First airing in 2008, The Mentalist ran for seven seasons, meaning Netflix viewers can now take a nostalgic trip back to the hit mystery procedural

Image© CBS via Getty Images

Abby Allen
Abby AllenTV writer

1 day ago

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Calling all crime thriller fans! Netflix has just added an iconic series to its roster, and it’s the perfect binge-watch if you’re looking for a meaty drama to sink your teeth into.

Hailed by some fans as the American Sherlock Holmes, The Mentalist stars Australian actor Simon Baker as former “psychic” turned crime consultant Patrick Jane. Using his razor-sharp powers of observation, Patrick helps the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) solve complex murder cases while secretly hunting the serial killer Red John, who murdered his family.

Originally airing on CBS from 2008 to 2015, the seven-season drama proved a major hit with viewers, earning a 90 per cent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also garnered multiple award nominations for Simon, including an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Intrigued? Keep reading to find out more about The Mentalist, now streaming on Netflix in the UK, Canada and Australia.

What is The Mentalist about?

Spanning seven seasons, the series introduces viewers to Patrick, a former celebrity ‘psychic’ who turned his “razor-sharp skills of observation” to more serious means as an independent consultant for the fictional CBI.

The synopsis continues: “Notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic (whose paranormal abilities he now admits he feigned), Patrick’s role in cracking a series of tough high-profile cases is highly valued by his fellow agents.

Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane© CBS via Getty Images
Simon Baker plays Patrick Jane

“However, no-nonsense Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon alternates between reluctantly acknowledging Patrick’s usefulness and blasting him for his theatrics, narcissism and dangerous lack of boundaries.

“Lisbon’s team includes agents Kimball Cho, Wayne Rigsby and rookie Grace Van Pelt, who all think Patrick’s a loose cannon but admire his charm and knack for clearing cases.”

Who stars in The Mentalist?

Simon Baker leads the cast as Patrick Jane, with Robin Tunney playing senior CBI Special Agent Teresa Lisbon.

Viewers have hailed Patrick as an American Sherlock Holmes© CBS via Getty Images
Viewers have hailed Patrick as an American Sherlock Holmes

Meanwhile, Tim Kang plays Special Agent Kimball Cho, while Owain Yeoman is Special Agent Wayne Rigsby and Amanda Righetti is Special Agent Grace Van Pelt.

What have viewers said about The Mentalist?

Since landing on Netflix, fans have taken to X to share their excitement about the show’s arrival.

“The mentalist is on Netflix – the best day for crime fans,” penned one viewer, while another wrote: “Omg, The Mentalist is on Netflix? Oh boy, the nostalgia… Definitely gonna rewatch!”

Still image of Patrick Jane and Robin Tunney standing by a car in The Mentalist© CBS via Getty Images
Robin Tunney plays Special Agent Teresa Lisbon

The series also boasts a 90 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with one fan hailing it as: “Masterpiece! All seasons, all episodes!” Another viewer commented: “Patrick is like a personable, likeable American Sherlock Holmes. I can’t believe I missed this gem of a show. Bingeing the whole thing!”

All seven seasons (that’s 151 bingeable episodes) of The Mentalist are available to stream on Netflix in the UK, Canada and Australia from Sunday 1 March.