David Fincher, the director of the acclaimed psychological crime thriller “Mindhunter,” has revealed the reason why the show ended on Netflix. In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Fincher cited the rising costs of the show as the primary factor behind its cancellation.
“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 said. “I don’t blame them, they took risks to get the show off the ground, gave me the means to do Mank 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.”
It should be noted that in 2020, Netflix had previously stated that the show was not canceled but was put on indefinite hold as the director was involved with other projects. Earlier, Fincher had also voiced similar views, stating that he was busy with other projects and was unsure if he could come up with more material for the show.
“We had all hands on deck to finish (Season 2), and we didn’t have a ton of scripts and a ton of outlines and a bible standing by for season three,” Fincher told Variety in 2020. “I’ll admit I was a little bit like, ‘I don’t know that I’m ready to spend another two years in the crawl space.'”
“Mindhunter” first premiered on Netflix in 2017 and quickly became a fan favorite. The show follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, who interview convicted serial killers in an attempt to understand and solve ongoing cases. The first two seasons of the show were highly acclaimed and praised for their attention to detail, strong performances, and Fincher’s signature directing style.
Despite the show’s devoted fanbase and critical success, it seems that rising costs and competing priorities have resulted in the cancellation of “Mindhunter” on Netflix.
