrong truth, half the time false religion feed us scraps. That’s why I do daily Bible reading and I’m conscientious more than ever of what I watch. Jesus taught us to remain holy and unblemished in God’s eyes. Are we safe guarding our hearts and minds and not be influenced around the wicked world around us? What does God think of us when we are viewing thing that are bad in God’s eyes? Does our actions show that we are self sacrificing to… Read more »
Unbelievably disappointed. Just heard the news. NBC…are you kidding me? Absolutely devastating you could make this decision! I loved this show! Mark & Roma, please continue season 2 in whatever way you can. Thousands of Christians watched this show and there was a genuine hope for this type of programming I was counting the days until season 2….NBC PLEASE RECONSIDER!
Shame on NBC and the other networks for all the obnoxious programming that remains on the air. It’s SAD and DISCOURAGING that they won’t allow even 1 hour a week of faith inspired programming! Prayers to Mark and Roma for producing such quality shows. THANK YOU! My family would pay to watch this kind of programming. Looking forward to ‘RISEN’ coming to the big screen in February.
I just checked the Internet to see when Season 2 of A.D. The Bible Continues would start and found this article that NBC has canceled it. Shame on NBC! I watched all of Season 1 of A.D. The Bible Continues every Sunday. Looked forward to it every Sunday, and was looking forward to Season 2. But no, the networks would rather have shows like Lucifer, which is another name for the Devil, and other shows like it than to keep on a good Christian program. Please bring back A.D. The Bible Continues.
Not only do they have the program called Lucifer, but it also have a new program call me you and the apocalypse. And then they keep Grimm on which is about the Grim Reaper slaying demons and other horrific creatures. They don’t cancel that, but they cancelled Christian wholesome program. But I go to jw.org and I found a lot of wholesome programs and videos for my children you should check it out.
Exactly! It is timefor decent television again. I loved watching this series and I am very disappointed NBC chose to cancel.
Please do not cancel this show it’s a great show.. We own it to ourselves to know what happened after the dead of christ how christianity was spread through the work of the apostles..great cast members btw.
Check out Jw.org for further info on how Christianity spread, and the prophecy Jesus and his faithful Apostles foretold is taking place.
No why the show has been cancelled, I was enjoying that show its great story about The Best Great Story of Prophets please considering to bring back this show
The show was a breath of fresh air to the somewhat stale TV shows – I enjoyed it each week – please reconsider and bring it back!!!!!! Loved it !!!
Please bring back The Bible, it WAS the best we have seen in a long time.
I think it would have had great ratings if it was over say 3 nights or at least for 2 hr showings, 1 hr a week for that many weeks I believe was the problem. It was fantastic, was looking forward to season 2
And of course they have a new show called Me, You and the Apocalypse. Showing a priest without faith, everyone in the world going wild. But they take off A.D Bible series the world’s gone mad!
The Bible & AD: The Bible Continues was & will continue to be an informative viewing about Biblical times. I will DEFINITELY WATCH IT ONLINE OR DVD. It should be offered through our cable companies too. My family enjoyed watching it & it further enhanced our learning from lessons taught from our Pastor, our elders, & personal seeking of the word. It is truly a shame that NBC would drop the ball like that but it was in a way EXPECTED. The enemy will find a way to blind the people & try and keep negativity on TV. FOX now… Read more »
Exactly, I can’t believe they will renew scandal which is a show about immorality. Saturday Night Live which I never watch nothing wholesome for the children. Telenovela a new show, about a soap opera. And now Lucifer on Fox, 2 Tim 3:1-5 talks about the last days we’re certainly in it
AD the Bible Continues enhanced my knowledge and love for the word of God made visual. It was presented realistically and exquisitely. I and many friends of mine eagerly watch the series that I have recorded over and over to study the bible. I would love for the series to continue.
Please go to Jw.org for further information about the Bible
My husband and I have been sharing this series with our oldest and it has touched all of us. The excitement of seeing the dedication and the disciplining of His followers being convicted by the Holy Spirit. We will pray for the continuation of Gods work through this show. We brought the Bibles out and followed along and we cheered and were moved by the Holy Spirit. Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” AMEN