A SECOND series of new murder mystery drama Ludwig is set to be confirmed after it was dubbed “the best series from the BBC in years” by fans.
David Mitchell stars in Ludwig as the titular character – a man who lives a very solitary life until his brother suddenly disappears and he becomes embroiled in a shocking mystery.
According to a source close to the show, BBC bosses are thrilled with Ludwig’s initial ratings and reviews, so it won’t be long before series two is officially given the green light.
“There have been a lot of noises about a second series and I would be absolutely gobsmacked if it didn’t come back,” the source said to the Mirror.
They added: “Everyone involved at the BBC is delighted with how well the show has done. It’s given them the perfect detective drama, a fresh take on a classic genre.”
This has been reflected in the “through the roof” ratings, with the show being in BBC iPlayer’s Top 10 since it launched.
The insider added: “And it’s not just the ratings that everyone is thrilled with, it’s the rave reviews as well, in the press and on social media.
“You only have to read the comments, with fans demanding more episodes, to know that this will absolutely come back. Hopefully, the BBC will make the official announcement before the end of the first season.”
David, who executive produces Ludwig, also teased that a second run was on the cards.
He said: “Yes, that’s certainly our hope that it will carry on. Fingers crossed. Of course, you just hope that people enjoy the first series.”
Ludwig returned to screens on Wednesday night for its dramatic third instalment, but all six episodes of the series are already available to stream on iPlayer, so fans know that the show ends with a massive plot cliffhanger that primes for another run.
In the drama, Peep Show star David plays awkward puzzle setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, whose solitary life is upended when his identical twin, a police detective, vanishes.
John quickly becomes embroiled in this ongoing mystery as his sister-in-law Lucy, played by Line Of Duty and Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin, comes to him for help. She asks him to assume his brother’s identity in order to find out what happened.
In the series finale, a big plot twist about the whereabouts of John’s brother is revealed – just as John and Lucy uncover a massive clue.
Alongside David and Anna, the series stars Dipo Ola as DI Russell Carter, Izuka Hoyle as DS Alice Finch, Gerran Howell as DC Simon Evans, Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw, Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor, Sophie Willan as Holly Pinder and Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler.
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Ludwig airs on BBC One on Wednesdays at 9pm and is available to stream on iPlayer.
