This Underrated Serial Killer Thriller Has 2 Seasons on Netflix—But the Director Says There Won't Be a Third

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."