What to Expect from Kevin Williamson’s The Following
IGN
http://m.ign.com/articles/2012/05/31/the-following-kevin-williamson-talks-about-his-new-serial-killer-themed-tv-series
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We’re pretty excited to see Kevin Williamson’s new TV project, “The Following”, and from the sound of things he’s just as excited for us to see it! Read on for a few more details of what we can expect.
During a recent interview with IGN, Williamson shared the following info on the series, which is heading to Fox at midseason, airing on Monday nights:
Regarding his inspiration for the show, Williamson said, “Well, I had the story – I was working on it 16 or 17 years ago. I was writing Scream, and this idea came to me at the same time. I put it in a box and didn’t deal with it until now. So I had tried to develop it as a series before, then I tried to develop it as a feature film, then I tried to develop it as a graphic novel — nothing quite worked. And then the time felt right, and I did it.”
As for the killer’s reach (“The Following” follows an ex-FBI agent (Kevin Bacon) called out of retirement to track down a devious and diabolical serial killer (James Purefoy), the mastermind behind a nationwide string of murder), Williamson didn’t want to give a lot away but did share that “it does seem to stretch from coast to coast to some degree. We’re dealing with a man who, while he was in prison…had Internet access through a weird, weird chain of events. He never should have had Internet access, but he did. And because of that they don’t know who he was contacting. So that’s kind of the conceit, and that could be anyone in the world.”
Lastly, it sounds as though Williamson foresees “The Following” running for more than just the 15-episode first season, explaining, “I have this season pretty much worked out and next season, because I know how big we’re gonna get, where the break-off point is gonna be, what the jeopardy and the stakes [are] — once you see the pilot, you’ll understand when I say that it actually kind of writes itself in terms of the framework of the first season. The serial killer lays it all out. And so the first season will be watching that happen, and then we’ll watch how our FBI team and Kevin Bacon’s character has to constantly stay one step ahead of him. Because a lot of the time they’re behind. That’ll be the whole show. It was the fun of ’24’ – Kiefer Sutherland always had a problem to solve, and that’s the same here. They just have to stop it before one more person dies. And unfortunately… a lot of people are going to die.”
Synopsis:
THE FBI estimates there are currently over 300 active serial killers in the United States. What would happen if these killers had a way of communicating and connecting with each other? What if they were able to work together and form alliances across the country? What if one brilliant psychotic serial killer was able to bring them all together and activate a following? Welcome to THE FOLLOWING, the terrifying new thriller from creator/executive producer Kevin Williamson (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Dawson’s Creek,” the Scream franchise) and director Marcos Siega (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Dexter”).
When notorious serial killer JOE CARROLL (James Purefoy, “Rome”) escapes from death row and embarks on a new killing spree, the FBI calls former agent RYAN HARDY (Emmy-nominated actor Kevin Bacon, X-Men: First Class) to consult on the case. Having since withdrawn from the public eye, Hardy was responsible for Carroll’s capture nine years ago, after Carroll murdered 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature. Hardy is a walking textbook of all-things Carroll. He knows him better than anyone; he is perhaps 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. This investigation is his redemption, his call to action. In contrast to nine years ago, Hardy isn’t calling the shots on this case. He works closely with an FBI team, which includes all-business and tough-as-nails JENNIFER MASON (Jeananne Goossen, The Vow, “Alcatraz”) and young, razor-sharp MIKE WESTON (Shawn Ashmore, X-Men).
The team considers Hardy 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 killers in the outside world. It quickly becomes obvious that he has more planned than just a prison escape, and there’s no telling how many additional killers are out there. The FBI’s investigation leads Hardy to CLAIRE MATTHEWS (Natalie Zea, “Justified”), Carroll’s ex-wife and mother of the criminal’s 10-year-old son, JOEY (newcomer 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 from nine years ago. Hardy becomes ever more determined to end Carroll’s game when he realizes that this psychopath intends to finish what he started. The thriller will follow Hardy and the FBI as they are challenged with the ever-growing web of murder around them, masterminded by the devious Carroll, who dreams of writing a novel with Hardy as his protagonist. The reinvigorated Hardy will get a second chance to capture Carroll, as he’s faced with not one but a cult of serial killers.
For more info visit “The Following” on Facebook, where you can find cast photos and additional info.
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