Synopsis

Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve serious crimes with the California Bureau of Investigation.

CBS was looking for a show that would work as a companion to NCIS, and Heller welcomed the challenge of developing a popular show within the constraints of primetime network television and adapted his concept to fit.

Heller describes the character of the Mentalist as being a combination of a Sherlock Holmes type and street psychic, part detective helping people and part con artist selling people lies.

Wanting the character to have both physical and spiritual grace, Heller imagined someone like Cary Grant for the role.

The Mentalist often sets episodes based on fictional locales with names such as Salinger Mill and Rancho Rosa.

On October 15, 2008, CBS ordered the first season of The Mentalist and the show was renewed annually from 2010, both in the domestic market and overseas.

In November 2013, Amanda Righetti (Van Pelt) and Owain Yeoman (Rigsby) were confirmed to be leaving after season six concluded.