I’ve noticed a weird trend when it comes to really good TV shows. First, they’d be met with critical acclaim and top the streaming charts. Then, they’d score a few accolades and, in some cases, go viral on social media. But after just one or two seasons, I’d see a cancellation announcement.
This, unfortunately, was the case for Netflix’s Mindhunter, which is easily one of the best shows on Netflix right now. In case you’ve yet to watch it, it’s a gripping crime thriller about FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), who team up with a psychologist to pursue the most notorious criminals. Their method? Interviewing imprisoned serial killers to gain a deeper understanding of their psychology and, more importantly, gain insight into open cases.
Oscar-nominated director David Fincher spearheaded this series, which is based on the book Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. It scored two Emmy nominations and boasts an approval rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Also, the critics’ consensus for season two 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.”
With such an intriguing plot and phenomenal performances, I figured another season of the show was a given. So, you could imagine my surprise when I learned the series would not return for a third season.
As for why the show got nixed by Netflix, director David Fincher told Forbes in 2023, “I’m very proud of the first two seasons. But it’s a very expensive show and, in the eyes of Netflix, we didn’t attract enough of an audience to justify such an investment.”
Patrick Harbron/Netflix
He continued, “I don’t blame them, they took risks to get the show off the ground, gave me the means to do Mank the way I wanted to do it, and they allowed me to venture down new paths with The Killer. It’s a blessing to be able to work with people who are capable of boldness. The day our desires are not the same, we have to be honest about parting ways.”
For context, Fincher co-created Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots and served as the director for projects like House of Cards, Mank and most recently, The Killer. So, fortunately, there’s more content to help fill the void.
If you’re like me and you’re already missing Agents Ford and Tench, you now can re-binge the series in its entirety on Netflix.
