‘The Following’ Season 2 Premiere Spoilers: Joe Carroll Lives, But Claire Matthews Dies

“The Following” returns and with the new season comes a new villain, but lucky for us and the followers, Joe Carroll is still living. James Purefoy, who will reprise his role as the sickly sweet Carroll revealed his return at the 2014 Winter TCA press tour, stating, "I did tell everybody that I thought I was dead," Purefoy admitted about last season's cliffhanger finale. "But I always knew I was going to live." While we are relieved/annoyed at Carroll’s seemingly miraculous resurrection, unfortunately some other characters will not fare as well as the Poe enthusiast. His ex-wife and muse, Claire Matthews, will only be returning to “The Following” for a brief time. Showrunner Kevin Williamson revealed that the Season 2 premiere episode, “Resurrection” will pick back up right where fans left off in Ryan Hardy’s apartment. "The first episode we answer Claire's fate in the first minute of the show. We come right back in right where we left off. Then we go one year later and Ryan's new chapter begins," we are left only to assume that Ryan’s new chapter means life after Claire, who he had a passionate relationship with.

Fans were able to learn of the pair’s past through multiple flashbacks that revealed their steamy relationship, however, in the Season 1 finale it was revealed that Claire and Joe had rekindled their romance after Joe’s presumed death, the pair soon learned that “The Following” was not finished with either of them. Kevin Bacon, who plays Ryan Hardy, also commented on the opening scene of Season 1 revealing that it is not only “chilling” but also has a truly “surprising outcome.” Maybe there is hope for Claire yet, but considering Natalie Zea’s absence on promotional tours, it’s safe to say she will ultimately met her maker, at the hands of one of her husband’s devotees.

In addition to a life and death swap for the once married couple, many things about Season 2 of “The Following” will change. After we learn about that fateful night in Ryan’ apartment, the premiere episode will fast forward a full year to the anniversary of Carroll’s “death,” where we met a freshly minted and sober Ryan, but as he explains things aren’t always as they appear. "One of the interesting things about this second season is seemingly I have lost my obsession for Joe," Bacon explained. "I've stepped to a different place in my life and Joe is no longer burning inside my heart in the way he was in Season 1. But like everything on “The Following,” things are not always what they seem." So we are still in for a classic Ryan vs. Carroll cat and mouse game, but this year there will be a twist. There is a new villain in town, the mystery antagonist played by Sam Underwood will bring an “emotionally violent” aspect to the new storyline.

“The Following” returns for its Season 2 premiere “Resurrection” on Sunday January 19 at 9 p.m., will you be watching? Comment below and let us know. Despite the hectic first season, this thrilling story has great potential for a second season, if you haven’t watched “The Following” be sure to catch up before Sunday, and if you are a loyal Ryan Hardy fan, keep on watching it only gets better!