‘Ludwig’ has solved another puzzle: how to bring 9.1 million people to the opening episode of its second series. According to the BBC, that 28-day audience makes it the biggest scripted launch of the year so far across broadcasters and streamers.
There is a substantial iPlayer audience behind that figure. The first episode drew 5.5 million viewers on BBC iPlayer, making it the service’s second biggest opening episode for a BBC comedy this year. The six-part series has now finished its run on BBC One, but viewers can still catch up on iPlayer.
David Mitchell returns as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, a puzzle setter whose talent for untangling seemingly impossible crimes has proved rather more useful to the police than his ability to navigate ordinary human interaction. Series two gave John a new title, crime scene consultant, while keeping the delightfully awkward man underneath it.
Alongside Mitchell, the cast includes Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland), Dipo Ola, Dylan Hughes, Dorothy Atkinson (Mum), Ralph Ineson (The Witch), Karl Pilkington (Sick of It), Mark Bonnar (Shetland), Sian Clifford (Fleabag), Ben Ashenden and Rumi Sutton. Mark Brotherhood created and wrote the series.
If six episodes have left you wanting another case, John’s diary is already filling up. A Christmas special is on its way this festive season, with Sir David Suchet among its guest stars. Seeing the actor so closely associated with Poirot enter Ludwig’s world should be a treat for detective fans. Filming is also well underway on series three, although the BBC has yet to announce when it will air.
Kenton Allen, CEO of producer Big Talk Studios, called the audience response “genuinely thrilling” and praised Brotherhood for creating “a clever, funny, warm-hearted show that audiences seem to have made part of their lives.” With a Christmas visit ahead and another full series in production, it seems viewers have plenty more time to spend with John and his particular approach to crime solving.
‘Ludwig’ series two is available now on BBC iPlayer. The Christmas special is due on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this festive season. Series three is currently filming, with no premiere date announced.
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