Mastermind
Talk
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.
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Seasons & episodes
S1 · 15 epS2 · 17 epS3 · 17 epS4 · 17 epS5 · 17 epS6 · 17 epS7 · 17 epS8 · 17 epS9 · 17 epS10 · 17 epS11 · 17 epS12 · 17 epS13 · 17 epS14 · 23 epS15 · 23 epS16 · 23 epS17 · 23 epS18 · 22 epS19 · 17 epS20 · 17 epS21 · 17 epS22 · 17 epS23 · 17 epS24 · 17 epS25 · 14 epS30 · 17 epS31 · 31 epS32 · 31 epS33 · 31 epS34 · 31 epS35 · 31 epS36 · 31 epS37 · 31 epS38 · 31 epS39 · 31 epS40 · 31 epS41 · 31 epS42 · 31 epS43 · 31 epS44 · 31 epS45 · 31 epS46 · 31 epS47 · 31 epS48 · 31 epS49 · 31 epS50 · 31 epS51 · 31 epS52 · 31 epS53 · 14 ep
- 1Episode 111 Sept 1972This 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
- 2Episode 218 Sept 1972This 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
- 3Episode 325 Sept 1972This 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
- 4Episode 42 Oct 1972Tonight's contenders come from the West of Scotland and the programme was recorded at Glasgow University. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
- 5Episode 516 Oct 1972This 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
- 6Episode 623 Oct 1972Tonight's contenders are drawn from the London area, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
- 7Episode 730 Oct 1972Tonight's contenders represent the South East of England, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
- 8Episode 86 Nov 1972This 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
- 9Episode 913 Nov 1972Tonight's contenders represent the South-West of England, and the programme comes from Llandaff College of Technology. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
- 10Episode 1020 Nov 1972This 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
- 11Episode 1127 Nov 1972This 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
- 12Semi-Final 14 Dec 1972Eleven 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
- 13Sem-Final 211 Dec 1972In 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
- 14Semi-Final 318 Dec 1972Tonight's programme comes from London. James Bruce (London), Beryl Leatham Thomas (Oswestry), Frederick Nicholls (Haverfordwest) Interrogator Magnus Magnusson
- 15The Final26 Dec 1972Only 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
Details
- Created by
- Bill Wright
- First aired
- 11 Sept 1972
- Last aired
- 21 Sept 2026
- Status
- Returning Series
- Language
- English
- Network
- BBC One, BBC Two
- Episodes
- 1159
- Votes
- 12 on TMDB
Cast
Clive MyrieSelf - Host
