Netflix, David Fincher, Reportedly in Talks for ‘Mindhunter’ Season 3
According to UK-based outlet Small Screen, Netflix and David Fincher are reportedly in talks to bring back Joe Penhall‘s true-crime masterpiece Mindhunter for a third season. Mindhunter is one of the best pieces of media produced by Netflix, and a third season would be a welcome surprise for the show’s dedicated fanbase. The series tells a fictionalized version of the real-life story of John Douglas and the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, a cutting-edge department that developed the psychological profiling techniques used to solve crimes to this day. Much of this revolves around solving or attempting to solve various serial killings that occurred in the 1970s and onward, complete with storylines revolving around real-life serial killers like Ed Kemper, Son of Sam, Dennis Rader, and more.
David Fincher was the very first creative signing by Netflix back in 2013 when they made the move to produce original content, being signed on to produce and direct a pilot for the hit show to-be House of Cards. Fincher has remained a staple of Netflix since, producing and directing Mindhunter and Mank under their banner while also in production on another feature film, The Killer, which will be distributed by the streaming service. While Fincher is something of a golden-boy for Netflix, Mindhunter season two did not pull in as many viewers as Netflix had hoped, and was therefore put on the shelf. Fincher has expressed a desire to continue the series onward into the 1990s and 2000s in order to resolve the Dennis Rader storyline, but has admitted to suffering from burnout after Netflix left him and Penhall short-staffed to complete season two.
Netflix reportedly asked him to focus on finishing Mank before re-opening talks for further Mindhunter episodes, and with Mank receiving ten Academy Award nominations, it stands to reason that Fincher should have a bit more leverage when these discussions reopen. Another item on the table is budget. Mindhunter is a big-budget show and Netflix reportedly does not see the show as worth their investment given the high cost relative to the number of viewers. Prior discussions had reportedly involved a reduced budget for any potential third season, which Fincher has said would make the season impossible.
Mindhunter has a small but dedicated fanbase of both true-crime and Fincher aficionados who have been chomping at the bit for a third season. Mindhunter masterfully dramatizes true events with a focus on psychological realism and complex character development as well as heavy doses of Fincher’s trademark slick, advertising-friendly cinematic style. Season one was plenty good but the show really shines in season two, which follows the Atlanta child murders of the late 1970s and early 1980s and the many forensic, psychological, and socio-political problems that have prevented any real closure regarding the case. It is uncertain if a potential season three would jump ahead to the end that Fincher is looking for, or if it would continue the story at a more measured pace with the intent to have additional seasons beyond a third. In any event, more Mindhunter is a great thing, and something for fans of the show, and quality television in general, to be excited about.
