Mastermind

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.

Seasons

49

Episodes aired

1.155

Latest aired

S53E07

Total runtime

14d 20h

Timeline when each season aired

1. Season 1 September 1972 – December 1972 15 episodes
2. Season 2 September 1973 – December 1973 17 episodes
3. Season 3 September 1974 – December 1974 17 episodes
4. Season 4 September 1975 – December 1975 17 episodes
5. Season 5 September 1976 – December 1976 17 episodes
6. Season 6 August 1977 – December 1977 17 episodes
7. Season 7 September 1978 – December 1978 17 episodes
8. Season 8 September 1979 – December 1979 17 episodes
9. Season 9 August 1980 – December 1980 17 episodes
10. Season 10 September 1981 – December 1981 17 episodes
11. Season 11 January 1983 – May 1983 17 episodes
12. Season 12 January 1984 – May 1984 17 episodes
13. Season 13 January 1985 – May 1985 17 episodes
14. Season 14 January 1986 – June 1986 23 episodes
15. Season 15 January 1987 – June 1987 23 episodes
16. Season 16 January 1988 – June 1988 23 episodes
17. Season 17 January 1989 – June 1989 23 episodes
18. Season 18 January 1990 – June 1990 22 episodes
19. Season 19 January 1991 – June 1991 17 episodes
20. Season 20 February 1992 – June 1992 17 episodes
21. Season 21 January 1993 – May 1993 17 episodes
22. Season 22 March 1994 – August 1994 17 episodes
23. Season 23 April 1995 – August 1995 17 episodes
24. Season 24 May 1996 – October 1996 17 episodes
25. Season 25 June 1997 – September 1997 14 episodes
26. the show was away for 5 years and 10 months
27. Season 30 July 2003 – November 2003 17 episodes
28. Season 31 June 2004 – December 2004 31 episodes
29. Season 32 March 2005 – November 2005 31 episodes
30. Season 33 March 2006 – November 2006 31 episodes
31. Season 34 July 2007 – March 2008 31 episodes
32. Season 35 September 2008 – June 2009 31 episodes
33. Season 36 August 2009 – May 2010 31 episodes
34. Season 37 August 2010 – April 2011 31 episodes
35. Season 38 November 2011 – May 2012 31 episodes
36. Season 39 August 2012 – April 2013 31 episodes
37. Season 40 August 2013 – April 2014 31 episodes
38. Season 41 August 2014 – March 2015 31 episodes
39. Season 42 August 2015 – April 2016 31 episodes
40. Season 43 July 2016 – March 2017 31 episodes
41. Season 44 July 2017 – March 2018 31 episodes
42. Season 45 October 2018 – June 2019 31 episodes
43. Season 46 August 2019 – May 2020 31 episodes
44. Season 47 October 2020 – April 2021 31 episodes
45. Season 48 August 2021 – April 2022 31 episodes
46. Season 49 September 2022 – April 2023 31 episodes
47. Season 50 August 2023 – April 2024 31 episodes
48. Season 51 August 2024 – May 2025 31 episodes
49. Season 52 July 2025 – April 2026 31 episodes
50. Season 53 July 2026 – September 2026 8 episodes

• 1

  S01E01 Episode 1

  September 11 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 2

  S01E02 Episode 2

  September 18 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 3

  S01E03 Episode 3

  September 25 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 4

  S01E04 Episode 4

  October 2 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  Tonight's contenders come from the West of Scotland and the programme was recorded at Glasgow University. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

• 5

  S01E05 Episode 5

  October 16 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 6

  S01E06 Episode 6

  October 23 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  Tonight's contenders are drawn from the London area, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

• 7

  S01E07 Episode 7

  October 30 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  Tonight's contenders represent the South East of England, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

• 8

  S01E08 Episode 8

  November 6 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 9

  S01E09 Episode 9

  November 13 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  Tonight's contenders represent the South-West of England, and the programme comes from Llandaff College of Technology. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

• 10

  S01E10 Episode 10

  November 20 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 11

  S01E11 Episode 11

  November 27 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 12

  S01E12 Semi-Final 1

  December 4 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 13

  S01E13 Sem-Final 2

  December 11 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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

• 14

  S01E14 Semi-Final 3

  December 18 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  Tonight's programme comes from London. James Bruce (London), Beryl Leatham Thomas (Oswestry), Frederick Nicholls (Haverfordwest) Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

• 15

  S01E15 The Final

  December 26 find the promo

  Show synopsis

  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