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?
With all the immoral junk on tv today it was finally refreshing to see something worth watching and faith based.
Really sad this will be canceled, but hope it will continues somehow. The sadest thing though would be if we are forced to see a third recasting.
Yes, I watched and enjoyed the series. I also told others about it. I would like to see it renewed. It brought the Bible alive for me. Who was surveyed? It’s never anyone that I know or people that watch or agree with whatever is being surveyed. It was nice to watch something n TV that I could identify with, no profanity, nudity, incest, sex, etc. Some people actually want to see TV shows without those things. Unfortunately, that’s not the “average” TV show, which is why I don’t watch much on TV.
You are wrong to cancel a show that is finally good on your network, I will not watch a others shows on your network, there’s not much I would enjoy as I did the stories from A.D. I particularly loved the Angels
I want to see more of this show. If I have to pay for it on DVD, so be it. Just keep making them.
I don’t usually watch NBC but did really love this show. But guess it didn’t have enough nudity, swearing and sex for NBC to keep it on. I even was taping it. I was talking to my friends about it. But now it is canceled. So thanks NBC. Time to watch other stations again. I pray the producers follow through with another way to view more.
Unbelievable! Is NBC determined to cancel every good show they air? Their track record says yes. I will watch the next season of AD wherever it ends up. NBC needs to rethink what they are doing and take a risk once in awile.
I will pay to see the second season. It doesn’t surprise me that NBC cancelled – to religious for them. The devil at work.
My whole family made a point to watch it every week together. Really sad this has been cancelled. We need to stand together and do something about supporting this to be continued. I think our country needs a program like this!
I’m encouraged by your statements that even though NBC canceled the show, the producers are pursuing other options. I just cannot say enough good about the mini-series. It was absolutely amazing. It made scenes from the Bible about the early church come alive in a fashion I had never witnessed before. I am waiting eagerly for the DVD of season One, so I will be able to watch it repeatedly. I am optimistic that Season Two will be made and I will be looking forward to watching the continuing story (not really a story because I believe these were actual… Read more »
Very heart broken and disappointed the series A. D. The Bible Continues pulled for Season 2. It is very entertaining, enjoyable and the cast are fabulous (Peter & Saul and many more). What this series was the continuation of the bible beyond the death and rise of our “Lord Jesus Christ” finally a family show that encourage people to study the bible and great for references for bible study, as for those reality shows which I do care to watch.
I’m so upset that this show has been cancelled. I really hope that someway, somehow, a season 2 will happen and will be just as great as season 1. I will watch it however I have to. This show was one that I looked forward to all week. It was also our family show that me, my hubby, and our kids watched together. I was so excited to find something that was not the same reality shows or drama for us to all watch together. I will definitely be keeping track of any updates on a new season.
I cannot express how disappointed I am that this series has been discontinued. The actors and actresses were exceptional from Peter to Ciaphas to Pilot to John the women were amazing every one of them. I love the WORD OF God. It was truly anointed and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with the disciples. These actresses and actors must continue their work. The devil would love this series to be a flop. Don’t let this happen. Please continue. Please! God bless your work. It is the only show I watch and dvr. Unfortunately I only have 5… Read more »
Don’t cancel this series. It is really good
I am so disappointed that this show will not continue. I and my family looked forward to Sundays just to see a new episode. Really, WHY didn’t another station pick up this miniseries??? It was wonderful and for once I wasn’t watching violence, sex, and cursing!!!