The BBC has confirmed that Ludwig series 2 will premiere on August 20, with all six episodes available on iPlayer the same day. The show, starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, became the BBC's biggest comedy launch in six years when it debuted in September 2024.
Returning cast and new additions
David Mitchell reprises his dual role as John "Ludwig" Taylor, a reclusive puzzle creator, and his twin brother James Taylor, a detective chief inspector. Anna Maxwell Martin returns as Lucy Betts-Taylor, alongside Dipo Ola as DI Russell Carter, Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw, Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler, Karl Pilkington as DI Matt Neville, and Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor.
New cast members include Mark Bonnar as newspaper editor Gareth Fisher and Sian Clifford as local MP Joanne Kemper.
Plot synopsis
The second series follows John as an official station employee, but strict limitations prevent him from using police resources to search for his missing brother or investigate his work. Determined to uncover the truth, John teams up with Lucy to bring James home. As one deception ends, another begins, setting the stage for new intrigue.
David Mitchell told Radio Times: "When you watch the second series, you realise there's still quite a lot of obfuscation involved in his role, because not everyone in the police force is entirely on side with his appointment. And of course, he's still got to cover up the fact that for a long time he was solving cases while impersonating a police officer. And if that ever gets out, well, five murderers will walk free, and he won't walk free himself."
Broadcast details
Ludwig series 2 airs on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 20 August and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from the same date.
