Network: FOX
Episodes: 45 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: January 21, 2013 — May 18, 2015
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore, Annie Parisse, Adan Canto, Kyle Catlett, Natalie Zea, Nico Tortorella, and Valorie Curry.
TV show description:
This psychological thriller begins when a notorious serial killer, Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), escapes from death row. The FBI calls in former agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) to consult on the case. Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Carroll had murdered 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature.
Hardy is a walking textbook of all-things Carroll and knows him better than anyone else. He may be Carroll’s only psychological and intellectual match. But the Ryan Hardy who broke the Carroll case years ago isn’t the same man today. Wounded both physically and mentally by his previous pursuit of this serial killer, it’s been a long time since Hardy has been in the field. Could this be his redemption?
In contrast to the original investigation of years ago, Hardy isn’t calling the shots anymore. He works closely with an FBI team, which includes young, razor-sharp Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore) and FBI Specialist Debra Parker (Annie Parisse), who’s brought in to lead the investigation into Carroll and his followers — serial killers that secretly live among us.
Although Weston seems to idolize Hardy, most of the team considers him to be more of a liability than an asset. But Hardy proves his worth when he uncovers that Carroll was covertly communicating with a network of followers in the outside world. It quickly becomes obvious that he has more planned than just a prison escape.
The FBI’s investigation leads Hardy back to Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea), Carroll’s ex-wife and the mother of their young son, Joey (Kyle Catlett). Close during Hardy’s initial investigation, Hardy turns to Claire for insight into Carroll’s next move.
The tension rises when Carroll’s accomplices kidnap his intended last victim (Maggie Grace) a decade earlier. Hardy becomes ever more determined to end Carroll’s game when he realizes that the psychopath intends to finish what he started.
The drama follows Hardy and the FBI as they are challenged with the ever-growing web of murder around them. It’s all orchestrated by Carroll who dreams of writing a novel with Hardy as his protagonist. Since anyone anywhere could be one of Carroll’s serial killer followers, Hardy and the FBI have a hard time knowing who they can trust.
Episode #45 — The Reckoning
The FBI hunt for Theo continues and the stakes are higher than ever as some of their own come under attack. As suspicions rise, alliances are shaken and no one is safe in the series’ harrowing final heart-stopping moments.
First aired: May 18, 2015.
What do you think? Do you like The Following TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?
I love the show. Please don’t cancel.
I am so sick of reality tv and I find I show I enjoy and they cancel it.
Stupid move.. The Following was so different than the normal shows. Loved it. Hoping Hula TV picks it up. Someone should. Don’t understand …..
Although dark in nature. I am said to see this end. It would have been better to see Kevin find Peace and have seen his baby. Bad call..you could have at least given him and the crew closer
Please please do not stop The Following love that show!
One of the only shows I watched on Fox was The Following, now that it has been canceled I am back to NBC.
Been watching since 1st. season, thought it was your best show ever. Going back to CBS.!!!!
renewed, couldn’t wait for the following week
Another great show bites the dust. I don’t understand the network reasoning it getting rid of the great shows and keeping trash. You missed the boat on this one!
I love this series. It is one of the few that I can’t wait to watch each week. I DVR it because that is the only way that I can watch it every week. My work hours are different weekly and I work on call some nights. Please give us another season so we can see an ending to all the craziness. It was left with Ryan pretending to be dead. How can you leave it like that? Please give us an ending.
My son and I live far away. So when we talk on the phone, it is all about the following. When he told me the bad news, I thought he was joking. I STILL FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE. I have teacher friends that were planning on catching up this summer. So utterly disappointing. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!. I’M ADDICTED
My son and I live far away from each other. When we talk on the phone, it is all about the following. When he told me the bad news. I thought he was joking. I CAN’T BELIEVE FOX DID THAT TO US. BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!. I CAN’T TAKE IT
The Following has had very good writing and acting and is an excellent alternative to much of the more common fare in TV Drama. As the finale ended, there is much room for new plot lines and a continued story with Ryan Hardy hunting in secret.
I think the program should continue.
The following is the best programme on TV , how on earth can it not continue , we are all in mourning , it has to continue , GUTTED BIG TIME
I hope FOX reads these comments, because they need to know how many people love the Following. If I see another “I am dead and now I have come back” or a cartoon show I will scream. The Following was so different and so interesting to watch. You never knew who was going to get killed off, and kept saying you hoped it isn’t this one or tried to guess who was the snitch. This was the talk around the office or at kids baseball games. It seemed everyone watched it. So what is the problem, do you have to… Read more »