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Mastermind

Mastermind

1972Returning SeriesNext: Feb 2348 Seasons1127 Episodes5.4TMDB
BBC OneBBC Two

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.

Created by: Bill Wright

Season 21 Episodes

Browse every episode and jump into details.

Episode 1: Episode 1

Jan 10, 1993

Returning for the 21st series, Magnus Magnusson puts more general knowledge questions to this year's first four contenders whose specialist subjects are: the life of Tiberius; the life of Admiral Lord Jellicoe; Clarice Cliff and English art deco ceramics, 1928-36; and Doctor Who.

Episode 2: Episode 2

Jan 17, 1993

Magnus Magnusson in Bangor puts more questions to another four contenders whose specialist subjects are: the life of Otto von Bismarck; the history of the Rose 1500-1850; British feminists 1759-1886; the history of the Swiss Confederation 1291-1874.

Episode 3: Episode 3

Jan 24, 1993

Magnus Magnusson travels to the University of Strathclyde to put more general knowledge questions to another four contenders whose specialist subjects are: the Border Reivers, 1500-1625; the Russo-German War, 1941-5; Lady Murasaki and the Tale of Genji; and Sir Thomas More

Episode 4: Episode 4

Jan 31, 1993

Magnus Magnusson returns to the University of Strathclyde to quiz four more contenders

Episode 5: Episode 5

Feb 7, 1993

From Arundel Castle, West Sussex. Specialist subjects: Charles II; British athletics since 1945; Gerard Manley Hopkins; Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Episode 6: Episode 6

Feb 21, 1993

From Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Magnus Magnusson questions four more contenders with specialist subjects: the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy, 1867-1918; Lord Macaulay; Dervla Murphy ; railway signalling in Britain, 1830-1947.

Episode 7: Episode 7

Feb 28, 1993

From Rugby School. Tonight's specialist subjects are: Malcolm X; the canals of England and Wales; Joseph Conrad ; and the Great Northern Railway.

Episode 8: Episode 8

Mar 7, 1993

From Rugby School. Tonight's subjects are: fantasy and science fiction, 1960-90; railways in Yorkshire; the life and works of AJ Munnings ; the life and career of Stanley Baldwin.

Episode 9: Episode 9

Mar 14, 1993

From the University of Strathclyde where tonight's subjects are: the Grand National; Slavonic languages since 1700; Dante; and the City of Chester from Roman times. With Magnus Magnusson

Episode 10: Episode 10

Mar 28, 1993

From the University of Strathclyde, where the subjects are Golda Meir; Sir Edward Elgar ; the Waterloo Campaign 1815, and the Kings of Israel and Judah. With Magnus Magnusson.

Episode 11: Episode 11

Apr 4, 1993

From the Barons' Hall at Arundel Castle, where the subjects are Edward VII, Hector Berlioz, City of London churches and Wilfred Owen.

Episode 12: Episode 12

Apr 11, 1993

From the Barons' Hall, Arundel Castle, where the subjects are: Shelley; Test cricket - England v Australia 1920-38; the siege of Paris 1870-71; the Romanov dynasty 1613-1918.

Episode 13: Episode 13

Apr 18, 1993

The first semi-final from Huddersfield, where the subjects are: P D James, the Napoleonic Wars, the Cornish china clay industry from 1745; and the medieval castle in the British Isles, 1050-1500. With Magnus Magnusson.

Episode 14: Episode 14

Apr 25, 1993

Second semi-final from the University of Huddersfield, where the subjects are: Damon Runyan ; the fall of the Western Roman Empire, AD 375-476; the Manhattan Project; and Joseph Chamberlain. With Magnus Magnusson.

Episode 15: Episode 15

May 2, 1993

The third of the semi-finals comes from Bath, where the specialist subjects are: German armoured fighting vehicles, 1939-45; Californian gold rush; Brunei; and model railways in Great Britain, 1920-90. With Magnus Magnusson.

Episode 16: Episode 16

May 9, 1993

The fourth of the semi-finals comes from Bath, where the specialist subjects are: the Beatles; C S Lewis; the solar system; and Frederick Delius. With Magnus Magnusson.

Episode 17: The Final

May 16, 1993

The four finalists are: Gavin Fuller - specialist subject, the Crusades(1095-1154); David Tombs - the modern Olympic Games; Glenys Davies - the life and reign of Napoleon III ; Barrie Douce - the French Indo-China War (1945-54). Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London.

Season 21 FAQ

Quick answers about this season's release timeline and episode lineup.

When did Mastermind Season 21 premiere?

Mastermind Season 21 premiered on January 10, 1993.

How many episodes are in Mastermind Season 21?

Mastermind Season 21 has 17 episodes.

What is the first episode of Mastermind Season 21?

The season opens with Season 21 Episode 1, "Episode 1". It aired on January 10, 1993.

Go to Season 21 Episode 1

Where to Watch

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