NBC Greenlights an ‘A.D.’ Miniseries

Juan Pablo di Pace as Jesus in A.D.
Juan Pablo di Pace as Jesus in ‘A.D.’ (Photo by Joe Alblas / Lightworkers Media / NBC)

Executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are teaming up with NBC for the 12-hour miniseries A.D. coming to the network in spring 2015. A.D. is a follow-up to The Bible and will be written by BAFTA nominated writer Simon Block (The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall). NBC hasn’t announced a director or any members of the cast.

“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,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “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. We value our relationship with Mark and Roma and know that no one could bring this story to life better than them.”

“You might think the story is over at the Crucifixion, but as most of the world knows, that was only the beginning,” added Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. “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.”

Downey and Burnett said, “It is the story that changed the world. Millions have died for it and billions live by it. We know that an enormous community will be counting the days until A.D. premieres. We look forward to making this an epic global television event.”

The Bible averaged 13.2 million viewers and, according to History Channel, was the third most-watched cable television series or miniseries in 2013. It’s sold more than 525,000 DVDs and is the top miniseries DVD seller in history.

(Updated with a photo from the miniseries.)