In an interesting and very smart move, NBC has ordered the sequel to the History Channel’s “The Bible.”
The series, which aired for 5 weeks on the History Channel, was produced by NBC ‘s The Voice executive producer Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey. It premiered on March 3 and ran until its Easter Sunday finale, which attracted 11.7 million viewers.
With the success that the series saw on the History Channel, NBC decided to pick up the show and order a sequel “AD: Beyond The Bible,” which will continue the story of “The Bible” after Jesus’ betrayal and death, reports Entertainment Weekly.
“I followed the development process of “The Bible” closely with Mark and knew that the story was far from over after Christ’s Crucifixion,” Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement about the project. “In fact, what happened in the aftermath – which is essentially the beginning of Christianity – is utterly fascinating.”
According to Entertainment Weekly, Burnett said that the follow up series is set to take viewers on the journey of the early Christian Church and the life of the apostles and early Christians living under Roman oppression.
“It will begin in the dark days after Jesus’ betrayal and death,” Burnett stated. “A perfect storm brews in the Holy Land, fueled by social injustice, Roman military oppression and religious unrest. High priests and the Herod dynasty vie for power. Zealot revolutionaries turn to violence to regain what they believe is their promised land. And in the face of terrible odds and brutal persecution, the small band of Jesus’ disciples stand against the combined might of Rome and their own local authorities. In a generation of rebellion, war, famine, and carnage, who can they trust? Who should they fear? Will tomorrow bring a violent death? For many, it does … but others survive, and as the storm around them breaks, the fate of Israel, of Rome and of their faith is decided.”
In addition to Burnett and Downey, “AD: Beyond the Bible” will be produced alongside LightWorkers Media, Hearst Productions and Universal Television. Financial details surrounding the project have yet to be released.
