It feels like all our Christmases have come at once, thanks to the BBC. The channel already announced the return of the exceptionally good detective drama, Ludwig, with our favourite sleuthing duo David Mitchell (John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor) and Anna Maxwell Martin (Lucy). But before the second series has even braced our screens this summer, they’ve announced a surprise return and a ‘compelling’ new story for series 3.
For those that don’t already know, Ludwig introduces us to the eponymous star John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor. He’s a homebody and expert puzzle solver who prefers a quiet existence. But when his identical twin, a high-flying detective at Cambridgeshire Police, vanishes, he is forced outside of his comfort zone, channeling his knack for cracking codes into finding his brother – all while masquerading as him. While series 2 promises new cast members, storylines, series 3 is set to be just as exciting – with David sharing a subtle clue of what's to come.
With its upcoming release this summer, here’s everything you need to know about series 2 (and 3) ahead of its release.
What is Ludwig about?
The first series introduces us to John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (David Mitchell), he’s an introverted puzzle-maker and doesn’t like to step outside his front door – and avoids modern technology. Then, his identical twin brother, James, a successful DCI leading a major crimes team in Cambridge, vanishes. Despite being his carbon copy physically, the brothers are polar opposites in every other sense. But, to try and locate him, John decides to assume his identity to solve the biggest puzzle he’s ever encountered. While masquerading as his brother, he becomes embroiled in solving other cases for the police force.
What is Ludwig series 2 about?
With series 2 coming out this August, we will meet John again, but this time, he doesn’t have to hide his identity anymore since he’s an official consultant for the Cambridgeshire Police. However, there’s a catch – now he’s not allowed to use any of the police resources to find his twin, who is still missing!
What is Ludwig series 3 about?
David Mitchell is returning alongside Anna Maxwell Martin, who plays Lucy, James’ wife, for six episodes. We expect Ludwig to solve more riveting cases alongside the police – and our hope is that they will get closer to finally tracking down James.
What to read next
David even hinted at a grand unravelling, telling the BBC: ‘I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries. I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app.’
Who’s in the cast of Ludwig?
New cast members joining for Ludwig series 2 are:
- Mark Bonnar (Dept Q) as newspaper editor Gareth Fisher
- Sian Clifford (Fleabag) as local MP Joanne Kemper
- Ben Ashenden (Black Mirror) as DC Ethan Cole
- Rumi Sutton (After The Flood) as DC Caitlin Sullivan
The returning cast of Ludwig series 2 includes:
- David Mitchell as Ludwig
- Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor
- Dipo Ola as DCI Russell Carter
- Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw
- Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler
- Karl Pilkington as DI Matt Neville
- Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor
Is there a trailer for Ludwig?
Yes – you can watch the full trailer for Ludwig here.
Is Ludwig any good?
Yes – David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin’s performances, not to mention the brilliantly witty writing and compelling puzzles, kept us hooked for all six episodes of the first series. And we weren’t alone in our obsession, more than 9.5 million viewers tuned into the first series, winning it the crown of BBC’s biggest scripted show of that year to date.
How can I watch Ludwig?
You can watch the first series of Ludwig now on BBC iPlayer. The second series will air on the BBC in August 2026 and we will keep you updated when we find out more about series 3’s scheduling.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you’re in the mood for something a little darker but equally as captivating, we’d point you towards another BBC offering called Black Snow. The series takes us Down Under where we join Detective James Cormack (Travis Fimmel), who has a knack for solving cold cases. In the first series, the opening of a time capsule holds the clue to finding a girl who went missing two decades ago. All episodes of Black Snow are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. For a feelgood watch, we’d point you towards Channel 4’s Blanca, where we meet unconventional sleuth Blanca, a blind investigations intern who uses her exceptional auditory skills to solve a plethora of puzzling cases. All episodes of Blanca are available to watch on Channel 4.
