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?
Please bring on series 2.
I was hooked on season 1 and to end it there is just not right.
Chris Hore
I have purchased several copies the DVDs for season 1 and gave them as gifts for Christmas. Now these people are as hooked as me on this series and are all excitedly awaiting season 2. Please keep these type of movies coming.
Please please make the next series. This is a masterpiece and one of the rare Christian depictions that has been portrayed with strength authenticity and clarity. Please pray for a way to carry on this is so needed.
I’m a 100% agree with you, it’s such a great show I can’t wait to see the next season
I don’t really understand why they cancelled it – the only (minor) complaint that I might have is that the special effects were a little cliché, but that’s nothing compared to the great casting, and the fact that it seemed relatively in line with Scripture. I so hope that the same actors come back to it, I really don’t like it when actors are replaced (Doctor Who aside), and I think they were so perfect for their roles!
I’m extremely disappointed this has ended, as I watched it religiously and thought finally a decent depiction. Perhaps Don Trump will subsidise the next series?
Of course they’d cancel it because its “the bible” . if it’s d one that doesn’t teach anything reasonable they’d leave it.
Want them to resume. Amazing TV series.
i will buy it so dont canceled
This series, AMAZING beautifully put together. The characters , the human factor, the Jesus character loving and kind in fact the entire cast well done. The list can go on,,,,, anyway real sad that season 2 was cancelled, This is like a book, everytime one watch it you learn something new. I agree with Janet do it on DVD at least. Well done done to Romania Downey and Mark Burnett pleases see continue this is awesome
We love this series. So sad it was cancelled. I hope they get the same actors though… They were all an excellent fit.
AD the Bible Continues is an amazing series! We’ve never seen anything like it! Our whole family looked forward to it every Sunday night. Please reconsider your decision. We have told so many of our family and friends about it. It is worth taking a chance on it again. God Bless you NBC. Don’t let your many viewers down.
Yes need second season, just finished watching first on Netflix, for the second time, love Bible stories, it’s good if you find reading Bible hard, please hurry left hanging, 🙂
Please continue with seiries 2. I loved this show and would buy the dvd series if available. I ist the closest reality Ive seen to the bible..
They should have never cancel the second season. This was a great mistake. The bible is a great serie, and people are looking forward for other seasons. I’m very sad about this news because there is lack of gospel series on TV.
Very disappointed that the second season was cancelled. I would like to see season two at least come out on DVD. I would buy the series. I already have season one. Want to see this series come to it’s proper conclusion and not be left hanging. If networks won’t pick it up do it on DVD.
Yes Please the series has been excellent and I was so disappointed season 2 wasn’t launched.
Yes I love it I want season 2 to come out