‘The Bible’ Sequel Moves Forward At NBC

The sequel to Mark Burnett’s The Bible has been given the greenlight by NBC.

The project is a follow-up to the successful miniseries put together by husband-and-wife producing team Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. Instead of being broadcast on The History Channel, the next installment will find at home on network television.

According to The Wrap, The Bible sequel will take place during the days following Jesus’ death. Although several networks were reportedly interested in bringing the project to the small screen, Burnett and Downey ultimately decided to take the story to National Broadcasting Company.

“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,” NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke said in a recent press release.

Entertainment Weekly reports that NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt and the network were watching The Bible closely when it aired on The History Channel. The day after the miniseries premiered, Greenblatt told Burnett the network had no qualms about moving forward with the follow-up.

This is how Mark Burnett described the sequel to The Bible:

It will begin 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.

It’s currently unknown when the network intends to have the sequel up and running. Chances are Burnett and company could have things ready to go by next year.

Did you watch The Bible during its run on The History Channel? Do you plan to watch the follow-up when it airs on NBC?