NBC unveils plans for "The Bible" hit series follow-up

PanARMENIAN.Net - NBC has made its plans for The Bible follow-up official, picking up 12-hour miniseries A.D., The Hollywood Reporter said.

The follow-up to History's The Bible hails from creators Mark Burnett and Roma Downey and will likely air in spring 2015.

A.D.: Beyond the Bible, from Burnett and wife Downey, begins in the days after Jesus' betrayal and death. With NBC partnering to bring the follow-up to broadcast, the network is hoping to duplicate the success History Channel had with The Bible. The 10-parter debuted to 13.1 million viewers March 3, before wrapping up Easter Sunday with 11.7 million.

A.D. hails from LightWorkers Media a nd will be exec produced by Burnett, Downey and Richard Bedser. Two-time BAFTA nominee Simon Block (The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall) will pen the script. Casting will begin immediately and a director will be announced at a later date. Brian Edwards, COO of Burnett's One Three Media, brokered the deal with NBC.

The Bible follow-up comes just days after CBS picked up Burnett and Downey's mini The Dovekeepers, which centers on the siege of Masada. Reality guru Burnett (whose Survivor was just renewed for two additional cycles) is also teaming with NBC for event entry Plymouth, which follows the challenges and drama of the Pilgrims' journey across the Atlantic and the difficulties of settling in a new country. Burnett, via his One Three Media, will executive produce alongside Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo of Little Engine. Oscar and Emmy winner Walon Green (NYPD Blue, The Hellstrom Chronicle) will pen the project.

Since its release on DVD and Blu-ray in April, The Bible has become the top-selling miniseries of all time in its first week of release, shipping 525,000 units. Burnett and Downey are also working on feature film Son of God, set for release via Fox in February.