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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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 cannot believe y’all have cancelled this amazing show! Very upset! It’s almost like these networks get these great shows and get us sucked into them and pull the darn plug! Ridiculous!!
I am so upset that this show was cancelled. It is both intellectual and thrilling. Upon that, it is clever. I hate that so many people lost interest in this how when it was clearly amazing. I want this show to continue more than anything because it is my absolute favorte. FX has the worst shows and this one was the only good one. I never missed an episode.
Absolutely love this show…always on the edge of my seat. Always looking forward to see what the writers are going to come up with next. Please do not cancel!!
I’m am very disappointed Fox is cancelling The Following. I truly enjoyed the series and looked forward to Monday evenings each week it aired.
With all the poor shows on TV what are you thinking re canceling the Following?? Please reconsider!!!
The Following is one of the most creative and intelligent shows since Breaking Bad.
As mentioned, the FINAL EPISODE WAS AMAZING! It was so clever that the future for Ryan Hardy has no bounds. Therefore, even a new series could be created.
How can we find out if the series or his character, Ryan Hardy is being resurrected for production?
You cancel the best shows & leave crappy ones!!
Can’t believe The Following has been cancelled!! One of the best shows for a long time!. I have watched it from day 1 and the latest series left with such a fab cliffhanger that would’ve seen Ryan Hardy cross to the other side!! Why cancel such a popular show that could’ve gone to a different level?!!! Such a massive shame I loved the characters and the concept!!!. It’s always the good ones that get cancelled!!!
This show is a great one. I can not believe you guys are going to cancel it. You have to keep it on especially after that finale. The following will be amazing!!
after that season 3 ending fox would be nuts not to bring it back! the following is a consistent show unlike some of the others that are stale. please bring it back for another season!
I for one like the rest of you am P O’d this show is cancelled Kevin Bacon and the entire cast made this show rock. This is the only show on TV I watched from start to finish and never missed an episode. If they wanted to dump show’s why not family guy and american dad to open up time slots. Screw the so called no it all’s on this one. Great job Following on a great show and I am a true follower.
Definitely should not have been cancelled! Best show around!!
Why would Fox dump this great show? I can’ believe that they didn’t have a great “following!
I cannot believe this show is canceled. This was one of the best shows on. It shocked you, made you question morals, made you think and kept you on the edge of your seat.
I am so so so very sorry to see this show go. Not to mention the way they left in it in the finale totally opened it up for at least another fantastic season. I really hope another (smarter) network picks up this show!!
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW, ONE OF THE BEST THRILLERS ON TELEVISION…AWESOME CAST……