The Following is moving a year into the future when season 2 begins, but not before the Fox series ties up one loose end.

Last season ended on a cliffhanger, and fans will finally get to find out the fate of the grievously injured Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea).

'The Following' Season 2: Ryan Hardy 'Has A Reason To Live' As Murders Begin, Deepens Relationships With Mike Weston & Max [VIDEO]

"Last season we ended with a brutal scene in my apartment, but what went on the air was actually a shortened version of that scene," said Kevin Bacon, who plays the FBI's Ryan Hardy, according to MTV. "So to get people back up to speed, we begin with the beginning of that scene and we extend it to see what the outcome was."

Once this tidbit is out of the way, however, The Following will introduce a new killer. Although it is unknown if Luke (Sam Underwood) is a protégé of the decidedly undead Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), according to TV Line, he and some associates will don a masks of the notorious murder and put an end to several unwitting victims during a subway attack. Luke's actions will not only bring Hardy back into the investigation, but they will also bring about the return of Carroll.

"He's done nothing in a year! [Carroll] realized that he needed to hide out, so he didn't get in touch with anybody," Purefoy told TV Guide, later adding that "Carroll is much more dangerous and is enjoying himself more. There's a twinkle in his eye now."

When the serial killer does make an appearance, fans can expect fewer references to Edgar Allan Poe. Instead the former literature professor will be emulating yet another writer.

'The Following' Season 2: Ryan Hardy Tormented By New Killer And Joe Carroll's Return, Aided By Niece Max [VIDEO]

"He is still Joe Carroll and crazy, but he realizes that he was just a copycat, a plagiarist," explained executive producer Kevin Williamson, according to TV Guide. "He was ripping off Poe left and right, and in a really bad way, so this time, he moves on to a better writer. He goes to the greatest story ever told."

The Following returns to Fox at 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 27. Click the video below to see a preview of season 2.