'The Following' casts Annie Parisse as Kevin Bacon's FBI partner

Kevin Williamson's FOX drama "The Following" has cast its new female lead. Annie Parisse of "Law & Order" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" will play Debra Parker, a cult specialist sent in by the FBI to assist Kevin Bacon's character, Ryan Hardy, in taking down notorious serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy).

Debra is described as a study in contradiction. "She can be extremely mannered and polite, friendly with a great sense of humor - then rip you to shreds if necessary. She'll follow the rules one minute and break them the next - even change them if it suits her," the breakdown specifies.

She isn't afraid to use her sexuality to get results, and get them she does -- in fact, she's known for her success and her track record has few black marks. Of course, this is a Kevin Williamson show -- so we can expect her to have some serious skeletons in her closet. 

The character replaces Jeananne Goossen's character, who will be sent back to Quantico after the first episode.