Ludwig has returned for its second series, and devotees of the popular detective programme are delighted. Featuring comedian David Mitchell as master puzzle-setter John 'Ludwig' Taylor and Anna Maxwell Martin as his sister-in-law Lucy, the British mystery drama has been hailed as the 'ultimate comfort food' in a crime format.
Series Two Plot and Cambridge Setting
Series two will continue from where the first concluded, with Ludwig now serving as a Crime Scene Consultant, collaborating with DCI Russell Carter (Dipo Ola) on 'impossible' crimes for the Cambridge Police Authority. While the second series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring guest appearances from Stephen Merchant and Sian Clifford, Cambridge, where the programme is both set and shot, assumes a significant role, reports Cambridgeshire Live.
Discussing this, producer Georgie Fallon explained: 'Cambridge, as a setting, is important to the show. We didn't want to set it in London because so much is set in London, but Cambridge feels like a big enough, cosmopolitan enough city to justify the horrendous number of murders that they have there.'
'It's also beautiful on camera and feels recognisable to viewers, but it hasn't been seen loads. I think Cambridge has a nice mix of the beautiful old architecture, but also this really modern side with the science parks and all the research and that's very interesting for us to set our world in.'
David Mitchell on Cambridge and Filming Challenges
While lead actor David commented on Cambridge: 'I went to university there, and I love it. You want people to enjoy slipping into this world like a pair of slippers, but with a dead body in them. Cambridge is obviously a great candidate for that.'
'Inspector Morse is one of my favourite shows, but that was set in Oxford. That's where people want to escape to in this kind of program. I think you've got to have a beautiful setting to juxtapose with the nature of the crimes.'
In a diary he maintained during Ludwig's production, which he shared with Radio Times, the comedian also disclosed the challenges of shooting in Cambridge. He noted: 'Cambridge is an absolute nightmare to film in. It looks great, but you have to bring in a lot of vehicles full of lights and cameras and actors and make-up artists, and this city wasn't built for traffic.'
'So they set up a 'unit base' on the outskirts of Cambridge, and baffled drivers who don't know the area try to negotiate their way through with the aid of Google Maps until they reach some bollards and a Cyclists Only sign and I say, 'I can get out, I think I know the way from here.''
Executive Producer on Setting's Importance
Executive producer Kenton Allen also discussed Cambridge's significance. He remarked: 'I think the setting is critical for any crime drama. When you think of Inspector Morse, you think of Oxford. When you think of Broadchurch, you think of the Dorset coast and the beach and cliff setting.'
'I think Cambridge gives us another layer of specificity and a visual language. I think the more specific you can be about where you are, the stronger flavour your show can have.'
'It's a lot of period shows that feature Cambridge, but there's not that much contemporary drama that's been shot there. I think it feels fresh to a British audience.'
Series two of Ludwig will premiere on Thursday, August 20 at 9pm on BBC One. The first three episodes will drop on iPlayer at the same time.
