Scripted

BBC One has unveiled new images from its highly anticipated detective series Ludwig, starring David Mitchell. The show, which blends elements of comedy and drama, follows the intriguing journey of reclusive puzzle-setter John Ludwig Taylor, played by Mitchell, as he is thrust into the complex and chaotic life of his identical twin brother, James.

In Ludwig, viewers will follow John Taylor’s unconventional quest to find his missing brother, a decorated Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) in Cambridge’s Major Investigations Team. With James having vanished without a trace, Ludwig is forced to step out of his comfort zone and into his brother’s shoes—literally. However, stepping into the life of a respected DCI, family man, and all-around social being proves far more challenging than Ludwig anticipated. As a man accustomed to solving puzzles in solitude, Ludwig must now navigate the labyrinthine challenges of family life, police work, and social interactions, all while maintaining his brother’s identity.

The series is set to explore not only the complexities of criminal investigations but also the intricacies of human relationships and identity. Ludwig’s knack for seeing the world as one big puzzle might be his greatest asset in solving crimes, but when it comes to understanding his brother’s life and the people in it, he’s in uncharted territory.

Joining David Mitchell in this compelling series is Anna Maxwell Martin, a double BAFTA TV Award winner known for her standout roles in Motherland and Line of Duty. Martin plays Lucy Betts-Taylor, the wife of Ludwig’s missing brother James and Ludwig’s sister-in-law. Her character brings depth and tension to the series as she navigates the strange new version of her husband in Ludwig.

The cast of Ludwig also includes an array of talented actors: Dipo Ola (Landscapers, We Hunt Together) as DI Russell Carter, Gerran Howell (Catch-22, Suspicion) as DC Simon Evans, Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point, Big Boys) as DS Alice Finch, Dylan Hughes (Malory Towers, Maternal) as Henry Betts-Taylor, Dorothy Atkinson (Mum, The Gold) as DCS Carol Shaw, Sophie Willan (Alma’s Not Normal, Time) as Holly Pinder, and Ralph Ineson (The Witch, Chernobyl) as Chief Constable Ziegler.

The series also features a star-studded lineup of guest stars, including national treasures Derek Jacobi and Felicity Kendal, alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis, Karl Pilkington, Allan Mustafa (People Just Do Nothing, Peacock), Paul Chahidi (This Country), and Hammed Animashaun (Black Ops).

Ludwig is a six-episode series set to premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Autumn. It is produced by Big Talk Studios in association with That Mitchell And Webb Company for BBC One. The series was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, and is written and created by Mark Brotherhood. The show’s executive producers include Kenton Allen, Mark Brotherhood, Saurabh Kakkar, David Mitchell, Kathryn O’Connor, and Chris Sussman, with Georgie Fallon serving as producer. The directors for the series are Robert McKillop and Jill Robertson, with Tanya Qureshi acting as the BBC Commissioning Editor.

Produced in association with ITV Studios, Ludwig is poised to be distributed internationally, offering viewers worldwide a chance to see David Mitchell in this intriguing new role. Fans of mystery, comedy, and drama alike should mark their calendars for what promises to be one of the most talked-about series of the season.