Mastermind 1972
What is Mastermind?
Mastermind is a British quiz show that has gained recognition for its distinctive characteristics. The show's format was devised by Bill Wright and has remained largely unchanged over time.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1972
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 1,151
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 11, 1972
- Last aired
- Jul 13, 2026
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC One, BBC Two
- Genres
- Talk
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 1,151 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Mastermind is a British quiz show that has gained recognition for its distinctive characteristics. The show's format was devised by Bill Wright and has remained largely unchanged over time. The basic format of Mastermind features contestants facing two rounds, with one round focused on a specialized subject of the contestant's choice and the other on general knowledge. The show's atmosphere is notable for its seriousness and intimidating setting, which is enhanced by its theme music, Approaching Menace, composed by Neil Richardson. The concept of Mastermind was inspired by Bill Wright's personal experiences during World War II. Mastermind is a well-known quiz show with a unique approach to testing contestants' knowledge and skills. The show has maintained its core format and continues to be recognized for its challenging questions and serious tone.
Should you watch it?
“Mastermind is a long-running British quiz show defined by its challenging questions and intense, serious atmosphere.”
- challenging subject matter
- iconic musical theme
- intimidating atmosphere
- serious tone
Watch it if you enjoy high-stakes trivia and testing your general knowledge against experts.
The show maintains a serious and intense tone throughout its presentation.
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Ask anything about Mastermind — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 15 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Episode 1 Sep 11, 1972
- E2 Episode 2 Sep 18, 1972
- E3 Episode 3 Sep 25, 1972
- E4 Episode 4 Oct 2, 1972
- E5 Episode 5 Oct 16, 1972
- E6 Episode 6 Oct 23, 1972
- E7 Episode 7 Oct 30, 1972
- E8 Episode 8 Nov 6, 1972
- E9 Episode 9 Nov 13, 1972
- E10 Episode 10 Nov 20, 1972
- E11 Episode 11 Nov 27, 1972
- E12 Semi-Final 1 Dec 4, 1972
- E13 Sem-Final 2 Dec 11, 1972
- E14 Semi-Final 3 Dec 18, 1972
- E15 The Final Dec 26, 1972
Season 2 · 17 episodes
- E1 Episode 1 Sep 3, 1973
- E2 Episode 2 Sep 10, 1973
- E3 Episode 3 Sep 17, 1973
- E4 Episode 4 Sep 24, 1973
- E5 Episode 5 Oct 4, 1973
- E6 Episode 6 Oct 11, 1973
- E7 Episode 7 Oct 18, 1973
- E8 Episode 8 Oct 25, 1973
- E9 Episode 9 Nov 1, 1973
- E10 Episode 10 Nov 8, 1973
- E11 Episode 11 Nov 15, 1973
- E12 Episode 12 Nov 22, 1973
- E13 Episode 13 Nov 29, 1973
- E14 Episode 14 Dec 6, 1973
- E15 Episode 15 Dec 13, 1973
- E16 Episode 16 Dec 20, 1973
- E17 Episode 17 Dec 27, 1973
Season 3 · 17 episodes
- E1 Episode 1 Sep 5, 1974
- E2 Episode 2 Sep 12, 1974
- E3 Episode 3 Sep 19, 1974
- E4 Episode 4 Sep 26, 1974
- E5 Episode 5 Oct 3, 1974
- E6 Episode 6 Oct 10, 1974
- E7 Episode 7 Oct 17, 1974
- E8 Episode 8 Oct 24, 1974
- E9 Episode 9 Oct 31, 1974
- E10 Episode 10 Nov 7, 1974
- E11 Episode 11 Nov 14, 1974
- E12 Episode 12 Nov 21, 1974
- E13 Episode 13 Nov 28, 1974
- E14 Episode 14 Dec 5, 1974
- E15 Episode 15 Dec 12, 1974
- E16 Episode 16 Dec 19, 1974
- E17 Episode 17 Dec 23, 1974
Season 4 · 17 episodes
- E1 Episode 1 Sep 4, 1975
- E2 Episode 2 Sep 11, 1975
- E3 Episode 3 Sep 18, 1975
- E4 Episode 4 Sep 25, 1975
- E5 Episode 5 Oct 2, 1975
- E6 Episode 6 Oct 9, 1975
- E7 Episode 7 Oct 16, 1975
- E8 Episode 8 Oct 23, 1975
- E9 Episode 9 Oct 30, 1975
- E10 Episode 10 Nov 6, 1975
- E11 Episode 11 Nov 13, 1975
- E12 Episode 12 Nov 20, 1975
- E13 Episode 13 Nov 27, 1975
- E14 Episode 14 Dec 4, 1975
- E15 Episode 15 Dec 11, 1975
- E16 Episode 16 Dec 18, 1975
- E17 Episode 17 Dec 22, 1975
Season 5 · 17 episodes
- E1 Episode 1 Sep 7, 1976
- E2 Episode 2 Sep 14, 1976
- E3 Episode 3 Sep 21, 1976
- E4 Episode 4 Sep 28, 1976
- E5 Episode 5 Oct 5, 1976
- E6 Episode 6 Oct 12, 1976
- E7 Episode 7 Oct 19, 1976
- E8 Episode 8 Oct 26, 1976
- E9 Episode 9 Nov 2, 1976
- E10 Episode 10 Nov 9, 1976
- E11 Episode 11 Nov 16, 1976
- E12 Episode 12 Nov 23, 1976
- E13 Episode 13 Nov 30, 1976
- E14 Episode 14 Dec 7, 1976
- E15 Episode 15 Dec 14, 1976
- E16 Episode 16 Dec 21, 1976
- E17 Episode 17 Dec 24, 1976
Frequently asked questions
Who created the show?
The program was devised by Bill Wright.
What is the format?
Contestants face two rounds, one on a specialized subject and one on general knowledge.
What inspired the show?
Bill Wright drew inspiration from his experiences being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II.
What is the theme music?
The theme music is titled Approaching Menace and was composed by Neil Richardson.
How many contestants participate?
The format features four contestants, though later contests increased this to five.