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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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?
The networks always cancel the good shows and stick us with stupid reality shows. Someone needs to learn what entertainment is. Are you listening networks execs?
I agree.The sucky shows stay and the good ones go away!! Guess the rest of the country likes stupid stuff. This is BS!!
This is my favorite show and I am very disappointed that it has been cancelled. All of the worthless reality shows continues but one show that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you coming back week to week has been cancelled? If in networks thoughts viewership is not high enough, then perhaps better marketing of the show should have been considered.
I love this show and I’m soo sad to hear its been cancelled. Started watching due to the Edgar Allen Poe aspect in the first season. Its something my mom and I watched together and we are both sad to see it go.
I agree fully with Carrie Hanson! Get rid of the bachelor & bachelorette and above all the Kardashians & 19 kids and counting! Love the following!
That’s about right! We cancel an interesting drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and we’ll probably get another useless reality show or spinoff of the Kardashians!
Let’s put Bruce Jenner in this time slot soI can cross another hour of FOX TV off my schedule.
Bummed!
I enjoy watching The Following- The bachelor is survivor amazing race I’ve never watched any of those shows. Cancel one of those for once – feeling annoyed
Extremely Disappointed!!! Looked like another villain with money to continue the series on last episode. I agree with Carrie get rid of the reality shows like bachelor, big brother, the simpsons (will never die! was good 10 years ago), American Idol getting old. Plus they replace it with some lame show next season.
One of the only Worth while shows
to watch. Stupidity on fox’s part to cancel.
It made my Mondays entertaining. It went against the boring pattern.
Are you kidding me! We loved this show.
I am so sick of nothing on the telly but reality shows and washed up entertainers trying to sing or dancer. The BBC shows are the only shows worth watching. We have nothing good made in this country that includes even entertainment
This is really the only surprise in the list. The Following was a really good show.
I love the following. Get rid of the bachelor and big brother house and keep the following on. All that there will be left are zombie shows; I may as well cancel my cable. Without the following, castle and bates motel, there will be nothing of interest. Oh ya, get rid of all the housewives shows and the Kardashians as well.
You really had to believe that the FBI are completely incompetent to enjoy this show. I understand the need to suspend all belief but… come on.
If I were a member of the FBI, this show would be very offensive
Stopped watching after the first season when I realized the show required serial stupidity on the part of characters to advance the plot. Surprised to learn it lasted this long.