Mindhunter (TV series)

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Mindhunter

Crime drama
Genre
Psychological thriller

Created by Joe Penhall

Based on Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial

Crime Unit

by 

John Douglas

Mark Olshaker

Starring Jonathan Groff

Holt McCallany

Hannah Gross

Cotter Smith

Anna Torv

Stacey Roca

Cameron Britton

Michael Cerveris

Joe Tuttle

Lauren Glazier

Albert Jones

Sierra McClain

June Carryl

Music by Jason Hill

Country of origin United States

Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2

No. of episodes 19 (list of episodes)

Production

Executive producer(s) Beth Kono

Charlize Theron

Joe Penhall

Ceán Chaffin

Joshua Donen

David Fincher

Courtenay Miles

Producer(s) Jim Davidson

Mark Winemaker

Liz Hannah

Production location(s) Pennsylvania

Cinematography Christopher Probst

Erik Messerschmidt

Editor(s) Kirk Baxter

Tyler Nelson

Byron Smith

Eric Zumbrunnen

Grant Surmi

Running time 34–73 minutes

Production company(s) Denver and Delilah Productions

Distributor Netflix

Release

Original network Netflix

Picture format 4K (Ultra HD)[1]

Audio format Dolby Digital 5.1

Original release October 13, 2017 –

present

External links
 Official website

Mindhunter is an American crime thriller web television series created by Joe Penhall,

based on the true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit written
by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker.[2] The series is executive produced by
Penhall, David Fincher, and Charlize Theron among others, and debuted worldwide
on Netflix on October 13, 2017.[3][4] Netflix released the second season on August 16,
2019.[5] In January 2020, Netflix announced that the series was on indefinite hold. [6]

Contents

 1Plot
 2Cast and characters
o 2.1Main
o 2.2Recurring
o 2.3Guests
 3Development and production
 4Episodes
o 4.1Season 1 (2017)
o 4.2Season 2 (2019)
 5Reception
o 5.1Critical response
o 5.2Accolades
 6References
 7External links

Plot[edit]
Mindhunter revolves around FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench
(Holt McCallany), along with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), who operate the
FBI's Behavioral Science Unit within the Training Division at the FBI
Academy in Quantico, Virginia. They interview imprisoned serial killers to understand
how they think, with the hope of applying this knowledge to solve ongoing cases. [7]
Season one is set in 1977 to 1980, in the early days of criminal psychology and criminal
profiling at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Notorious serial killer Edmund
Kemper (Cameron Britton) has a recurring role in this season as he assists Ford and
Tench in understanding how a serial killer's mind works.
Season two is set in 1980 through 1981 and covers the Atlanta murders of 1979–81.
[8]
 This is based on the real case of Wayne Williams who was charged for the murder of
two adult men but was never found guilty of killing at least 28 children and/or
adolescents.

Cast and characters[edit]

Main[edit]
 Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford, a special agent in the FBI's Behavioral Science
Unit.
 Holt McCallany as Bill Tench, a special agent in the FBI's Behavioral Science
Unit.
 Anna Torv as Wendy Carr, a psychology professor working towards tenure
at Boston University who joins the BSU. She is a closeted lesbian.
 Hannah Gross as Debbie Mitford, Ford's girlfriend and a graduate student in
sociology at the University of Virginia (season 1).
 Cotter Smith as Robert Shepard, the assistant director at the FBI
Academy overseeing the Behavioral Science Unit (season 1; guest season 2).
 Stacey Roca as Nancy Tench, Bill's wife (season 2; recurring season 1).
 Joe Tuttle as Gregg Smith, a special agent newly assigned to the Behavioral
Science Unit (season 2; recurring season 1).
 Michael Cerveris as Ted Gunn, Shepard's successor as overseer of the
Behavioral Science Unit (season 2).
 Lauren Glazier as Kay Manz, a bartender and Carr's love interest (season 2).
 Albert Jones as Jim Barney, an Atlanta FBI agent (season 2; guest season 1)
 Sierra McClain as Tanya Clifton, a hotel worker who brings Holden's attention to
the Atlanta child murders (season 2)
 June Carryl as Camille Bell, a grieving mother of Yusef Bell, one of the Atlanta
murder victims and the organizer of the Committee to Stop Children's Murders
(season 2)
Recurring[edit]

 Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper, a serial killer interviewed by Ford and Tench.

 Alex Morf as Mark Ocasek, a police officer from Altoona, Pennsylvania.
 Joseph Cross as Benjamin Barnwright, a murder suspect in Altoona.
 Marc Kudisch as Roger Wade, a Fredericksburg elementary school principal.
 Michael Park as Peter Dean, an OPR investigator.
 George R. Sheffey as John Boylen, an OPR investigator.
 Duke Lafoon as Gordon Chambers, an Adairsville detective.
 Peter Murnik as Roy Carver, a Sacramento detective.
 Happy Anderson as Jerry Brudos, a serial killer interviewed by Ford and Tench.
 Sonny Valicenti as ADT serviceman / Dennis Rader (BTK)[9][10][11]
 Zachary Scott Ross as Brian Tench, Bill and Nancy's adopted son.
 Nate Corddry as Detective Art Spencer (season 2)
 Regi Davis as Maynard Jackson, Mayor of Atlanta (season 2)
 Gareth Williams as Redding, Chief of Atlanta police (season 2)
 Drew Seltzer as Dale Harmon, Bill and Nancy's neighbor (season 2)
 Dohn Norwood as Lee Brown, Atlanta Police Commissioner (season 2)
 Brent Sexton as Garland Periwinkle (season 2)
 Christopher Livingston as Wayne Williams (season 2)
Guests[edit]

 Lena Olin as Annaliese Stilman, Carr's former lover and head of the Psychology
Department at Boston University (season 1).
 Sam Strike as Montie Rissell, a serial killer interviewed by Ford and Tench.
(season 1)
 Jack Erdie as Richard Speck, a mass murderer interviewed by Ford and Tench.
(season 1)
 Oliver Cooper as David Berkowitz (season 2)
 Robert Aramayo as Elmer Wayne Henley, Jr. (season 2)
 Michael Filipowich as William "Junior" Pierce (season 2)
 Corey Allen as William Henry Hance (season 2)
 Damon Herriman as Charles Manson (season 2)
 Christopher Backus as Tex Watson (season 2)
 Morgan Kelly as Paul Bateson (season 2)

Development and production[edit]

The development of Mindhunter began in 2009 when Charlize Theron gave a non-fiction
crime book titled Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit to David Fincher.[12]
[13]
 In January 2010 the Mindhunter project was set up at Fox 21, which had optioned the
book, along with premium cable channel HBO. Scott Buck was tapped to write the pilot.
[14][15]
 Fincher, who was mostly known as a director and producer in films, felt at that time
that television was "completely foreign" until he worked on the political drama House of
Cards, for which he co-produced and directed the first two episodes. [12] When Fincher
finally felt comfortable with television as a medium after doing House of Cards,[12] Theron
suggested playwright and screenwriter Joe Penhall as the project's writer,[12][13] replacing
Buck.[15] In December 2015, Mindhunter was moved to streaming service Netflix,[13][15] with
Fox 21 dropping out of the project.[15]
In February 2016 Netflix announced that the production of Mindhunter would be based
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[16] Filming began in May 2016,[17] and open casting calls were
held on April 16 and June 25, 2016.[18][19] Episode 9 of season 1 was filmed
in Moundsville, West Virginia at the West Virginia State Penitentiary.[20] The series was
renewed for a second season before its premiere on Netflix. [21]
The character of Holden Ford is loosely based on FBI agent John E. Douglas, on whose
book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit the show is based.[22][23] The
character of Bill Tench is based on pioneering FBI agent Robert K. Ressler.[24] Wendy
Carr is a fictional character based on psychiatric forensic nurse researcher Ann Wolbert
Burgess,[25][26] a prominent Boston College nursing professor who collaborated with the
FBI agents in the Behavioral Science Unit and procured grants to conduct research on
serial murderers, serial rapists, and child molesters.[27][28] Her work is based on treating
survivors of sexual trauma and abuse, and studying the thought process of violent
offenders.[28] The serial killer characters were modeled on the actual convicted criminals
and their prison scene dialogues were taken from real interviews. [29] Although not
explicitly stated, it is implied that the ADT serviceman seen in several short vignettes
throughout the first season is Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer.[30][31] This is clarified in the
second season.[32]
The musical score is written by Jason Hill.[33]
The second season was originally reported to consist of eight episodes; [34] however, the
season ultimately contained nine episodes. Shooting took place between April and
December 2018.[35] Directors for the second season were Fincher, Andrew Dominik,
and Carl Franklin.[36]
In November 2019, it was reported that a potential third season had been put on
indefinite hold until Fincher finished working on his next film, Mank.[37] Fincher plans to
make five seasons.[38] In January 2020, Netflix announced that the cast had been
released from their contracts and that the series was on indefinite hold, as Fincher was
busy with other projects. A Netflix spokesperson stated, "He may
revisit Mindhunter again in the future, but in the meantime felt it wasn't fair to the actors
to hold them from seeking other work while he was exploring new work of his own." [6]

Episodes[edit]
Seaso
Episodes Originally released
n

1 10 October 13, 2017

2 9 August 16, 2019

Season 1 (2017)[edit]
No. No. in
Title Directed by
overall season

1 1 "Episode 1" David Fincher

FBI Special Agent Holden Ford fails to prevent the suicide of Cody Miller in a 1977 hostage situation in Braddock, Pennsylvan
promoted to teaching. Ford takes an interest in another class delving into the minds of killers, taught by Peter Rathman. Ford, w
Ford seeks additional education in criminal psychology. Ford is referred to Bill Tench, Head of Behavioral Science. Tench take
take offense when Ford suggests that Charles Manson is a victim. As Tench counsels Ford to simplify his method, the two are a

2 2 "Episode 2" David Fincher

In Wichita, Kansas, an ADT serviceman demands the cardboard core for empty electrical tape. Tench and Ford arrive at San Fra
to gain access to Manson. Local police, however, suggest that Ford meet Edmund Kemper, the coed killer. Tench has no interes
Meanwhile, an elderly woman in Sacramento is attacked and her dog's throat is slashed. Ford convinces Tench to accompany hi
home, Debbie wants Ford to meet her mother and states her mother judges her boyfriends by their relationship with their own m
in the basement.

3 3 "Episode 3" Asif Kapadia

The ADT serviceman stares at a house before getting in a van and driving away. Ford and Tench approach Dr. Wendy Carr, a so
Miller is declined. Another elderly woman in Sacramento has been attacked and her dog's throat slashed from ear to ear, but this
relationship with his mother as Kemper did. The police set their sights on Dwight Taylor, a man in his 30s with an abusive moth
deviant words. Carr arrives in Fredericksburg as a consultant for the FBI.

4 4 "Episode 4" Asif Kapadia

Ford and Tench interview Montie Rissell, a serial killer who murdered five women in Virginia. Rissell shows no remorse for his
sophisticated than Kemper in his technique and killed his first victim because she was a sex worker who did not resist rape. He l
as Kemper. Tench gets into a car accident. In Altoona, Pennsylvania, Tench and Ford join local police officer Mark Ocasek in in
and local welder Alvin Moran. However, Moran's alibi checks out. Tench reveals that he has an adopted six-year-old son named
in grant money to fund their research.

5 5 "Episode 5" Tobias Lindholm

In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the investigation into the murder of Beverly Jean continues. Ford, Tench, and Ocasek interview her "
strangers could be an act. The police speak with Benji's mother. Benji's mother mentions Frank Janderman, Benji's brother-in-la
pathology of a serial killer. After interviewing Frank, the police discover that Benji's relationship with Beverly Jean was not as s
sister, at her house. She is seen with bruises. Ocasek warns Rose that if the FBI finds out any involvement between her and the m
Beverly Jean's disappearance. The truth unravels as Rose claims that Frank called her to Benji's house the night of the murder an

6 6 "Episode 6" Tobias Lindholm

The ADT serviceman is seen with a rope making a knot while his wife tends to their infant daughter. Shepard offers Carr a full-
Rose arrived. The police conclude that Benji, Rose, and Frank are all accomplices. Back in Fredericksburg, Debbie and Ford ha
Frank. Carr returns to Boston and asks her partner, Annaliese Stilman, for her opinion on accepting the FBI's offer. Annaliese w
 7 7 "Episode 7" Andrew Douglas

Tench and Ford travel to Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon to interview Jerry Brudos. Brudos admits to having a shoe
cat at her new house in Fredericksburg. Tench and Nancy talk about Brian's behavior at school. At their home, Brian's babysitte
afraid to continue working there.

8 8 "Episode 8" Andrew Douglas

Ford is invited to speak at an elementary school and is approached by a teacher, Janet Ebner, who is concerned with Principal R
The Behavioral Science Unit hires Gregg Smith. Ford asks Gregg to come with him to speak with Wade, whom he suspects of b
Ford's latest investigation, and Ford is advised to drop the issue. Ford returns to Oregon to meet with Brudos, who is more talka
leaves. Ford receives a call from the school superintendent informing him that Wade will be let go.

9 9 "Episode 9" David Fincher

The ADT serviceman is sitting in the house of an intended victim. When the clock strikes midnight and the victim shows no sig
Center in Joliet, Illinois, Ford and Tench interview Richard Speck. Speck shows no interest in cooperating until Ford asks what
comment from the interview. Ford and Debbie reconcile. Ford is confronted by Wade's wife at his apartment. Carr notices that f
murder of Lisa Dawn Porter, a 12-year-old-girl in Adairsville, Georgia. The police notice that the trees have been trimmed and s
complaint accusing Ford of "fucking with his head". The unit gives the redacted interview transcript to the OPR. Back in the ba

10 10 "Episode 10" David Fincher

Kemper writes Ford saying he would like to meet with him again. Devier agrees to meet the FBI voluntarily. Ford uses techniqu
about the unit's involvement with serial killers. His boasts reach the press. Carr flies to Rome, Georgia in hopes of preventing th
doctor. The unit learns that the OPR have received the recording of the Speck interview, and interview Ford and Tench about it.
hall in a panic attack. In Kansas, the ADT serviceman is seen burning sadistic drawings.

Season 2 (2019)[edit]
No. No. in
Title Directed by
overall season

11 1 "Episode 1" David Fincher

The ADT serviceman's wife walks in on him performing autoerotic asphyxiation. Holden wakes up in the hospital and learns he
support to the BSU and even does away with the OPR inquiry. Holden tells Wendy about his panic attacks and points out that h
to another attack. At Shepard's retirement party, Shepard angrily reveals to Holden that he is being forced to retire as someone h
else.

12 2 "Episode 2" David Fincher

The ADT serviceman's wife gives him a pamphlet about overcoming "deviance". Bill begins to look into the BTK killer and wit
get him to admit to lying about hearing voices and demons, furthering their data on classifications of killers. Bill and Wendy dis
Bill's wife, is the realtor of.

13 3 "Episode 3" David Fincher

While in Atlanta with Jim Barney to interview two killers (William "Junior" Pierce and William Henry Hance), Holden is appro
to be the body that was found murdered in the house that Nancy Tench is the realtor for, and the body was tied to a cross. Bill o

14 4 "Episode 4" Andrew Dominik

Holden develops a politically controversial profile of the child murderer in Atlanta, which the detail sent back. Wendy and Greg
have been a ruse to get Henley Jr. to speak. It is revealed that Brian was involved in the child murder in Bill's neighborhood.

15 5 "Episode 5" Andrew Dominik

Wendy's relationship with Kay heats up. Holden and Bill consult Kemper briefly to get some of his insight into the case in Atlan
and ends the interview early. Holden goes alone to interview Watson, one of Manson's followers, while Bill flies home on a red
attend a dinner party at Gunn's house. Bill reveals to Wendy what is going on at home. Another body is found in Atlanta.

16 6 "Episode 6" Carl Franklin

As the situation in Atlanta gets worse, FBI is officially sent to investigate and catch the murderer. Wendy and Gregg continue to

17 7 "Episode 7" Carl Franklin

Holden and Bill hit a dead end with their investigation to catch the Atlanta killer. Holden suggests a new plan to lure the killer. W

18 8 "Episode 8" Carl Franklin

Holden is persistent with his profiling to catch the Atlanta murderer. A disturbed Bill attempts to reconnect with his son. Wendy
site.

19 9 "Episode 9" Carl Franklin

The police and FBI focus their investigation on the primary suspect of the Atlanta murders but find it difficult to obtain physica

Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
The first season received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season has a
score of 79 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
[39]
 On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 97% "certified fresh" rating with an average score of
7.97 out of 10, based on 95 reviews, and the site's critical consensus states,
"Mindhunter distinguishes itself in a crowded genre with ambitiously cinematic visuals
and a meticulous attention to character development." [40] The first season
of Mindhunter was named among the best TV shows of 2017; it was ranked No. 10 on
Metacritic's year-end list of the best TV shows of 2017 compiled from rankings by
various critics and publications.[41]
The second season was also acclaimed. On Metacritic, the season has an average
score of 85 out of 100 from 12 critics."[42] On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds
an approval rating of 98% based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 8.43 out of
10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Mindhunter expands its narrative horizons
without losing sight of the details that made its first season so rich, crafting a chilling
second season that is as unsettling as it is utterly absorbing." [43]
Accolades[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.

TV Performance of the
Dorian Awards Jonathan Groff Nominated [44]

Year – Actor

Outstanding Guest
Primetime Emmy
Actor in a Drama Cameron Britton Nominated [45]

Awards
Series

Best Actor in a Drama /

Jonathan Groff Won
Genre Series
Satellite Awards [46]

Best Drama Series Mindhunter Nominated

2018

Best New Media

Saturn Awards Mindhunter Nominated [47]

Television Series

Outstanding New
TCA Awards Mindhunter Nominated [48]

Program

Joe Penhall, Jennifer
USC Scripter Best Adapted TV Haley, John E.
Nominated [49]

Awards Screenplay Douglas and Mark

Olshaker (for "Episode 10")

2020 Best Actor in a Drama /

Jonathan Groff Nominated
Genre Series
Satellite Awards [50]

Best Drama Series Mindhunter Nominated

[51]
Writers Guild of Drama Series Pamela Cederquist, Joshua Nominated
America Awards Donen, Marcus Gardley,
Shaun Grant, Liz Hannah,
Phillip Howze, Jason
Johnson, Doug Jung, Colin
Louro, Alex Metcalf,
Courtenay Miles, Dominic
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.

Orlando, Joe Penhall and

Ruby Rae Spiegel