[tv show] Ludwig - Series 2

[6Foot2]

Link: Ludwig, BBC’s biggest new scripted show of the year is set to return

 

Ludwig, the smash hit detective series starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, will return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One after a stellar first run. The series captivated audiences, attracting over 9.5 million viewers (28-day figure), making it the BBC’s biggest scripted show of the year to date, the largest since 2022. It’s the biggest launch for a comedy since at least 2018.

 

Created and written by Mark Brotherhood and produced by Big Talk Studios, which is part of ITV Studios, in collaboration with That Mitchell and Webb Company, the binge-worthy comedy-drama wrapped up its first series last night (Wednesday 30th October). Described as ‘the funniest show on TV this year’ (The Guardian) and ‘a comedy triumph’ (Daily Telegraph), Ludwig has been praised by both critics and viewers alike.

 

The show follows John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, whose identical twin brother James mysteriously vanishes. John takes on his brother’s identity to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. But there’s a twist: John has lived a quiet, uneventful life, designing puzzles and avoiding the outside world, while his brother is a high-flying DCI leading a major crimes team in Cambridge. Filling in for James leads to hilariously high stakes and serious crime-solving.

 

For the second series, David Mitchell returns as Ludwig, alongside Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor, the wife of John’s missing brother James.

 

David Mitchell says: “I’m delighted that John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor has failed to escape the clutches of the Cambridge police and will have to continue to face up to the city’s alarming conundrum-based crime wave.”

 

Kenton Allen, Executive Producer and CEO Big Talk Studios, says: “The success of Ludwig is a testament to the power of Mark Brotherhood’s sharp and intelligent storytelling combined with the phenomenal talents of David, Anna and the brilliant supporting cast. It’s no surprise to me that the show has been such a resounding hit in these uncertain times. I think audiences crave solutions to life’s problems and Ludwig’s detective skills give us all comfort in this often puzzling world”.

 

Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, says: “The blend of top-tier British comic talent, a gripping mystery, and brilliantly crafted crime storylines had viewers hooked from day one. We had high hopes for Ludwig, and it’s safe to say this comedy-detective series with a twist has become a true standout. We can’t thank Mark Brotherhood, David Mitchell, Anna Maxwell Martin, and the entire cast and crew enough for creating something so special. We’re eagerly awaiting series two, though it’s a bit of a shame we’ll have to spoil the surprises for ourselves by actually reading the scripts first!”

 

Mark Brotherhood, Creator and Writer, says: “We’ve all been blown away by the reaction to Ludwig and I’m thrilled we get to come back with a whole new set of puzzles for him to solve in his unique way”.

 

Ludwig is a Big Talk Studios production in association with That Mitchell And Webb Company. Series two will again be written by Mark Brotherhood. The executive producers are Kenton Allen, Mark Brotherhood, David Mitchell, Kathryn O’Connor and Chris Sussman. The new series was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Tanya Qureshi. Ludwig is produced in association with ITV Studios, which also handles international distribution. The series is a BritBox co-production for the United States and Canada.

[6Foot2]

Link: Mark Bonnar and Sian Clifford join Ludwig : News 2025 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide

 

Quote

Catastrophe actor Mark Bonnar, Fleabag’s Sian Clifford and The Pin’s Ben Ashenden are to join detective series Ludwig, the BBC has announced 

 

Filming is now under way on the second series of the show, starring David Mitchell in the title role and Anna Maxwell Martin as his sister-in-law.

 

Bonnar will play a newspaper editor,  Clifford a local MP and Ashenden – recently seen as a cop in Deep Cover, the Amazon crime-comedy movie he co-wrote – as a detective constable. All will be series regulars. 

 

In the second series, crossword-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor is a consultant working on ‘impossible’ crimes for Cambridge police, but no longer having to masquerade as his identical twin brother, who nevertheless remains missing...

 

[6Foot2]

Link: ‘Anna Maxwell-Martin is a standout’: Detective show that’s ‘best British drama in years’ confirms return

 

Quote

... Returning cast for Ludwig season two:

• David Mitchell as John 'Ludwig' Taylor
• Anna Maxwell-Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor
• Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor
• Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw
• Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler
• Karl Pilkington as DI Matt Neville

Beyond the familiar faces Ludwig fans have come to know and love, there's also a list of newbies joining the cast. Notably, the BBC has confirmed the arrival of Stephen Merchant. He is taking on the role of "cocky snooker champion Danny Sloane" who is "at odds with John Ludwig." Sounds intriguing!

 

Additional cast regulars for Ludwig season two:

• Stephen Merchant as Danny Sloane
• Mark Bonnar as newspaper editor Gareth Fisher
• Sian Clifford as local MP Joanne Kemper
• Ben Ashenden as DC Ethan Cole
• Rumi Sutton as DC Caitlin Sullivan

When is Ludwig season 2 being released?

 

Ludwig season two will premiere on Thursday 20 August 2026 at 9pm on BBC One. But, loyal fans don't have to wait week-by-week for episodes! As soon as the premiere has aired, the first three episodes (read: half of the season) will be available to watch (read: binge) on BBC iPlayer. Following that, the final three episodes will be available in September...

 

[6Foot2]

 

Ludwig series 2 episodes 1, 2, and 3 are currently available to stream via iPlayer.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Excellent!  And with series two of Bookish starting later this month, we're well set for good old crime capers!

[simpsonj]

Is Bookish any good? I've had it recorded for ages, but have yet to take the plunge!

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Yeah, it's excellent. Each case takes up two episodes, which keeps the pacing nice: the setting, acting and writing are all good.