Kevin Williamson brings his new show The Following to TV tonight in the States and here tomorrow evening and to celebrate, we’ve had a look back at the career of one of American TV’s biggest creative names.
Williamson may now be known for his TV endeavours, but it was on the big screen that he initially made his name, writing a series of horror films that became synonymous with the 1990s, most famously the series of genre defining Scream films and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
While he had now become permanently attached to the Scream franchise, Kevin decided to move away from the world of horror movies and go to the world of TV. Strangely enough though, it wasn’t to bring the slashers that he’d become known for to the small screen, but an angst-ridden teen drama.
The semi-autobiographical Dawson’s Creek was to become a massive success, the story of group of friends learn to deal with their adolescence striking a chord both domestically and internationally, becoming a touchstone TV show of a generation and launching the careers of a number of its stars.
After the colossus that was Dawson’s Creek had run its course (probably a year or two after it really should have) success one the same level just didn’t present itself to Williamson.
Both his next two shows failed to hit the mark when it came to ratings, with both his return to horror Demontown and his attempt at an OC style teen drama Hidden Palm getting cancelled within ten episodes, despite the latter in particular getting positive reviews from critics.
When he would next try and get a TV show on the air, he went with a safe bet. Vampires.
Adapting the books of L.J. Smith, Williamson looked to grab onto the modern trend of vampiric love that had emerged since the release of Twilight and absolutely hit the nail on the head, creating a show that has become a fan favourite.
Williamson’s horror roots have begun to show more and more throughout the lifespan of the show, with The Vampire Diaries’ tone incredibly dark for a show on mainstream US TV network and displays a level of grizzly gore that even the most ardent off horror buffs will be pleased.
While his other attempt at capturing the world of the supernatural in the form of The Secret Circle wasn’t picked up past its first series, The Vampire Diaries has gone from strength to strength.
With The Following, he’s following that path once again, with the show displaying a level of gruesome violence that is more than a little shocking to see on American channel Fox.
With massive star power attached in the form of Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy, Williamson will be hoping that his tale of serial killers fares as well as his anguished teens and his blood-sucking love triangle.
Whatever the ratings figures have to say, it’s a Williamson’s transition to TV’s horror guru shows that perseverance really does work in TV.
The Following starts tonight in America and tomorrow night on Sky Atlantic in the UK.
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith