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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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 am a 62 year old women who is retired and watches a lot of TV! I like a little reality TV, but mostly l enjoy my dramas. I do not like sitcoms anymore! Too many liberal views that I do not find funny anymore. The Following may have a gruesome subject matter, but that is what draws me in. It’s like watching a great scary movie, you want to turn away, but you can’t. You have to watch to see what happens next. Pay Kevin Bacon what ever he wants because he delivers! There is nothing better to watch… Read more »
Fox, thank you for a great riveting series! I think it has come full circle and it is a good idea to wind things down. Joe, the antagonist is deceased, his life force no longer drives the plot. Fox TV, by the way, I did want Ryan to end up with Joe Caroll’s ex-wife in the end.
Please don’t cancel, my friends and I love this show…….awesome actors, suspense, and plenty of drama
Please don’t cancel The Following. It keeps me on the edge of my chair. It is so well written and complex.
Please don’t cancel.
Lately it seems every time you like a show network cancels it. We say Don’t cancel the Following.
I love this show. Do not cancel
Please reconsider Fox this is an excellent show with a great cast!!
Please change your mind and don’t cancel The Following. It don’t make any since to do this
You keep Simpsons and family guy on. Tell me that isn’t crazy!
Fox….you suck and have rocks in your head! All you want to support is stupid reality shows. Do me a favor and have nothing but reality shows on, I will no longer watch cable nor need TV.
I am extremely upset that Fox is canceling the best series I have seen in a long time. What a great group of actors and the show is very well done. I sure hope you change your mind about this canceling. I also want you to know that I always watch The Following over other good shows on other networks. PLEASE RECONSIDER !!!!!!!
The dumbest shows last forever but great shows like this are taken away!!!
Best show on right now, can’t believe it is going to
end this way…. Hope another station will pick it up!! Love Love The Following
Can’t believe this.people wonder why network dramas don’t win awards anymore.it’s easy.every time they have a network show that pushes boundaries,they cancel.one more thing.you had the opportunity to have a show was as good as 24.
I cannot believe “The Following” is cancelled. This is why I don’t watch TV much….the good shows get cancelled and are then replaced with crap! UNFREAKINBELIEVABLE! Maybe NETFLIX will pick it up and we can watch a decent show instead of the junk on FOX.