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 Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003.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?
What a bummer!!! Please rethink your cancelling this show and bring it back for many more seasons!!!
loved the show great characters, could have done with little les blood, but would love t see ryan get his revenge
They should renew The Following starring Kevin Bacon and if not on regular tv then somewhere else and I hope they post it to let people know!!
This was a well thought out show. I loved the relationship between Joe and Ryan. Surprisingly after his execution the show still managed to surprise me. I loved the end scene and I hoped for another season. It will be missed. Please consider continuing this show on Netflix!
The show could and TOTALLY should just end up being a NETFLIX original if no other broadcasters will not pick up the show!
I feel like they should totally renew the series to return for a SEASON 4! Phenomenal show! There’s nothing like it! please renew instead of canceling this fantastic show would be extremely clever of FOX
Please give it one more chance!!!! so many boring shows very few really good ones please bring the following back it truly one of the great shows.
The following is amazing, Kevin bacon and all the actors are great, season 3 ended with such a cliffhanger we need to see what Ryan hardy does next! We’ll we know he’s gonna go ape!!! Watched the end of season 3 screaming let them know your alive!!!!! Really hope someone picks up season 4.
I am truly disappointed that this show can’t at the very least have one more season. The series Finale ended in such a way that it gave the show a fresh new plot line. Some network needs to pick this show up.
Yes great show. Why would cancel a show that a lot of people talk about and looking forward to seeing another season. Bring It Back.
I was saddened to see it end! This was one of my favorite shows and I was really hoping it would have continued at least a couple more seasons! I don’t think it should have been cancelled!!!
No, I do not think it should have been cancelled. The finale looked like a show going to continue. Why do the networks always cancel the better shows?
This was one of the best shows on FOX. How do yall end it like this!! At least bring it back to do a final season. I will have to rethink about watching this network again. You get rid of the good shows and keep the bad ones that my age group (late 30s) don’t relate to meaning the real drama style shows and not boring reality t.v
I don’t watch very much TV but I really liked this show. Never missed an episode! I did not like the ending and would really be happy for the show to continue. At least one more season!!!!
WE think it REALLY SUCKED that you guys CANCELLED “The Following”..it was a really good show. We hated how it ended too . You could have least had a ending.The problem with tv now is that everyone wants REALITY TV and that is the TV that SUCKS…. Quit cancelling good shows…..