'The Bible' sequel series 'A.D.' ordered by NBC

NBC has ordered A.D. a new miniseries & sequel to its parent miniseries, The Bible, which aired on The History Channel.

The network officially announced the news today, picking up the 12-hour miniseries which is set to air in Spring. A.D.: Beyond the Bible will pick up after Jesus' betrayal and death. NBC is looking to replicate the success that The History Channel had with The Bible, which debuted with 13.1 million, and remained consistent with the last episode having 11.7 million.

NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said, "Last year when Mark Burnett was launching The Bible on cable, I told him, without hesitation, that if he wanted to tell more of the story, we’d love to do it at NBC. We are firmly in the ‘event’ business and nothing has more event potential than A.D. as it continues immediately after the The Bible ended. The heft of a broadcast network, combined with the promotional arms of NBCUniversal and Comcast, will push this miniseries to a mass audience."

Additionally NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke said "You might think the story is over at the Crucifixion, but as most of the world knows, that was only the beginning. Everyone’s lives were completely altered in an instant and the immediate aftermath of Christ’s death had an impact on his disciples, his mother Mary, and key political and religious leaders of the time. In the first episode alone you see the last moments of the Crucifixion, Judas taking his own life after betraying Christ, Peter denying Jesus three times, and then the miracle of the Resurrection. We feel so fortunate to be in the hands of Mark and Roma, who have proven that the greatest story ever told is still just that."

View the full story at The Hollywood Reporter