Hopes for a third season of the acclaimed David Fincher series Mindhunter have been unexpectedly reignited. After a long period of dormancy, with the last season airing in 2019, most news on the series has largely pointing towards it being definitively over due to high production costs and Fincher’s busy schedule. That would be a tragedy, given the show’s success and popularity with fans, and though the fight seemed over, one star has emerged with a ray of hope: you can read his comments below.
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In a recent interview with CBR, star Holt McCallany, who plays Bill Tench in the series, revealed discussions with Fincher about a potential new path forward for the psychological crime thriller. McCallany’s comments suggest that while challenges remain, the door for more Mindhunter might not be entirely closed, with the story possibly taking on a more condensed format.
“So look, you know, I had a meeting with David Fincher in his office a few months ago, and he said to me that there is a chance that it may come back as three two-hour movies, but I think it’s just a chance,” McCallany shared. “I know there are writers who are working, but you know, David has to be happy with scripts.” This statement alone is a significant development, indicating that creative work, at least on a conceptual level, is happening. The proposed format of three two-hour movies is a particularly interesting aspect, potentially offering a way to continue the story without committing to the exhaustive production of a full season, which was previously cited as a major hurdle.
“I felt very fortunate and privileged to have gotten to do that show at all,” McCallany continued, expressing his own desire for the show’s return while tempering expectations. “I would love it if it were to return. I think, like I said, you know, he gave me a little bit of hope when I had that meeting with him, but the sun, the moon, and the stars would all have to align.” The actor also highlighted a potentially favorable logistical point, noting his current work with Netflix on the new series The Waterfront. “The good news is that we’re at Netflix with The Waterfront, and those movies would also be for Netflix. So I think that in terms of dates and logistics, it could all be worked out, but it has to do, you know, with David really having the time and the inclination and being happy, you know, with the material. And, you know, that’s a big question mark.”
Mindhunter‘s Journey and Unfinished Arc
Mindhunter quickly established itself as a critical darling and a cult favorite upon its debut in 2017. The series, based on the true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, offered a meticulously crafted look at the early days of criminal profiling at the FBI. Set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the show followed FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), as they interviewed incarcerated serial killers to understand their motives and develop methods for catching others. Unsurprisingly, Fincher’s signature atmospheric directorial style, the series’ intelligent writing, and Mindhunter‘s compelling performances garnered widespread praise.
Despite its acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, Netflix put Mindhunter on indefinite hold after its second season in 2019, eventually releasing the actors from their contracts in January 2020. Fincher himself later confirmed the show was likely over, citing the high production costs relative to its viewership numbers as a primary reason. He explained that the show was very expensive and, from Netflix’s perspective, didn’t attract a large enough audience to justify the significant investment required for a third season. This cancellation was particularly frustrating for fans because Fincher had reportedly envisioned a five-season arc for the series.
The idea of concluding Mindhunter with three two-hour movies presents a compelling compromise. This format could provide a satisfying way to address some of the lingering plot threads and bring a sense of closure to the overarching narrative, particularly the BTK Killer (Sonny Valicenti) storyline that was subtly woven through the first two seasons. Netflix has occasionally provided similar wrap-ups for beloved but prematurely ended series, like Sense8. This precedent shows that the streaming giant is sometimes willing to find alternative ways to conclude stories for dedicated audiences, making the movie-format proposal for Mindhunter a genuinely hopeful, if still uncertain, prospect.
The first two seasons of Mindhunter are currently available on Netflix.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of Mindhunter returning as three movies? Let us know in the comments!
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