Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy and Kevin Williamson have been making the rounds and giving a deeper glimpse into what is sure to be a hit: "The Following" (USAToday, Jan 8). From the sound of things, the highly anticipated Fox offering could give any cable based show a run for it's money. Williamson says "There's some moments that are squeamish; it's not for the faint of heart."
The show focuses on Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) an alcoholic ex -FBI agent who get's pulled back in after Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) escapes from death row. The two have a history as Ryan was the one to put Carroll in prison the first time. Ryan is wracked with guilt because the former literary professor was a friend whom Ryan trusted and was seeking the professors insight on the Poe inspired murders. As a result, more women were murdered. Ryan was also involved with Carroll's ex which only ads to the complexity of the chase.
Hardy "carries the weight of every victim on him, and he goes blind with saving people," Williamson says
Purefoy's ever-so-charming Carroll has created a huge network of followers via the Internet. Followers that also happen to be murderers themselves and they are willing (and eager) to do whatever Carroll wants them to do. "These are people who don't need the slightest bit of convincing to do the things they do," he says. "These aren't people forced to join a cult. These are willing accomplices."
Williamson, who is not immune to recent real life tragedies such as the school shootings in Newton, Conn. Critics have been vocal about the show's violence to which he says "We're all traumatized by it." and has rejected scenes plans to include a mass shooting later in the season.
The Following premiers Jan 21 on Fox.
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