Mindhunter season 2: Everything we know so far, from return date to serial killer subjects

What to expect from the second run of Netflix's most acclaimed drama

MINDHUNTER won legions of fans upon its debut on Netflix in October 2017 and a second season is imminent

Based on the book by Mark Olshaker and John E. Douglas, produced by David Fincher and directed by Asif Kapadia, the series has some big credentials – and fortunately characters and a story to back it up.

Inspired by real like criminal profilers – who interviewed a large number of America’s most notorious serial killers as part of the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit in a bid to delve into their psyches to solve pending investigations.

While Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany play FBI agents inspired by these profilers, the show features several serial killers who are based on real-life figures including the murderer and necrophiliac Edmund Kemper.

Below is everything we know so far about Mindhunter season two.

When does season two begin?

The second season was confirmed back in November 2017 off the back of the rave reviews earned by the first. Production began in 201 and a release date has finally been set for August 16, 2019.

How many episodes?

The serial killer drama will have just eight episodes, a whole two less than its debut. However, it’s a sure bet that some of these episodes may arrive with an extended running time.

What will it be based on?

As teased in the first season, the forthcoming run will focus on real-life murders of African-American children committed in Atlanta between the years of 1979-81. This is in keeping with the time period considering the first run was set in 1977.

Such is Mindhunter‘s style that the series likely won’t focus on the actual killings which saw the death of 28 children and adults, instead placing the focus on the profiling of Wayne Williams who was jailed for just two of the murders.

Fincher said: “Next year, we’re looking at the Atlanta child murders, so we’ll have a lot more African-American music which will be nice. The music will evolve. It’s intended to support what’s happening with the show and for the show to evolve radically between seasons.”

Which serial killers will appear?

Netflix is yet to confirm the characters that’ll appear, however, casting calls gave fans some hints to go on.

Damon Herriman was cast as cult leader Charles Manson. Intriguingly, he’ll play the same role in Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time In Hollywood too.

Another killer who Fincher has now confirmed will appear as characters include The Son of Sam, real name David Berkowitz, who pleaded guilty to murdering eight people in New York City during the summer of 1976.

Rumoured to appear are Elmer Wayne Henley, who is currently serving six consecutive life sentences for his part in a series of murders which left up to 28 teenage boys murdered in Texas; The Stocking Strangler, William Henry Hance, an American soldier who murdered three women and sexually assaulted four more in 1978; and Paul Bateson who targeted the LGBT+ community in the late 1970s.

Then there’s Dennis Rader AKA the BTK Killer whose appearance was teased throughout the opening sequences of each season one episode.

Who will star in it?

Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany will return as the central duo with Anna Torv also returning as the cat-loving psychology professor Wendy Carr.

Whether any of the actors behind season one’s serial killer characters – namely Cameron Britton who steered his portrayal of Ed Kemper to huge acclaim – will return remains to be seen but considering the aforementioned was a key factor in Ford’s unravelling at the climax of season one, it would be strange not to see him crop up.