The Following Returns to Netflix: Kevin Bacon’s Cult Thriller Gets Second Life After 8 Years

After an eight-year absence, Kevin Bacon’s darkest television role is making a triumphant return to Netflix. The Following, the intense psychological thriller that ran on Fox from 2013 to 2015, will be available for streaming starting January 3, 2026, giving a new generation of viewers access to all three seasons (45 episodes) of this cult classic.

Long-time Netflix subscribers will remember this series as a streaming staple during the mid-2010s before it quietly disappeared in September 2018 when Warner Bros. Television’s licensing deal expired. Now, thanks to the recent massive licensing agreement between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix, this cat-and-mouse thriller is getting the comeback it deserves.

The Following Streaming Details: When and Where to Watch

What Makes The Following Worth Watching?

The Premise: A Serial Killer’s Cult

The Following begins with a nightmare scenario: notorious serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) escapes from death row. But this isn’t your typical prison break thriller. Carroll, a charismatic former literature professor obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe, spent his incarceration cultivating a network of devoted followers—sleeper agents ready to kill at his command.

Enter Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), the alcoholic former FBI agent who originally captured Carroll years earlier. Despite being out of the field, Hardy is pulled back into action when Carroll’s escape triggers a series of brutal murders committed by his cult members. What follows is an intense psychological battle between two brilliant minds—one trying to stop the killing, the other orchestrating it like a twisted performance art piece.

Season-by-Season Breakdown

Season 1 (15 episodes) – The strongest and most cohesive season follows Hardy’s desperate attempts to recapture Carroll while protecting Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea), Carroll’s ex-wife. When cult members kidnap Claire’s son Joey, Hardy realizes he’s dealing with something far more dangerous than a single killer. The season builds to an explosive finale that leaves viewers breathless.

Season 2 (15 episodes) – After Carroll’s apparent death, a new cult emerges led by Lily Gray (Connie Nielsen) and her twin sons. Hardy discovers that Carroll may have faked his death, leading to new psychological games. The season introduces Hardy’s niece Max (Jessica Stroup), who becomes romantically involved with FBI agent Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore).

Season 3 (15 episodes) – The final season shifts focus to a new serial killer named Theo (Michael Ealy) and explores Hardy’s continuing obsession with stopping killers, even as it destroys his personal life. While considered the weakest season by critics, it provides closure to Hardy’s journey.

The Cast: Powerhouse Performances

Kevin Bacon as Ryan Hardy – Bacon delivers one of his career-best television performances as the troubled FBI agent. Hardy is an alcoholic haunted by his failures, scarred (literally and emotionally) from his previous encounter with Carroll. Bacon brings vulnerability and intensity to a character who becomes as obsessed with Carroll as Ahab was with Moby Dick.

James Purefoy as Joe Carroll – The British actor steals every scene as the charismatic cult leader. Carroll is intelligent, manipulative, and genuinely terrifying—a literature professor who views murder as art and his followers as characters in his twisted narrative. Purefoy’s performance earned widespread critical acclaim and became the show’s strongest element.

Shawn Ashmore as Mike Weston – The young FBI agent serves as Hardy’s protégé and moral compass. Weston represents idealism clashing with the harsh reality of hunting serial killers.

Supporting Cast – Natalie Zea (Claire Matthews), Valorie Curry (Emma Hill), and Sam Underwood (Mark/Luke Gray) all deliver memorable performances that add depth to this dark world.

Why The Following Disappeared and Why It’s Returning Now

The Following originally arrived on Netflix in late 2015 after concluding its Fox run. The series became a popular binge-watch, particularly for fans of crime thrillers like Hannibal and Mindhunter. However, when Warner Bros. Television’s streaming deal with Netflix expired in September 2018, the show moved to other platforms including The Roku Channel.

The return is part of Netflix’s broader acquisition strategy following their groundbreaking deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. This agreement allows classic Warner Bros. Television series to return to Netflix alongside newer content. Other shows benefiting from this deal include The West Wing and Absentia.

Currently, the return is confirmed only for Netflix US, with international availability yet to be announced.

Creator Kevin Williamson’s Dark Vision

Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind the Scream franchise and The Vampire Diaries, created The Following as his darkest project yet. Williamson revealed that the concept originated from an unused idea for Scream 3—a scene where Sidney Prescott would discover what appeared to be murdered victims, only for them to suddenly rise, revealing they were all part of a cult following the Ghostface killer.

This concept evolved into a full series exploring how charismatic leaders can manipulate vulnerable people into committing unspeakable acts. The show drew inspiration from real-life cult leaders like Charles Manson while adding Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic literature as thematic framework.

Williamson’s recent Netflix project, The Waterfront, was unfortunately canceled after one season, making The Following‘s return even more significant for his fans.

Critical Reception: Controversy and Acclaim

The Following premiered to massive ratings, with over 20 million viewers watching the first episode. Critics were divided, with some praising the intense performances and others criticizing the extreme violence for network television.

USA Today called it “one of the most violent, and certainly the most frightening, series ever made by a commercial broadcast network,” while praising the “exceedingly well played” match between Bacon and Purefoy.

Entertainment Weekly noted that “Both Bacon and Purefoy are so intensely earnest, The Following quickly supersedes its patent Silence of the Lambs setup.”

The show’s graphic violence sparked controversy, with some networks declining to air certain episodes. However, this intensity is precisely what made The Following a cult favorite among thriller enthusiasts who appreciated its willingness to push boundaries.

Season-by-season ratings: Season 1 holds a 7.4/10 on IMDb, with subsequent seasons rated slightly lower as some viewers felt the concept became repetitive. Most critics agree Season 1 remains the strongest, with diminishing returns in later seasons.

Is It Worth Your Time in 2026?

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with complex cat-and-mouse dynamics, The Following absolutely deserves a spot on your watchlist. The first season alone justifies the investment, delivering 15 episodes of tightly plotted suspense with genuinely shocking twists.

Watch if you liked: Mindhunter, Hannibal, True Detective, Dexter, or You. Fans of serial killer psychology and morally complex protagonists will find much to appreciate.

Skip if: You’re sensitive to graphic violence or prefer lighter crime procedurals. The Following doesn’t shy away from disturbing content, and its body count rivals prestige cable dramas.

The show’s greatest strength remains the Bacon-Purefoy dynamic. Their intellectual and psychological warfare elevates what could have been a standard thriller into something more compelling—a study of obsession, manipulation, and the thin line between hunter and hunted.

What Else Is Coming to Netflix in January 2026?

The Following joins other Warner Bros. Television titles making their way to Netflix as part of the major licensing deal. Another confirmed addition is Found, which recently wrapped its second and final season on NBC.

Netflix is also experiencing significant departures in January 2026, including Suits leaving in multiple territories. For complete lists of what’s arriving and leaving Netflix, check out the What’s on Netflix coverage.

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