Ludwig series 2 full cast list for BBC mystery-drama show

The reclusive puzzle-setter was thrown into the world of policing in the first season after his identical twin brother James, a detective chief inspector, vanished without explanation.

The second series finds John working officially as a Crime Scene Consultant for the Cambridge Police Authority, teaming up with DCI Russell Carter (Dipo Ola) on seemingly “impossible” crimes.

No longer masquerading as James, he is “more Ludwig than ever”, brilliant at puzzles but hopeless at almost everything else.

The fate of his brother, though, still eludes him, the BBC’s official synopsis shares.

Returning alongside Mitchell and Ola are Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor, 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.

Meanwhile, fresh faces include Mark Bonnar as newspaper editor Gareth Fisher and Sian Clifford as local MP Joanne Kemper.

Discussing where we find Ludwig at the start of the second season, Mitchell shared: “At the start of this series, he’s discovered all this evidence and potential clues to the terrible thing that’s been going on that made his brother disappear.

“But it’s boxes and boxes.

“He’s quite happily pottering his way through them, trying to work out which of the conspiracy theories are absolute nonsense and which of them might have a kernel of truth.

“It’s like a big jumbo crossword that you can luxuriate over for a whole Sunday afternoon but, in this case, a Sunday afternoon might turn into months.”

Ahead of the second series airing, the BBC commissioned Ludwig for a third.

Mitchell said: “I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries.

“I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app.”

Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, 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 team at Big Talk have crafted something truly distinctive and much-loved, and we’re excited to see what mysteries Ludwig tackles next.”

Ludwig series 2 full cast list

• David Mitchell as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor
• Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor
• Dipo Ola as DCI Russell Carter
• Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler
• Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw
• Ben Ashenden as DC Ethan Cole
• Rumi Sutton as DCI Caitlin Sullivan
• Michael Wildman as DCC Clint Radley
• Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor
• Karl Pilkington as DI Matt Neville
• Mark Bonnar as Gareth Fisher
• Sian Clifford as Joanne Kemper

• Rebecca Front as Patricia Lowery
• Doon Mackichan as Portia Lowery
• Gillian Royale as Lilibeth Lowery
• Josh Bolt as Adam Newsum
• Bairavi Manoharan as Hannah Foster
• Daniel Lawrence Taylor as Aiden Mooney
• Gary Beadle as Phillip Mooney
• Rory Douglas-Speed as Tristan Price
• Michelle Greenidge as Jackie Mooney
• Tsion Habte as Sienna Mooney
• Lloyd Bowen as Owen Doyle
• Stephen Merchant as Danny Sloane

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When will Ludwig series 2 be on TV?

Ludwig’s second series will begin at 9pm on BBC One on Thursday, July 20.

After that, the remaining five episodes will air weekly in the same timeslot.

Alternatively, the first three episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer after the premiere airs.

The final three episodes will then follow in September.

Will you be watching season two of Ludwig? Let us know in the comments.