“Mindhunter” isn’t David Fincher’s first time at the Netflix rodeo. In 2013 he shepherded “House Of Cards” onto the streaming service, directing the first two episodes of the show which is heading into its sixth season next year. However, Fincher hasn’t directed any episodes of the series since, and while he retains an executive producer credit, it’s safe to say his attentions are elsewhere. However, that won’t be the case with “Mindhunter.”
While Netflix has yet to formally announce a renewal for season two of “Mindhunter,” it’s an inevitability. And the good news for Fincher fans is that the director, who helmed four episodes of the first season, will stay very much hands on as the show progresses. In fact, it was one of the main concerns star Jonathan Groff had before signing on.
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“That was the big question I had when I sat down with him before I’d technically signed on. I was doing ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway and I flew on the day off to meet with David about ‘Mindhunter.’ He sat down and said, ‘This could potentially be years, hopefully, if it all goes great.’ And I asked him, ‘Are you here for the first episode and then you’re out? [Then] who is going to be the director?’ And he made it very clear that this was his baby and something that, if it did go for years, he was going to be very heavily involved with, which was good enough for me to sign on the dotted line,” he explained to The Frame.
That’s fantastic to hear because, even more than “House Of Cards,” everything about “Mindhunter” lives and breathes like its coming from the creative mind of Fincher. From the visual aesthetic, right down the drama’s clinical, conversation precision.
“David, said in the very beginning, ‘This is just people in rooms talking.’ He’s having a lot of faith and trust and respect for the audience. He’s not pandering to them. There’s nothing flashy. He’s really depending on them to put down their phones and lean in,” Groff said. “Granted, the subject matter is very flashy. We’re talking about serial killers and murders and it’s a psychological deep-dive into a really interesting fascinating world. But ultimately it is people talking.”
Listen to the full talk with Groff below, and if you haven’t watched “Mindhunter” yet, it’s time to tune in and see what you’ve been missing.