The Following Exclusive: Meet Connie Nielsen's Lily Gray

Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) may have a new love interest on Season 2 of The Following, but their first encounter isn't exactly a meet-cute.

Actress Connie Nielsen has joined the Fox thriller as Lily Gray, an art gallery owner who witnesses a brutal subway rampage by acolytes of Joe Carroll (James Purefoy)  in the Season 2 premiere, which takes place a year after Carroll was supposedly killed in an explosion. But is the fact that Lily survives the slaughter a mere coincidence, or does it serve a larger purpose?

Winter TV Preview: Hot scoop on The Following and other returning shows

"She is the sole survivor from this attack, and is in the hospital," Nielsen explains in the teaser video below, exclusive to TVGuide.com. "And it seems as if they're only sparing Lily to give a message to Ryan."

Adds Bacon of his new co-star: "She's an actress whose work I've always admired."

Check out the exclusive introductory video below:

The Following kicks off Season 2 with a preview episode on Jan. 19 after the NFC Championship Game on Fox. The official Season 2 premiere airs Monday, Jan. 27 at 9/8c.