TV series
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.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Mastermind premiered September 11, 1972. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
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.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
The forbidding black chair returns, contestants face the gruelling interrogation of questionmaster Magnus Magnusson, and the search is on to find the Mastermind of 1994. Tonight's first round heat comes from the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, where the specialised subjects of the first four competitors are the life and music of Bob Dylan, the life and career of Alexander the Great, the Monmouth Rebellion, and the life and films of Charlton Heston.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 2
At the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset, where tonight's special subjects are Richard Nixon, Sir Isaac Newton , K S Ranjitsinhji, and the Second Boer War.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 3
Tonight at the town hall in Rochdale, four more contestants bid for a place in the semi-finals with special subjects on the life and major plays of Anton Chekhov , the history of British native pony breeds c. 1950, the history of rugby league in Britain, and the Inca civilisation.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 4
From Rochdale Town Hall, where tonight's specialist subjects are the history and historic geography of Ayrshire; the life and career of Catherine de Valois (1401-37); the life and background of Shakespeare; the life and career of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 5
From the Dome Theatre, Brighton. Tonight's specialist subjects are the history of the Paris Metro to 1985, the life and works of Orson Welles , the life and music of Rossini, and the history of photography (1830-1980). With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 6
The contest returns to Brighton's Dome Theatre with specialist subjects on the life and films of Clint Eastwood ; British higher education 1945-80; the life and works of Tchaikovsky; and the life and works of Laura Ingalls Wilder. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 7
Tonight's specialist subjects are the history of the Orient Express and Wagons-Lits Company; the life and reign of Edward IV; the life and career of Fred Karno (1866-1941), and Japan at war (1937-45). Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the Countess of Huntingdon's Hall, Worcester.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 8
From the Countess of Huntingdon's Hall, Worcester. The specialist subjects are the life and James Bond novels of Ian Fleming ; RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft of the Second World War; classical ballet since 1840; and the coinage of England 1066-1662. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 9
From Rochdale Town Hall. Tonight's specialist subjects are British birds; the life and works of Nevil Shute ; the life and works of Arnold Schoenberg; and the human geography of India from 1947. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 10
From Rochdale Town Hall. The specialist subjects are the history of Yorkshire County Cricket Club 1863-1969, the life and works of Igor Stravinsky , the life and reign of Mary Tudor , British military aircraft since 1914. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 11
From the Dome Theatre in Brighton. Specialist subjects are: British and American pop music 1955-85, the life and works of Kurt Vonnegut , British tunnels and bridges, and spiders.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 12
From the Dome Theatre in Brighton. Specialist subjects are: the life and cases of Sir Bernard Spilsbury ; the life and works of Japanese prophet Nichiren; the life of Lord Peter Wimsey and novels of Dorothy L Sayers ; and Wellington's military campaign in the Peninsular War 1808-14.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 13
From Haddo House, Aberdeenshire. The subjects in the first semi-final are the history of the football World Cup, 1930-90; the life and music of Paul Simon; the history of the Labour Party; and the life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 14
From Haddo House in Aberdeen. The subjects in the second semi-final are the life and Raj Quartet of Paul Scott ; the life and career of Heinz Guderian ; history of chemistry 1500-1870; and the life and works of James Joyce. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 15
From Oakham Castle in Leicestershire. The subjects in the third semi-final are Anglo-Saxon poetry; 19th century classical music; the history of computers; and American blues harmonica players (1935-65). With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 16
From Oakham Castle in Leicestershire. Tonight's five semi-finalists' subjects are: the English garden 1700-1914; the world chess championship since 1886; Wimbledon tennis championships; Samuel Beckett ; Sir Donald Bradman. With Magnus Magnusson.
Where to watch MastermindEpisode 17
The 22nd Mastermind final comes from Coventry Cathedral, where civil servant John Wilson, George Davidson, a senior lecturer in chemistry, librarian Graham Roe, and English tutor Stephen Wood do battle for the 1994 title - and the coveted Caithness Glass trophy, to be presented by Bamber Gascoigne. Their specialist subjects are: beers and breweries in Britain; the life and works of John Dalton; American classical music 1910-70, and the Irish rebellion. Former winners have ranged from a retired ambassador to a train driver, and, most famously, the taxi drivers' champion Fred Housego. "It attracts a really wide range of interests and professions, says producer Penelope Cowell Doe, who has worked on the series for five years. "Don't think having a formal education is at all important. Often those with the widest general knowledge are self-taught."
Where to watch MastermindEpisode information updated Jul 25, 2026
Available now in United States
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Magnus Magnusson
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