Basic Info

First Air: September 11, 1972

Rating: ⭐ 5.4/10 (11 votes)

Seasons & Episodes

Seasons: 48

Episodes: 1127

Last Episode

Name: Episode 15

Season: 52, Episode: 15

Air Date: 2025-10-27

Runtime: 28 min

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the musical Les Miserables, Florence Nightingale and The O.C.

Videos

BBC Mastermind

Mastermind

1972 ⭐ 5.4/10 11 votes

Overview

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.