Shawn Ashmore promises that tonight’s Season 2 finale of Fox’s “The Following” is bigger, better than last year’s cliffhanger. And for viewers, that’s a good thing.
“The roller coaster ride that we’re on — that we take the audience on — it constantly has to be upping itself,” the actor told TheWrap in the latest episode of “Dining With the Stars.”
See video: ‘The Following’s’ Shawn Ashmore on Season 2: ‘There’s a Lot of Thrills Coming Up’
Ashmore went on to say that a big season-ending shocker works best when the only thing higher for the audience than the physical stakes are the emotional ones.
“You want to have people invest in these characters,” the actor said, “so that when you do lose one, it’s important – it’s not just a throwaway death.”
Also read: Fox Renews ‘New Girl,’ ‘Mindy Project,’ ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and ‘The Following’
As TV becomes more serialized and seemingly more reliant on cliffhangers to reel audiences back in next season, Ashmore is aware of the balancing act necessary to pull off an ending that resonates.
“And that’s the challenge,” Ashmore said. “How big can you go? How crazy can you get?”
Audiences will find out when “The Following” airs tonight at 9 p.m.