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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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?
Don’t cancel this was a great show. would love to see what Ryan would do to the bad Fbi agents and come back and see the shock in everyone that he is alive. DON’T CANCEL
No, this series has too much potential to keep us all going. Unless your writers do not have the imagination they use too!
I have been an ardent fan of The Following since it first went on the air. Fox why did you have to cancel this show? Great acting, great scripts so please reconsider your decision and bring the show back!
Shades of Dexter! This show could’ve taken a totally new turn and complexity from the last episode. So stupid that all the damned shows that are nothing but giddy stupidity and one liners are kept but a complicated and compelling show is cancelled. I guess I’ll go back to streaming media now where I can choose what I want to watch and not feel dumber every time I watch a sitcom. And if you people at Fox thought that Wayward Pines would ease the sting you were incorrect. Decent show but only a 10 episode mini-series.
It’s time for a Dexter update too.
I loved the show. I was disappointed in the ending. Keep the story going.
Never missed an episode and didn’t realize it was cancelled until the last one. Will miss seeing it!!
I can’t help but believe, strongly, that ratings are skewed due to DVR use being so much more predominant. There has to be some logical reason as I have not encountered anyone who has not found The Following to be compelling, well written and very well acted. I am so very disappointed that this captivating, must-see series is now gone.
Renew this show. It’s terrific and should never have been cancelled. This is as outrageous as when they cancelled Star Trek and Taxi.
Please bring back The Following. Why is it that they keep so many garbage shows and cancel the really good ones. I couldn’t wait to Mondays to see a new episode. Everyone I know loves the show and everyone that I have told about the show would watch and immediately get hooked. This really is one of the better shows and should be brought back
I loved this series! I thought it ended fabulous! Makes me want to quit watching Fox. They always cancel the good ones!
Cant believe it is being cancelled. Such a great show.
Bring back the Following! N
Hey what’s up, leaving us hanging the season finale opened up a whole new direction for this to go. Keep it going
I agree with all the crap on tv this is a great show! Pleeeeeeeez renew
Pleeeeeeeeeeez dont cancel. I luvvvvvvvvv this show