From award-winning executive producers Dakota and Elle Fanning, showrunner Dani Sloane, and director Abby Fuller, comes “Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer,” a fascinating new docuseries available on Hulu starting July 11. This series offers a unique perspective on Dr. Ann Burgess, a psychiatric nurse and professor whose groundbreaking work in crime hunting has changed the landscape of criminal profiling.
Dr. Ann Burgess, largely an unsung heroine until now, has spent nearly six decades studying the minds of killers. Her work has not only impacted the FBI but has also radically championed the plight of women in America. The series delves into her tenacious story and her compassion for victims, placing her at the center of solving some of America’s most infamous true-crime cases. From well-known criminals like Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy to lesser-known cases like the Ski Mask Rapist, Burgess investigates and studies the victims and the damaged psyches of their attackers, piecing together two halves of the same story to catch a killer.
“Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer” is directed by Abby Fuller and produced for Hulu by Campfire Studios in association with Lewellen Pictures. The executive producers include Ross M. Dinerstein, Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Rebecca Halpern, Lesley Chilcott, Dani Sloane, Rebecca Evans, and Abby Fuller. Co-executive producers are Ross Girard and Mark McCune, with Dr. Ann Burgess serving as a consulting producer.
The docuseries had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 7. After a screening of the first episode, Burgess participated in a conversation along with Fuller, showrunner Dani Sloane, and executive producers Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, and Rebecca Evans. The series is inspired by the 2021 book “A Killer by Design: Murders, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher Criminal Minds,” co-written by Burgess and Steven Constantine, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at the Connell School of Nursing (CSON). The series features exclusive access to Burgess’ personal archive and interviews with her.
The film crew made several trips to Boston College for scouting and shooting. According to Fuller, “It is a gorgeous campus to film on. It has been an incredible experience working with Dr. Burgess, Steven [Constantine], and everyone we’ve encountered at BC. Truly such a welcoming and beautiful place to spend so much time over the past year.” Cinematographer Anna Franquesa Solano found inspiration in the Theology and Ministry Library on Brighton Campus, which aesthetically aligned with the late 1970s/’80s setting they aimed to evoke. The crew also filmed in various other campus locations, including lecture halls, Gasson 100, the Connors Center on the Dover Campus, and along the Chestnut Hill Reservoir.
The topic of profiling serial killers has been explored in books and on television before, notably in the Netflix series “Mindhunter” (2017-2019), which dramatized the early days of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. The character Wendy Carr, played by Anna Torv, was loosely based on Burgess. However, Fuller and Constantine note that “Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer” is different. “This is the first time that her story is being told on screen,” said Fuller. “Dr. Burgess was a very influential part of the criminal personality study and single-handedly structured the research. As an academic, she brought the skills of data collection, writing, publishing, research, and organization to the process. The agents weren’t trained in research. I think she hasn’t gotten as much credit as some of the other members of the team.”
Dr. Burgess’s story is not just about studying the minds of serial killers; it’s about understanding and believing victims. “She did her work through the lens of the victim,” said Constantine. “Everyone else was focused on the offender.” At a time when women did not have roles of authority or positions of power, this unassuming, humble woman blazed a trail by standing up for what she believed in. Dr. Burgess is an incredible role model, and her story is very inspiring for young women.
“Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer” is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in the psychological aspects of criminal behavior. The series not only highlights the critical role Dr. Burgess played as a consultant to the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in developing modern-day serial killer profiling but also covers her trailblazing work in victimology, helping others to better understand the effects of trauma.
The series promises to be a gripping exploration of the mind of a killer and the compassionate heart of a woman dedicated to justice. With unprecedented access to Dr. Burgess and her work, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in criminal profiling and the importance of victim advocacy.
Don’t miss “Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer,” available for streaming on Hulu starting July 11.
Source: Hulu, Boston College News
