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 am so disappointed this the highlight of our Sunday night
I am also disappointed the show was cancelled. It was informative And looked forward to see it. Hope it comes back
I am in no way religious,however, that being said do find the stories of the bible interesting. This series, is so well done, to the point that one can almost believe that these stories are close to the truth. Damn, so now, another family show is gone…It is getting to the point where watching a ‘new’ program will be off my list of entertainment choices. Why? Well, because why should I get invested in the story , and characters, of a new program because , if it is good then it will be cancelled. I would like to see this… Read more »
I’m so sorry that this decision was made. It was the only thing I watched on TV and looked forward to. I’m usually a book girl, but my husband and I used this as our time. I hate all the realty and nonsense that is on tv, I enjoyed seeing a show where I wanted to learn more and see this story from others perspectives.
So disappointed NBC cancelled! I sincerely hope it’s picked up, I’ll watch it anywhere, anytime but hopefully not online. I thought it was inspirational with great writing, producing and acting. Please continue this series somewhere!
Not a good decision as ratings have never been an indicator of what really matters
I watch it every Sundag just when I got into it u took it off thd air
My husband and have enjoyed this season and we are very sorry to see that BBC has cancelled the. programming. Hoping cable will pick.it up!!
Its ok to watch any maner of immorality on tv,but a Christian one gets cancelled. What is happening in this country.
This series was a testament of faith in God and a reminder to us all that the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. It was a blessing to see this series every Sunday evening. To those responsible for this remarkable series, I applaud you for being a messenger of God. My family is looking forward to seeing the next season wherever it is shown. NBC please reconsider your decision!!!!
My husband and I really loved this show. It just figures, a great show and they cancel.
Ratings! Perhaps NBC should question the source it uses to determine viewership. The story clearly needs to be told. My family looked forward to seeing things we read about come alive. I will look forward to watching the return of The Books of Acts as well as futures stories. To the entire cast…..we hope your schedules will allow you all to return!!!
We are so disappointed with the cancelation of AD. My children and I loved it.
I too am disappointed that this show is cancelled. I will not be watching anything new that they put on. It will probably be junk and not family oriented. Why do TV stations always want to put trash on and take of the good clean family stuff??
Obviously, NBC isn’t using good judgement here….but guess they haven’t been using good judgement ever since the whole Brian Williams scandal came out.
NBC, Mark Burnett is truly a talent and has been a HUGE money maker for your network….with all of his credits…..show some respect and keep this AD series on to completion..
I am sad that the series were cancelled. There are very little on TV except trash shows. I would pay to watch the next round and buy the dvd.
This is a real shame. There are millions of people that probably never watched NBC because of their left-wing political stance that were watching this. My wife and I typically watch NOTHING on NBC except sports news or sports events. We have never liked any NBC programing. They are not realizing that although they did not get higher ratings, yet the listeners that were attracted there were most likely like us and were new viewers as far as NBC is concerned. What a liberal foolish mistake.