A third series has been confirmed for the BBC’s comedy drama Ludwig.
The announcement comes ahead of the show’s highly anticipated second series and follows the success of the first.
Series one attracted more than 9.5 million viewers in 28 days, making it the BBC’s biggest scripted series since 2024 and the biggest comedy launch episode since at least 2018.
Created and written by Mark Brotherhood and produced by Big Talk Studios, Ludwig stars comedian David Mitchell as John “Ludwig” Taylor, a reclusive puzzle designer who assumes the identity of his missing twin brother, a detective chief inspector.
BBC show Ludwig renewed for series 3
David Mitchell, known for his work on Peep Show, said: "I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries.
"I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app."
The show also features Anna Maxwell Martin, with Fleabag’s Sian Clifford and Scottish actor Mark Bonnar joining the cast for the upcoming series.
The second series will pick up where the first left off, with Ludwig now working as a crime scene consultant for the Cambridge Police Authority.
However, he remains barred from using police resources to search for his still-missing twin brother or uncover what he was investigating.
Kenton Allen, executive producer and chief executive at Big Talk Studios, said: "Ludwig has become one of those rare shows that genuinely cuts through — critically, commercially and internationally.
"We’re hugely grateful to the BBC, ZDF and ITV Studios for the confidence they’ve shown in green-lighting a third season ahead of the launch of series two."
The show is produced by Big Talk Studios, part of ITV Studios, and is made in association with That Mitchell and Webb Company.
Executive producer Mr Allen credited the creative team behind the series for its success.
He said: "What Mark Brotherhood has created is brilliantly original, hugely entertaining and deceptively distinctive in the way it blends smart comedy with a richly satisfying detective engine.
"At the heart of that success is the remarkable partnership between David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, brought to life by an exceptional creative team.
"In a crowded global market, for audiences to have embraced Ludwig on this scale feels incredibly special.
"There's clearly nothing puzzling about that."
The first series included appearances from Sir Derek Jacobi, Felicity Kendal, Rose Ayling-Ellis, and Karl Pilkington.
Recommended reading:
- Coronation Street legend to get spin-off show after more than 50 years on ITV soap
- TV crime drama axed after three series following ‘open-ended’ final episode
- Ricky Gervais to celebrate 25th anniversary of The Office with YouTube special
Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning at the BBC, said: "Ludwig is exactly the kind of smart, distinctive, audience-pleasing show we love at BBC comedy.
"Sharp writing, a compelling story, big laughs and, naturally, a generous helping of puzzles."
The second series will air later this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Did you watch the first series of Ludwig? Let us know in the comments.
