The Following is a crime thriller series that follows former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) as he tries to stop notorious serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) and his cult of followers. The series ran for three seasons on Fox from 2013 to 2015, but was cancelled due to low ratings and mixed reviews. However, the show still has a loyal fan base that is hoping for a revival or a continuation of the story. In this article, we will explore the status of The Following season 4, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the show.
Is The Following Season 4 Happening?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. The Following season 4 is not happening anytime soon, as Fox has not renewed the show for a fourth season. The network announced the cancellation of the show in May 2015, after the third season finale aired. The show’s creator and executive producer Kevin Williamson also confirmed the news on his Twitter account, thanking the fans for their support and saying that he had a “blast” working on the show.
The main reason for the cancellation of The Following season 4 was the decline in viewership and ratings. The show started off strong in its first season, averaging 10.42 million viewers and a 3.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic. However, the ratings dropped significantly in the second and third seasons, averaging 6.19 million viewers and a 2.2 rating in season 2, and 4.81 million viewers and a 1.5 rating in season 3. The show also faced criticism for its excessive violence, implausible plot twists, and inconsistent character development.
Another reason for the cancellation of The Following season 4 was the departure of Kevin Williamson from the show. Williamson left the show after the second season to focus on his other projects, such as Stalker and The Vampire Diaries. He was replaced by Jennifer Johnson and Alexi Hawley as the new showrunners for season 3. However, some fans felt that the change in leadership affected the quality and direction of the show.
Is There Any Chance of The Following Season 4 Being Revived?
While there is no official confirmation or announcement of The Following season 4 being revived, there is always a slim possibility that another network or streaming service might pick up the show in the future. Some fans have been campaigning for Netflix or Amazon Prime Video to revive the show, as they have done with other cancelled shows such as Lucifer, Designated Survivor, and Longmire. However, there are some challenges and obstacles that might prevent this from happening.
One of the challenges is securing the rights to the show. Fox owns the distribution rights to The Following, which means that any other network or streaming service would have to negotiate with Fox to acquire the rights to produce new episodes. This might be difficult or expensive, especially if Fox is not interested in letting go of the show.
Another challenge is getting the cast and crew back together. The actors and writers of The Following might have moved on to other projects or commitments since the show ended in 2015. For example, Kevin Bacon has starred in several movies and TV shows since then, such as Patriots Day, I Love Dick, City on a Hill, and You Should Have Left. James Purefoy has also appeared in several projects, such as Hap and Leonard, Altered Carbon, Sex Education, and Fisherman’s Friends. It might be hard to get them back on board for The Following season 4, especially if they are not interested in reprising their roles or if they have contractual obligations elsewhere.
What Would Have Happened in The Following Season 4?
Although there is no official plot synopsis or outline for The Following season 4, some of the showrunners and actors have shared their ideas and thoughts on what could have happened if the show had continued. Here are some of them:
- Ryan Hardy would have become a vigilante. According to Alexi Hawley, one of the co-showrunners of season 3, Ryan Hardy would have embraced his dark side and become a vigilante in season 4. He said that Ryan had answered the question that he had been asking himself for three seasons: whether he could have a life and be happy outside his obsession with Joe Carroll. Hawley said that Ryan’s answer was “no”, and that he would have gone off the grid and hunted down serial killers on his own terms.
- Joe Carroll would have returned somehow. Although Joe Carroll was executed in season 3, some fans and actors speculated that he might have faked his death or escaped somehow. James Purefoy, who played Joe, said that he would have loved to see Joe come back in season 4, and that he had some ideas on how that could happen. He said that Joe could have had a twin brother, or a clone, or a lookalike, or a disciple who took his place. He also said that Joe could have been resurrected by a cult or a secret organization, or that he could have been in a witness protection program.
- A new villain would have emerged. Hawley also revealed that the writers had discussed the idea of introducing a new villain in season 4, who would be an “uber-rich” serial killer. He said that the idea was to break away from the usual profile of a serial killer, and to explore how someone with a lot of money and power could get away with murder. He said that the new villain could have been more formidable and dangerous than Joe, Strauss, or Theo.
Who Are The Main Characters of The Following?
The Following has a large and diverse cast of characters, but the main ones are:
- Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon): The protagonist of the show, a former FBI agent who is obsessed with catching Joe Carroll and his followers. He is haunted by his past, and struggles with alcoholism, PTSD, and guilt. He is also romantically involved with several women throughout the show, such as Claire Matthews, Molly, Carrie Cooke, and Gwen.
- Joe Carroll (James Purefoy): The main antagonist of the show, a charismatic and manipulative serial killer who is obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe and his works. He is also the mastermind behind a cult of followers who share his twisted ideology and help him carry out his plans. He has a complicated relationship with Ryan Hardy, whom he considers his nemesis and his friend.
- Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore): A young and ambitious FBI agent who works with Ryan Hardy to stop Joe Carroll and his followers. He is loyal, brave, and smart, but also impulsive, reckless, and emotional. He develops a close bond with Ryan Hardy, whom he sees as a mentor and a father figure. He also falls in love with Max Hardy, Ryan’s niece.
- Max Hardy (Jessica Stroup): Ryan Hardy’s niece and a NYPD detective who assists him in his investigations. She is strong, independent, and resourceful, but also caring, compassionate, and supportive. She has a romantic relationship with Mike Weston, but they face many challenges and obstacles along the way.
- Mark Gray (Sam Underwood): One of Joe Carroll’s most loyal and devoted followers, and the son of Lily Gray, a wealthy serial killer who was Joe’s ally in season 2. Mark is one of the twins who have a psychotic bond and a penchant for killing. He survives the events of season 2 and 3, and becomes one of the main antagonists in season 3. He is obsessed with revenge against Ryan Hardy and his friends.
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about The Following:
- Q: How many episodes are there in The Following?
- A: There are 45 episodes in The Following, divided into three seasons. Each season has 15 episodes, except for season 3 which has 14 episodes plus a two-hour finale.
- Q: Where can I watch The Following online?
- A: You can watch The Following online on various streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or Fox Now. However, the availability of the show might vary depending on your region and subscription.
- Q: Is The Following based on a true story or a book?
- A: No, The Following is not based on a true story or a book. It is an original creation by Kevin Williamson, who was inspired by various sources such as Edgar Allan Poe’s works, real-life serial killers, cults, and FBI cases.
- Q: Is there a spin-off or a sequel to The Following?
- A: No, there is no spin-off or a sequel to The Following as of now. However, some fans have created fan fiction or fan art based on the show or its characters. You can find some examples on websites such as Archive of Our Own, FanFiction.Net, or DeviantArt.
