Mastermind
NR1972•30m•5.4/10
Talk
Ratings
🎬TMDb
5.4/10(11)
Mastermind is a British quiz show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness. Devised by Bill Wright, the basic format of Mastermind has never changed — four and in later contests five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the contestant's choice, the other a general knowledge round. Wright drew inspiration from his experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II. The atmosphere is helped by Mastermind's famously ominous theme music, "Approaching Menace" by the British composer Neil Richardson. The quiz programme originated and was recorded in Manchester at studios such as New Broadcasting House and Granada Studios, before permanently moving to MediaCityUK in 2011.
Production
Hat Trick Productions, Hindsight Productions
Language
EN
Status
Returning Series
First Aired
September 11, 1972
Last Aired
September 8, 2025
Networks
BBC One, BBC Two
Created By
Bill Wright
Trailers & Videos
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
E1
Episode 1
Air date: 1972-09-11
This new and exciting brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom.
They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject with a further two minutes to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board.
Tonight's programme comes from The University of Liverpool
E2
Episode 2
Air date: 1972-09-18
This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom
They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject with a further two minutes to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board.
Tonight's programme comes from The University of Liverpool
Contenders Mary Grummitt, Dr Michael Dewar, Vera Gallagher, Patrick Maher
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E3
Episode 3
Air date: 1972-09-25
This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom
Tonight's programme comes from the University of Glasgow
Contenders Joyce Ligertwood, David Wate, Robert Crampsey, Julius Green Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E4
Episode 4
Air date: 1972-10-02
Tonight's contenders come from the West of Scotland and the programme was recorded at Glasgow University.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E5
Episode 5
Air date: 1972-10-16
This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom
Tonight's contenders represent the North East of England, and the programme comes from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E6
Episode 6
Air date: 1972-10-23
Tonight's contenders are drawn from the London area, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E7
Episode 7
Air date: 1972-10-30
Tonight's contenders represent the South East of England, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E8
Episode 8
Air date: 1972-11-06
This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom
Tonight's contenders represent Wales, and the programme comes from the Llandaff College of Technology, Cardiff.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E9
Episode 9
Air date: 1972-11-13
Tonight's contenders represent the South-West of England, and the programme comes from Llandaff College of Technology.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E10
Episode 10
Air date: 1972-11-20
This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the UK
They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject, with a further period to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board.
Tonight's contenders represent the Midlands, and the programme comes from the University of Birmingham.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E11
Episode 11
Air date: 1972-11-27
This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom
They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject, with a further period to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board.
Tonight's contenders are drawn from the London area, and the programme comes from the University of Birmingham.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E12
Semi-Final 1
Air date: 1972-12-04
Eleven aspiring Masterminds have won through to the Semi-Finals. In this round the contenders have to prove their ability in a second specialist subject, as well as a further exacting round of general knowledge questions.
Tonight's programme comes from Edinburgh.
Rev Dr Michael Dewar (Northern Ireland), Nancy Wilkinson (Cambridge), Nicholas Lane (London), Robert Crampsey (Glasgow)
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E13
Sem-Final 2
Air date: 1972-12-11
In this round the contenders have to prove their ability in a second specialist subject, as well as a further exacting round of general knowledge questions.
Tonight's programme comes from Edinburgh.
James MacGregor (Kelso), Joan Taylor (Newcastle upon Tyne), David Drake-Brockman (Lymington), Ivan Limmer (Burnley)
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E14
Semi-Final 3
Air date: 1972-12-18
Tonight's programme comes from London.
James Bruce (London), Beryl Leatham Thomas (Oswestry), Frederick Nicholls (Haverfordwest)
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
E15
The Final
Air date: 1972-12-26
Only three contenders remain to take up the challenge to become Mastermind of the United Kingdom.
The Brain Game that requires the co-ordination of specialist and general knowledge, with the ability to answer quickly and concisely.
Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
Cast
Clive Myrie
Self - Host
