Netflix’s hit series Mindhunter was a thrilling look into the FBI’s development of modern serial-killer profiling. We follow two agents who interview incarcerated serial killers in hopes of catching killers on the loose and understanding the way their brains work. The show premiered in 2017 and its final episode aired two years later.
With that, is Mindhunter Season 3 coming? Unfortunately, its executive producer and acclaimed filmmaker David Fincher has stated that the show’s massive expenses and Netflix did not see the demand for another season based on its audience. Nevertheless, what made the show work was its stellar cast and its depiction of serial killers in a terrifyingly realistic way.
Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford
Inspired by real-life FBI Special Agent John Douglas, who wrote the book the series is based on, titled Mindhunter, Holden Ford is the protagonist of the series. He is an anxiety-ridden and determined FBI agent who we follow throughout the entire two-season run. Ford is with the Behavioral Science Unit of the bureau, and he spearheads the development of investigating the minds of serial killers.
Jonathan Groff perfectly portrays this character with a professorial nature. Although, his range of emotions is heightened in his anxious state. His dynamic with partner Bill Tench and his manner of interviewing serial killers is perhaps one of the most prominent elements of the show. Groff is known for his role in the hit Frozen films as Kristoff, as well as his immensely popular and Emmy-nominated portrayal of King George in the Disney+ broadcast of Hamilton. Groff is also the star of the new film from M. Night Shyamalan, Knock at the Cabin.
Holt McCallany as Bill Tench
Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) is a no-nonsense FBI agent who partnered with Holden Ford to establish the Behavioral Science unit of the FBI. He is married to Nancy Tench (Stacey Roca), and their marriage is put to the test due to Bill’s line of work. He can be a “by the books” agent when it comes to the up-and-coming Behavioral Science unit and its nuances. However, he has a darker side that the series explores, especially when the darkness infiltrates his home. Bill Tench is outgoing, experienced, and family oriented.
McCallany has had a nearly thirty-year career which has included television and film. He has appeared in films such as Fight Club, directed by David Fincher, and the 2017 release of Justice League as a Burglar. His television work is expansive, including his starring role as boxer Patrick “Lights” Leary on the FX series Light’s Out, which ran for one season but received sensational reviews.
Anna Torv as Dr. Wendy Carr
She is the element to establish the Mindhunter trio and connects the office to the field. Wendy Carr is a professor of psychology and works with Holden and Bill from afar. She helps the duo with their interviews and provides background information and insight that aids the investigation. She is more work-oriented than socially motivated. Wendy was a key character in both seasons.
Anna Torv’s latest television appearance is on the immensely popular HBO series The Last of Us, but she is also known for her starring role on J.J. Abrams’ FOX series Fringe, which ran for 100 episodes.
Hannah Gross as Debbie Mitford
Debbie is a sociology post-grad student working towards her Ph.D. After meeting at a bar, she becomes Holden Ford’s love interest through the first season, but their relationship ends due to his abundant lack of emotional connection and his overbearing arrogance towards her. Hannah Gross’ filmography includes a minor appearance in Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, as a young Penny Fleck. She also appeared in the 2019 film Colewell, which starred Indiana Jones legend Karen Allen.
Cameron Britton as Edmund Kemper
Cameron Britton was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance as real-life killer Ed Kemper. His child-like innocence is haunting, but if one knows the backstory behind the real-life Kemper, they have a bit of a preconception before he is on-screen. Ed Kemper is an imprisoned serial killer used to aid Ford and Tench in their investigations. Kemper was imprisoned for ten murders, including his mother’s. He is portrayed accurately with a terrifying essence that haunts Holden Ford and escalates his anxiety.
Britton has been nominated for numerous awards for his role as Kemper. He has appeared in films such as A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, and on eleven episodes of the popular Netflix series The Umbrella Academy.
Sonny Valicenti as Dennis Rader/BTK Killer
Also known and credited as the ADT Servicemember, Dennis Rader serves as one of the series’ main antagonists. He carries the name BTK, which stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” and spends his disturbing moments on a killing spree. He taunts Holden and his department and leads them on a wild goose chase. Real-life Rader is said to have had a demon inside him that controlled his every move.
Sonny Valicenti appeared in Stephen Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film The Post. In addition, he has appeared in Netflix’s divisive film Blonde, which tells the horrifyingly fantastical life of Marylin Monroe. He appeared in every Season 1 episode of the new Showtime series Super Pumped starring Joseph Gordon Levitt.
Zachary Scott Ross as Brian Tench
It is not often that work investigations and familial comfort cross paths. However, Bill Tench’s adopted son Brian was responsible for putting a dead child on a cross. After investigations and countless anxiety-ridden moments, it is revealed that Brian was not directly related to the direct killing. But he is analyzed and found to be more obsessed with death. Zachary Scott Ross’ work does not exceed his appearances on Mindhunter.
Stacey Roca as Nancy Tench
Nancy Tench, the wife of Bill, was always discomforted by her husband’s line of work. She is a real estate agent and is always on edge when it comes to Bill’s job but all comes to a head when things hit their front door. The events that involved her adopted son Brian traumatized her. She eventually took Brian and left Bill when he was out of town. Stacey Roca’s first role was in the British and original 2001 version of The Office. She also appeared on the crime drama Walking the Dead, and on episodes of Shameless and The Blacklist.
Damon Herriman as Charles Manson
Charles Manson’s portrayal is perhaps one of the most accurate and haunting in the entire series. Damon Herriman’s performance as Charlie is bone-chilling, and is dramatically introduced following a suspenseful lead-up. In the series, Manson agrees to meet with Holden and Tench as part of their project and refuses any and all accountability for his actions. He is unpredictable, even in his minor appearance, but major as part of the series’ deep dive into the mind of a powerful presence.
Damon Herriman also played the ex-cult leader in Quinten Tarantino’s 2019 ode to cinema Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Herriman was also on the hit FX series Justified for twenty-two episodes. He also appeared in acclaimed films such as The Nightingale, directed by Jennifer Kent, and on one episode of Breaking Bad.
Christopher Backus as Charles “Tex” Watson
Former Manson Family member Charles “Tex” Watson was responsible for the death of Hollywood icon Sharon Tate in 1969. Holden Ford agrees to speak to him after receiving advice from Ed Kemper. Tex tells Ford about Manson’s manipulative tendencies and how he found religion in prison. In addition, the real-life Tex found a wife in prison and fathered children whilst incarcerated.
Christopher Backus has had a career of television and film appearances since 2004 with his first role being a minor one on Will and Grace. He has also appeared on recent films such as Bunker which stars Katie Cassidy of the DC Series on the CW Arrow.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
