Why Was Mindhunter Canceled by Netflix?

Mindhunter was canceled after a successful two-season run, much to the disappointment of its loyal fan base. The psychological thriller drama by David Fincher was a massive hit among critics and audiences alike. So, when Netflix decided to cancel the show after two seasons, it came as quite a shock to everyone. After five years, fans are still raising the question of whether the global hit might return to the streaming giant.

Without further delay, here is all we know about the show’s possible renewal and why it was canceled in the first place.

Why did Netflix cancel Mindhunter after Season 2?

In an interview for the French publication Le Journal du Dimanche, creator David Fincher revealed the reason why Mindhunter was canceled by Netflix in 2019. The reason was that Netflix couldn’t cover the show’s high cost anymore. Fincher said, “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 [for Season 3].”

Fincher stated that he had no bad blood with Netflix and was grateful to have worked with them. He said, “I don’t blame them; they took risks to get the show off the ground, gave me the means to do Mank [his black and white film about 1930s Hollywood] 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.” (Source: Le Journal du Dimanche/Forbes)

Could there be a Mindhunter Season 3?

Since the cancellation of Mindhunter, David Fincher shifted his focus to other projects. So, at this point, the possibility of a third season looks very bleak. Having said that, the show’s return could benefit Netflix on a monetary level, given its continued popularity even years after its cancellation. So, if Fincher himself decides to revisit Mindhunter, there might still be hope for Season 3. However, as mentioned above, it is unlikely that Mindhunter Season 3 will be gracing our screens anytime soon.

Mindhunter is based on the 1995 true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, written by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. It follows FBI special agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, played by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, respectively. They interview famous serial killers in the country and strive to establish a behavioral unit based on the findings.

Namrata Ghosh

Namrata is a SEO Content Writer for ComingSoon and an avid reader, with a profound love for movies and anime, especially the works of Hayao Miyazaki. She holds a masters in English literature and has been producing content for over two years.