The Following (2013)
A relentless cat-and-mouse thriller in which a disgraced FBI agent faces off against a charismatic serial killer and his deadly cult of followers.
The Following - Series Information
- Original Title: The Following
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2015
- Created by: Kevin Williamson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (43 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 45
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 21, 2013 (United States - TV-14), January 21, 2013 (United Kingdom - 15), January 21, 2013 (Germany - 18), January 21, 2013 (Brazil - 16), January 21, 2013 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: FOX
- Alternative Titles: 杀手之王 (CN), Untitled Kevin Williamson Project (US)
- Production Companies: Outerbanks Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Following - Plot
Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll's capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
The Following - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold from the very first episode:
Killer instinct.
Where to Watch The Following
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The Following - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Kevin Williamson
Main Cast
- Kevin Bacon
- James Purefoy
- Shawn Ashmore
- Valorie Curry
- Jessica Stroup
- Sam Underwood
- Gregg Henry
- Natalie Zea
- Annie Parisse
- Zuleikha Robinson
Writers
- Kevin Williamson
- Brett Mahoney
- Alexi Hawley
- Nora Kay Foster
- Vincent Angell
Executive Producers
- Kevin Williamson
- Marcos Siega
- Brett Mahoney
- Alexi Hawley
- Adam Armus
The Following - FAQs
Where can you stream The Following online?
The Following is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. It can also be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free ad-supported viewing is available on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, and Plex.
Why was The Following cancelled after Season 3?
FOX cancelled The Following in 2015 after Season 3 due to declining ratings. The show's viewership had dropped significantly from its strong Season 1 debut, and the network decided not to renew it. The series concluded with 45 episodes across three seasons.
Who are the main actors in The Following?
The Following stars Kevin Bacon as FBI agent Ryan Hardy and James Purefoy as serial killer Joe Carroll. The supporting cast includes Shawn Ashmore, Valorie Curry, Jessica Stroup, Sam Underwood, Gregg Henry, Natalie Zea, Annie Parisse, and Zuleikha Robinson.
Is The Following based on a true story?
The Following is not based on a specific true story. Creator Kevin Williamson drew inspiration from real-world serial killer psychology and cult behavior to craft the fictional narrative. The character of Joe Carroll, a literature professor turned killer, is an entirely original creation.
How many seasons and episodes does The Following have?
The Following ran for 3 seasons and 45 episodes on FOX. Each season contained 15 episodes. Season 1 premiered on January 21, 2013, and the series concluded in 2015. There are also 2 special episodes available in addition to the main run.
What is The Following TV series about?
The Following centers on former FBI agent Ryan Hardy, who is called back to pursue escaped death-row serial killer Joe Carroll. Carroll, a charismatic literature professor, has built a devoted cult of killers. The show explores the psychological cat-and-mouse battle between Hardy and Carroll's ever-expanding network.
What is the content rating for The Following?
The Following is rated TV-14 in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains intense violence, dark psychological themes, and disturbing depictions of murder and cult behavior, consistent with its mature crime drama format.
Who created The Following TV series?
The Following was created by Kevin Williamson, best known for writing the Scream film franchise and creating Dawson's Creek and The Vampire Diaries. Williamson also served as executive producer and head writer, shaping the show's dark psychological tone throughout its run on FOX.
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