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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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?
No no no no no! I look forward to watching The Following each week. It’s a shame to cancel it. Like someone before me said, canceling the good stuff and keeping the crap is not smart!!
If they cancel this show they’ll being taking a show off that I look forward to watching every season and every week it’s on! Renew it.
Always cancel the good shows and keep the garbage. Smart real smart.
OMG why would you stop this show it is amazing. Come on all you see are
these reality shows sure some are good but they are taking over
All these great shows are going for reality give me a break
shame on you Fox
I am not happy that the Following got cancelled. It is such a Psychological thriller, you just ever know who the bad guy or girl is. Fox should have really reconsidered prior to making this decision. It would be nice if it was picked up by anther network but I just don’t see that happening. The only thing left on Fox that I watch is Bones and when that is cancelled there will be nothing else. Shame on you Fox for canceling a great show.
Say it isn’t so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Following is our favorite show. I’ll never start watching another new show again.
Good bye Fox. I won’t be around no more. Unless you bring the Following back for a new season.
I am so sad to see The Following be canceled. All the actors are amazing and the writers truly go beyond the grasp of normal society’s reality, although NOT outside the actualities of the torturous activities of serial killers. It brought to light that those like Joe and his followers absolutely DO exist in this world and FBI agents often must tackle such atrocities. Showing the FBI as “human” was brilliant; it’s certainly not a career choice to be taken lightly. I have truly enjoyed the intellect behind the writing; the relationship between Ryan & Joe; and the fact that… Read more »
no way I love that show 🙁
SAD first they cancel Constantine now they cancel The Following why don’t they just put brain dead tv on forever looks like that’s what we are in for people
This show is so good and Kevin Bacon is a good actor. Keep it going with other criminals to follow. Why do all the good shows have to be cancelled? I hope they change their minds.
One of the best shows on tv do not cancel
Please don’t cancel one of the best shows on television.
I love this show!! Please don’t cancel it. 🙁
I love this series. Want it renewed for season 4
We love this show. It is the only crime show my husband watched ! Bones ,The Following and local news are the only good shows on Fox. We do watch a lot on FNC.
TV HAS LOST it completely these networks don’t allow enough time for people to catch on to a show now if they worked the way they do now back in 1990s they would of cancelled SEINFELD the way they work now the Seinfeld wouldn’t have made it past 5 episodes and M.A.S.H 3they need to look back to go forward