Ludwig

Just binged this on iPlayer and loved it.

Nothing particularly original about it but was good fun throughout and kept you guessing throughout every episode.

It's a kind of mix of many different detectives/mystery programmes - Holmes , Poirot , Professor T , Jonathon Creek etc but done with a David Mitchel style.

The beauty is that it is not padded out with filler just to drag out each episode - it's the perfect 60 minute mystery so it chugs along nicely and sticks to the plot - with no annoying subplots that go nowhere. Its attraction is its simplicity and humour.

It's a very family oriented show with no violence , bad language , nudity , sexual content - it's just wholesome great TV viewing !!

I wish there was more like this being commissioned by the BBC that was as good a quality as this is. I'm not usually one for overcooking an idea into endless seasons until it becomes a parody of itself - but I do hope they make at least a second series.

A gripping central story, expertly told and a great cast of actors - from David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, to the rest of the central cast (such as Dipo Ola, Izuka Hoyle and Sophie Willan) to the guests who crop up each week as he they have further mysteries to solve - particularly great to see Derek Jacobi still going strong.

I found it very funny but it also contained plenty of peril, not least that you're not sure what is and is not true or who they should trust.

We devoured all six episodes in three or four nights and frankly we're already clamouring for more. Please can everyone else watch it so we can have season two!

Lucy turns to her brother in law John, when her husband, John's twin brother James disappears. John, a puzzle designer by profession has to step into the shoes of his brother, a DCI in Cambridge.

It's a wonderful series, if I had to compare it to a show, it would be Jonathan Creek, you have complex mysteries, a wry humour, and a somewhat underrated, genius central character. It's light viewing, devoid of bad language and violence, it's intriguing family entertainment.

It's possibly the best new show to come out of The Beeb for years, I'm so glad to see it's been a ratings winner, and that a second series is in the pipeline. It has winner all over it, beautifully written, wonderfully produced and wonderfully acted.

David Mitchell is superb, perhaps the best thing I've seen him do, Anna Maxwell Martin, Dorothy Atkinson and Ralph Ineson are great. Sir Derek Jacobi gives a great guest performance.

Roll on Series 2, I can't wait for it.

9/10.

Ludwig is a new BBC series that brings a fresh and quirky twist to the detective genre. Starring David Mitchell, it follows John Taylor, a socially awkward puzzle lover who is reluctantly pulled into solving crimes when his police detective twin brother, James, mysteriously disappears. To find out what happened to James, John must impersonate his brother and use his unique puzzle-solving skills to crack the cases.

The show blends light-hearted humour with mystery, offering a cosy, entertaining experience. Each episode features a new crime for John to solve, while the central mystery of James's disappearance ties the story together. John's logical approach to crime-solving, combined with his nervous and introverted personality, creates a fun contrast as he stumbles through police work, often solving the cases in unconventional ways.

David Mitchell shines as John, bringing his signature wit and awkward charm to the role. His interactions with Anna Maxwell Martin, who plays Lucy, his determined and sharp sister-in-law, add emotional depth to the series. Lucy drives the investigation forward, motivating John to keep up the ruse while they search for James. Their relationship forms the heart of the show, balancing the comedic elements with moments of genuine concern and urgency.

While Ludwig doesn't offer intense drama or complex plots, it thrives as a light and enjoyable watch. The crimes are simple, and the stakes never feel too high, making it perfect for those who enjoy a laid-back mystery series. Its cosy atmosphere, combined with Mitchell's dry humour and the fun puzzle-solving aspect, makes it a charming addition to the detective genre.

In short, Ludwig is a pleasant, entertaining series with a unique puzzle-based approach to crime-solving, perfect for fans looking for something witty and easy going.

"David Mitchell wants to do a series in which he solves crimes like Inspector Morse or Miss Marple. We'll go with Morse - complete with puzzles - swap Oxford for Cambridge and build in the loveable fogeyishness that Mitchell has made a career of." That's what they thought and and it was a great idea. They were on to a winner. It's completely daft, bears little or no relation to actual police work, but it doesn't matter a jot. Mitchell is great, Anna Maxwell Martin is a delight - she is great at portraying really nice people (I remember Esther Summerson from 19 years ago) - and Dipo Ola is great as the sidekick (what a great voice he has). What's not so great is casting Dylan Hughes as 15 year old. It's laughable. He is likeable and can act OK (except not as a schoolboy. Really, can't they find any decent teenage actors? I know they exist.) I watched the whole series while laid low with a virus. It was just the right thing.