Comic-Con is in full action and we now have some news on what’s to come next on hit Fox crime-drama The Following.

The season one finale left off with the cliffhanger of three death possibilities: Ryan (Kevin Bacon), Claire (Natalie Zea), and the one we were all hoping for, Joe (James Purefoy).

During the show’s Comic-Con panel, according to TVLine, Purefoy called leading man and star Kevin Bacon during the middle of the session – and appeared on stage, surprising the entire crowd! Purefoy plays the leader of the murderous cult of serial killers who recruits a group of hundreds of others to carry out his death wishes.

However, creator Kevin Williamson is giving no indication as to whether or not Joe will still be alive. The last we saw of him he was being set aflame in a fiery boat explosion after Ryan and Claire escaped.

“Yeah, I guess he might be alive,” Williamson said. “I don’t want to give too much else away, except to say Joe Carroll will figure into next season.”

TV Line also reported last week that Zea will be returning to the nighttime drama, but was very close to not returning. She was set to be killed off at the end of season one, but Fox executives chose to have her appear for the second season. Zea would not reveal if this meant her character was alive or if her appearance would be short lived. It was confirmed, however, that the finale was edited two different ways, indicating the writers can go either way with how they choose the fate of Claire.

According to Spoiler TV, season two will pick up a year after the events of the finale.

The Following will return to Fox in January 2014.

Image: Fox