Mindhunter 'set to return' but it won't be as a Netflix TV series

Mindhunter star Holt McCallany recently said that David Fincher told him there was a 'chance' that the celebrated Netflix series could return to our screens, but not in the form of a third season.

Netflix gets grief for quite a few things, but perhaps top of the list is the cancellation of popular shows before they've had a chance to reach a satisfactory conclusion. There's leaving fans wanting more and then there's leaving them in the lurch, with Mindhunter fans firmly belonging in the latter camp.

However, McCallany spoke to CBR and said some encouraging things about the possibility of a return, saying: "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.

Apparently there's a 'chance', it's better than nothing (Netflix)

"I know there are writers that that are working, but you know, David has to be happy with scripts.

"I felt very fortunate and privileged to have gotten to do that show at all. 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."

Let's hope they do.

What is Mindhunter about?

In case you've forgotten (it has been a while), Mindhunter is a Netflix show based on the book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit.

It follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (McCallany) as they team up with a psychologist named Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) to interview imprisoned serial killers and gain a new insight on newer crimes. The serial killers in the show are portrayals of real life murderers.

The show gained critical acclaim during its time on Netflix and built up a strong following that's been clamouring for a third instalment for years.

How long did Mindhunter run for?

While the show first sparked into being back in 2009 when Charlize Theron gave David Fincher the aforementioned book the series is based on, the first episodes weren't made and released until October 2017.

Just under a couple of years later in August 2019 the second season of Mindhunter released on Netflix, this time with nine episodes instead of 10 like the first season. Since then, there's been nothing, Mindhunter ran for 19 episodes, two seasons and just under two years so it's been almost six years since there's been anything new.

Netflix announced in 2020 that plans for a third season had been put on hold as Fincher wanted to work on other projects but might return to Mindhunter later on.

However, in 2023, the director announced that there would be no third season and the show was definitively over. He said it turned out to be an expensive show and reckoned Netflix wouldn't consider the cost of production worth the amount of money it was bringing in.

Mindhunter fans have something to hope for again, but it's the hope that kills you (Netflix)

What's the future of Mindhunter?

Given that the show has been dead and buried for a while, the future looked bleak for a long time, but McCallany's comments that there's a 'chance' is the brightest future Mindhunter has had for a while.

He explained that should plans for a trio of two-hour movies go ahead, then they'd be on Netflix.

The actor, who is in recently released Netflix show The Waterfront, said that 'in terms of dates and logistics, it could all be worked out'.

However, he added that any possible return hinged on 'David really having the time and the inclination and being happy with the material', which the actor said was 'a big question mark'.

On top of that, he said that they've 'gotta wait for the best actor on Broadway', a reference to his Mindhunter co-star Jonathan Groff.

McCallany said: "Working with him every day, like I did for two years, you know, was just a privilege for me, and that's one of the big reasons that I hope that Mindhunter will still come back in some form, you know, down the road."

It's a chance better than anything else Mindhunter has had for a while, so cross your fingers.

LADbible has contacted Netflix for comment.