NBC Gets ‘The Bible’ Follow-Up Project From Mark Burnett

Diogo Morgado in The Bible
Jesus (Diogo Morgado) and all his disciples. Photo by ©2012 A+E Networks, LLC / Photo Credit: Joe Alblas

NBC and executive producer Mark Burnett are teaming up for A.D.: Beyond the Bible, the follow-up to Burnett and Roma Downey’s 10 part The Bible series. Jennifer Salke announced the deal, stating: “NBC is thrilled to bring this highly-anticipated sequel to Mark and Roma’s The Bible to network television. There was huge interest in this project within the television community, and NBC is gratified by Mark’s confidence in our ability to partner with him and position this miniseries as true event television.”

Burnett and Downey’s The Bible miniseries has sold over 1 million units since being released on DVD and Blu-ray and was cable’s number one new series this year.

“We are thrilled to be working with Bob, Jen, and Quinn Taylor to bring the follow-up to our hit cable series The Bible to broadcast television with NBC,” said executive producers Burnett and Downey. “Our new series, A.D.: Beyond the Bible, is another massive project and a major commitment, but it’s a story that has to be told. It’s a story that changed the world. We look forward to making this an enormous television event on NBC.”

And Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, said, “I followed the development process of The Bible closely with Mark and knew that the story was far from over after Christ’s Crucifixion. In fact, what happened in the aftermath – which is essentially the beginning of Christianity – is utterly fascinating. The day after The Bible premiered, I told Mark we were on board with no hesitation for the follow-up miniseries.”

Details on A.D.: Beyond the Bible:

A.D.: Beyond the Bible begins in the dark days after Jesus’ betrayal and death. 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.