Brady Wilson Hartsfield is a major antagonist of the Stephen King multiverse.
He is the main antagonist of The Bill Hodges Trilogy, and its TV series Mr. Mercedes. Serving as the titular main antagonist of the novel Mr. Mercedes, a minor character in its sequel Finders Keepers, and later returns as the main antagonist of the final novel End of Watch. He is also a posthumous antagonist of the novel The Outsider, and the short story If it Bleeds.
Quick Answers
What role does Brady Hartsfield play in the Stephen King multiverse?
How does Brady Hartsfield's character evolve throughout The Bill Hodges Trilogy?
What is the significance of the 'Mercedes Killer' in relation to Brady Hartsfield?
In which Stephen King novels does Brady Hartsfield appear posthumously?
What is the relationship between Brady Hartsfield and the 'End of Watch' Stephen King movie?
Mr. Mercedes T.V. Series[]
Brady was born to an alcoholic mother and a father who died in his early childhood. Not much is known about his childhood, other than the fact that he was forced by his mother to kill his younger brother, who was severely mentally disabled. This resulted in a strong, sexual relationship with his mother.
Novel[]
Brady Hartsfield is first seen committing the famous Mercedes killing by running over and killing 8 people at a job fair, giving him the name of the Mercedes Killer. Here, it is shown that he is a very John Doe-esque murderer, leaving many clues and notes to the cops, including a smiley face on the dashboard of the Mercedes, his sigil. He worked as an electronics salesman and an ice cream truck driver, the latter job being used to spy on Bill Hodges, who was the detective on his murder case. Bill Hodges had since retired, but Brady kept on sending him anonymous notes warning of his next strike. Brady is seen to be an emotionally-unstable and possibly mentally-ill young man.
Brady makes a brief appearance in Finders Keepers when Bill Hodges visits Brady's hospital room after he was seriously injured by Holly Gibney. It is shown that Brady has gained the ability to move objects with his mind.
In End of Watch, it is told that Brady gained his abilities from combination of medical drugs and brain damage from Holly Gibney. We learn that Brady also has the ability to possess other humans who are under the influence of a Zappit game console. This leads to Brady using his abilities to cause the suicides of people, who he had previously attempted, but failed to kill. Brady plays another cat-and-mouse game with Bill Hodges, but fails and commits suicide.
Trivia[]
- Brady's appearance in the TV series is very different from the novel trilogy. Becoming a tall, skinny, pale man with short hair, instead of an overweight man with glasses.
- Brady was originally going to be portrayed by the late Anton Yelchin.
Appearances[]
- Mr. Mercedes
- Finders Keepers
- End of Watch
- Holly (mentioned)
| The Hodges/Gibney metaseries | |
| Novels | Mr. Mercedes • Finders Keepers • End of Watch • The Outsider • Holly |
| Short stories | If it Bleeds |
| Adaptations | Mr. Mercedes (TV Series) • The Outsider (TV Series) |
| Characters | Bill Hodges • Holly Gibney • Jerome Robinson • Brady Hartsfield |