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Cover Story Dark and deadly: 'The Following' returns for a thrilling and unpredictable second season By Shona Dustan TV Media L ast season's darkest, most haunting network drama is back for round 2 — and its sophomore season promises even more thrills and chills. After a Season 1 finale that left fans breathless and lives hanging in the balance, Season 2 of "The Following," a tale of suspense, serial murder and mind games, continues Monday, Jan. 27, on Fox. Kevin Bacon stars as former FBI agent Ryan Hardy, a man whose life has been turned upside down by a serial killer. Hardy's backstory plays out slowly throughout Season 1, and it quickly becomes clear that this man has seen his fair share of tragedy. Bacon's portrayal of an unraveled former cop is right on point and, as audiences watched Hardy pull himself together to save the woman he loved from the man who has repeatedly destroyed his life, he became the complex and flawed hero for which everyone can root. The debut of "The Following" marked major film star Bacon's first foray into network television since his brief stint on "Guiding Light" in 1980, and the actor definitely did not disappoint. Bacon is probably best known for headlining the cult-classic dance flick "Footloose" (1984), though he's also frequently lauded for being a skilled character actor — meaning he excels in eccentric, supporting roles. "JFK" (1991), "Sleepers" (1996) and "Frost/Nixon" (2008) are just a few of the critically acclaimed films in which he's had powerful supporting parts, and Bacon has brought all of the intensity and believability he exudes in those films to the character of Ryan Hardy. As for what's in store for his tortured, haunted character this year, Bacon isn't divulging too much: "We might jump time a little bit. You might see a character (a Ryan Hardy) who is in a slightly different headspace than where he has been." Mysterious. Hardy's nemesis is Joe Carroll, a professor of literature whom Hardy already put away for serial A/Crossroads Church 1/32 pg 2 • January 26 - February 1, 2014 murder several years ago. While in prison, Carroll uses his charisma, handsome face and literary prowess to bewitch those around him, influencing many to join what ultimately becomes a cult of followers. Carroll has a bit of an Edgar Allan Poe fetish, a trait reflected in the murderous actions of his following, who carry out murders for their leader in some very creepy ways. The handsome, debonair Carroll is played by British actor James Purefoy ("A Knight's Tale" (2001), "John Carter" (2012)), who brings the charm and the creepy in just the right amounts. Watching Purefoy's Carroll leaves you simultaneously intrigued and repulsed, but always wanting more. The Season 1 finale left Carroll's fate ambiguous. Though the FBI seems to think he died in an explosion (they even have a body and dental records to back them up), savvy viewers know that no TV villain's death is ever certain if it happens off-screen. It sounds like those fans might be right — in July, series creator Kevin Williamson said: "Yeah, I guess he might be alive. I don't want to give too much else away, except to say Joe Carroll will figure into next season." In an interview with The Huffington Post, Williamson elaborated more on Carroll's status in Season 2: "[He] may need to reimagine who he is as a man and a killer. That Edgar Allan Poe stuff didn't work out so well, so he's going to have to figure out a new way. ... How did this man become this way? What happened in his past? Where were the seeds of evil planted?" Fans of the show are dying to know more about Carroll's past (how on earth does someone become that evil?) and it looks like Season 2 could provide some answers. Also returning for the show's second season is FBI Agent Mike Weston, a character who had some scarring (even near-death) experiences last season. Canadian actor Shawn Ashmore ("XMen" (2000), "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006)) plays Weston, an agent who once idolized Hardy and has since become a friend and brother-inarms of the damaged detective. Last season saw Weston come to a hard-earned realization about James Purefoy and Kevin Bacon star in "The Following" the hunt for Carroll and his followers, as Ashmore explained to The Huffington Post: "I think the FBI [has] to play by the rules to a certain extent, or at least they're being forced to. Whereas the following, they don't have any rules. They can do whatever they want. It's anarchy. Ryan, I think from the beginning, knows that we have to break the rules. We have to step out of bounds to catch these guys." The list of characters not returning this season is a long one, largely because so many of them died at some point in Season 1. Lead baddies Jacob Wells (Nico Tortorella, "Scream 4" (2011)), Paul Torres (Adan Canto, "Casi treinta" (2013)) and Tim "Roderick" Nelson (Warren Kole, "The Avengers" (2012)) all met their ends last year, as well as Agent Debra Parker (Annie Parisse, "National Treasure" (2004)), who was buried alive by Carroll's followers. Uncertain is the status of Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea, "The Other Guys" (2010)), Carroll's ex-wife and Hardy's love interest. Stabbed at the end of the Season 1 finale, it's unclear whether Claire survived the attack or died like so many of the show's other characters. Catch all the drama and tie up some loose ends when "The Following" returns with a new episode, airing Monday, Jan. 27, on Fox. Med Plus 1/16 pg Communities listed D - Danville V - Veedersburg H - Hoopeston O - Oakwood TVWeek V - Veedersburg Ca - Cayuga Co - Covington W - Westville

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