Mastermind (Season 1)

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.

  • Poster for Episode 1

    Episode 1 (Episode 1)

    Air date: 1972-09-11

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Episode 2

    Episode 2 (Episode 2)

    Air date: 1972-09-18

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Episode 3

    Episode 3 (Episode 3)

    Air date: 1972-09-25

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Episode 4

    Episode 4 (Episode 4)

    Air date: 1972-10-02

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

  • Poster for Episode 5

    Episode 5 (Episode 5)

    Air date: 1972-10-16

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Episode 6

    Episode 6 (Episode 6)

    Air date: 1972-10-23

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

  • Poster for Episode 7

    Episode 7 (Episode 7)

    Air date: 1972-10-30

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

  • Poster for Episode 8

    Episode 8 (Episode 8)

    Air date: 1972-11-06

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Episode 9

    Episode 9 (Episode 9)

    Air date: 1972-11-13

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

  • Poster for Episode 10

    Episode 10 (Episode 10)

    Air date: 1972-11-20

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Episode 11

    Episode 11 (Episode 11)

    Air date: 1972-11-27

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Semi-Final 1

    Semi-Final 1 (Episode 12)

    Air date: 1972-12-04

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Sem-Final 2

    Sem-Final 2 (Episode 13)

    Air date: 1972-12-11

    Overview: 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

  • Poster for Semi-Final 3

    Semi-Final 3 (Episode 14)

    Air date: 1972-12-18

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

  • Poster for The Final

    The Final (Episode 15)

    Air date: 1972-12-26

    Overview: 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

Mastermind

Seasons

1972
1972
Episodes 15
1973
1973
Episodes 17
1974
1974
Episodes 17
1975
1975
Episodes 17
1976
1976
Episodes 17
1977
1977
Episodes 17
1978
1978
Episodes 17
1979
1979
Episodes 17
1980
1980
Episodes 17
1981
1981
Episodes 17
1983
1983
Episodes 17
1984
1984
Episodes 17
1985
1985
Episodes 17
1986
1986
Episodes 23
1987
1987
Episodes 23
1988
1988
Episodes 23
1989
1989
Episodes 23
1990
1990
Episodes 22
1991
1991
Episodes 17
1992
1992
Episodes 17
1993
1993
Episodes 17
1994
1994
Episodes 17
1995
1995
Episodes 17
1996
1996
Episodes 17
1997
1997
Episodes 14
2003
2003
Episodes 17
2004
2004
Episodes 31
2005
2005
Episodes 31
2006
2006
Episodes 31
2007/08
2007/08
Episodes 31
2008/09
2008/09
Episodes 31
2009/10
2009/10
Episodes 31
2010/11
2010/11
Episodes 31
2011/12
2011/12
Episodes 31
2012/13
2012/13
Episodes 31
2013/14
2013/14
Episodes 31
2014/15
2014/15
Episodes 31
2015/16
2015/16
Episodes 31
2016/17
2016/17
Episodes 31
2017/18
2017/18
Episodes 31
2018/19
2018/19
Episodes 31
2019/20
2019/20
Episodes 31
2020/21
2020/21
Episodes 31
2021/22
2021/22
Episodes 31
2022/23
2022/23
Episodes 31
2023/24
2023/24
Episodes 31
2024/25
2024/25
Episodes 31
2025/26
2025/26
Episodes 21
Specials
Specials
Episodes 24