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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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?
Loved the series wished it hadn’t ended. However there were to many unrealistic twists, if it is brought back I will watch it. Theo being shot in the head and coming back after Ryan, how many times can someone escape are just a few unrealistic twists.
This is such a letdown!! The Following is a great show that should be continued! Take some other show to save money not this!!
This was a great show. And so many crap shows and primetime cartoon shows remain on TV. The Bridge was also a great show on the fx channel. If they opened up the ratings to more people maybe these shows would last longer.
Shame to cancel a show that had so much going for it. Ryan Hardy was a true anti hero and the show was just leading in the right direction. With all the crap that networks renew each year to cancel this one is a travesty. But goes to show you that programmers just aren’t very bright people.
I think Fox will be very sorry they cancelled.
I can’t believe this show was cancelled! It is so much better, more interesting and edge-of-your-seat than many shows that will be returning this fall. The Following was a MUST SEE at our house. What a shame.
We love the show.we love villians and the good guys very good, very sad to see it go
I can’t believe they would cancel The Following. R U Serious!!!! Please tell me why they cancel the great shows and leave all the Fox dumb comedy shows on the air? Fox is beginning to be not worth watching at all!
Sorry to see the show ending — Good ending last night and maybe there is hope Jack will be back !!!!
Can’t believe The Following lasted only 3 seasons. I watched it every week and looked forward for it every season. Great show in my opinion. Kinda sad Fox cancelled it but has shows like Last Man on Earth or Bobs Burgers.
Great way to end with Jack Bauer ending. Would like to see to periodic episodes of The Following. Who is Mr. Big? Did Theo survive? Does the show come back “21 years later,” when Ryan’s kid is being inducted into the FBI, and Theo comes back to do damage? The Following ended two seasons too soon.
Bring it back another season
This was a very interesting show. They should have kept it up. I was surprised to learn this was ending. Hopefully, they can bring it back and this time Ryan will be the one who should be arrested due to his misfortunate ordeal. This perhaps leads him to be a serial killer of all who did him wrong while he was in office. It would be good to see what happens as he goes after these so called good but bd people. making them pay for their crimes.
RENEWED!!!!! make it a happy ending!!!!
Love the show.
Why do all tv networks give a show just enough rope to hang themselves. But not enough time to see if they can get out of it. So many different ways this show could go. Don’t be like the other networks, stick with it. It just might surprise you.
In this case, because Joe lasted much much too long.