After the show’s sudden cancellation, last May by the Fox network, the fourth season of the American crime drama TV series “The Following” was rumored to have been picked up by giant streaming service Netflix. While no announcement has been made by Netflix or any hint given by the cast or crew, fans of the series still have high hopes for the show’s renewal.
That is until now, when one of the series’ lead characters Shawn Ashmore confirmed that the pick-up rumors are false. Ashmore’s admission might just be what the fans were waiting for so they could finally accept the fact that the show is never going to see the light of day anymore.
Recently, a fan asked the 35-year-old actor on Twitter if Netflix will indeed rescue the fourth season of the “The Following” from cancellation. Ashmore, who played Agent Mike Weston on the show, replied with a simple no. Warner Bros Televisions has stated that it is eager to find a new home for the thriller drama series after Fox announced its cancellation, but it looks like Netflix took a pass on the cancelled show. Although the streaming service still has not given an official word about its decision on “The Following.”
It was the same case when another streaming service saved the hit show “The Mindy Project” just a few months ago. Fox cancelled the romantic comedy series after its third season, but the producers pitched its fourth season to the streaming service Hulu for pick-up. Hulu revived the show carrying 26 episodes of its latest season last May.
According to Venture Capital Post, “The Following” was also lobbied by the producers to Hulu for possible rescuing but the streaming service has declined the offer.
Created by Kevin Williamson, “The Following” revolves around a former FBI agent recruited again for a quest to re-capture a particular serial killer that’s also a leader of a cult. Kevin Bacon top bills the series, playing as Agent Ryan Hardy opposite James Purefoy as Joe Carroll, the professor-turned-killer and cult leader Bacon’s character is after.
Natalie Zea, Valorie Curry, and Shawn Ashmore are the other main cast members acting as Carroll’s ex-wife Claire Matthews, Carroll’s love interest Emma Hill, and FBI agent Mike Weston, respectively.
Jointly produced by Outerbanks Entertainment and Warner Bros Television, the show premiered on Fox on January 21, 2013. It then went on to have a 15-episode order per season during its three-year run.
“The Following” premiered to strong ratings, even earning critical acclaim and nominations for Kevin Bacon and thus created a huge fan base. USA Today noted that it was the most violent and frightening show ever aired on a commercial broadcast network, but ratings continuously went on a downward spiral when the show returned for its second and third seasons. New York Times described the series as something that is difficult to watch as each episode airs despite the great acting rapport between the characters of Bacon and Purefoy.
According to a Reddit forum, some fans already expressed doubts for the show’s potential to be renewed, adding that Season 1 started and ended on a great note but with how Seasons 2 and 3 went, the show just did not live up to the fans’ expectations. The final season focused on Hardy’s life after Carroll’s arrest with the latter being on death row waiting for his execution. It also focused on Weston’s plan to hunt down a new cult leader Mark Grey, played by Sam Underwood.
Fans of the show were taken by surprise when Fox did not commission the series for another season. It also seems the cast and crew were caught off guard by the network’s decision especially with the major cliffhanger last season with agent Hardy faking his own death and fans finding out Eliza, played by Mannet Mahendru, is actually working for the bad guys. These major questions were supposed to be answered during the course of the fourth season, but with the show generating lower ratings, Fox just couldn’t hold on to the show much longer.
One of the best …leave it to the powers that be to cancel
Agreed! Absolutely LOVED this show!
Great show…started off a little slow, but has been edge of your seat entertainment since then. The way it was left would make for a great final season. Cmon Netflix, grab it up!!!!!