The Mentalist

2008 • TMDB 8.4 • 7 seasons • 151 episodes • Crime, Drama, Mystery • CBS

Where to Watch

In the US, The Mentalist streams on Hulu, with 7 seasons. It is also available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home, with 7 seasons. Availability checked against US listings on October 29, 2026.

Overview

The Mentalist builds its cases around one of television’s most enjoyable detectives. Patrick Jane, a former fake psychic turned consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, solves murders not with supernatural gifts but with razor-sharp observation, memory and an uncanny ability to read people. Each episode is a puzzle: Jane notices the detail everyone else missed, charms or provokes a suspect into revealing themselves, and delivers a reveal that feels both surprising and inevitable. Beneath the weekly cases runs a darker, longer story, as Jane hunts Red John, the serial killer who murdered his wife and daughter, a quest that gives the show real emotional weight. Simon Baker’s easy charm carries the lighter moments, while his co-stars ground the team in believable camaraderie and friction. Over seven seasons the show balances wit, suspense and character growth with unusual confidence, making it one of the most rewatchable procedurals of its era.

Creator and Main Cast

The Mentalist was created by Bruno Heller. The main cast includes:

• Simon Baker as Patrick Jane (151 episodes)
• Robin Tunney as Teresa Lisbon (151 episodes)
• Tim Kang as Kimball Cho (151 episodes)
• Owain Yeoman as Wayne Rigsby (139 episodes)
• Amanda Righetti as Grace Van Pelt (139 episodes)
• Joe Adler as Jason Wylie (26 episodes)
• Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Madeleine Hightower (17 episodes)

Seasons Snapshot

• Season 1 — 23 episodes (2008)
• Season 2 — 23 episodes (2009)
• Season 3 — 24 episodes (2010)
• Season 4 — 24 episodes (2011)
• Season 5 — 22 episodes (2012)
• Season 6 — 22 episodes (2013)
• Season 7 — 13 episodes (2014)

Why Watch The Mentalist?

• Simon Baker’s charismatic, scene-stealing turn as Patrick Jane.
• Clever, self-contained cases built on observation rather than gadgets.
• A gripping long-running Red John storyline that rewards patience.
• A warm, funny ensemble led by Robin Tunney’s grounded Lisbon.
• Seven seasons of polished, highly rewatchable procedural drama.

Trailer

Watch the official preview on YouTube: The Mentalist – New Fall Series Preview (CBS)