Ludwig

Ludwig is an absolute gem that masterfully combines the intrigue of a classic whodunit with the charm of a comedy. David Mitchell shines as the loveable amateur sleuth, bringing his unique wit and charisma to the role. The series is a refreshing take on the murder mystery genre, reminiscent of shows like Jonathan Creek

The writing is sharp and clever, keeping viewers engaged with its intricate plots and humorous dialogue. Each episode is a delightful puzzle, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The supporting cast, including Anna Maxwell Martin, adds depth and warmth to the show, making it a truly enjoyable watch.

The trope of gathering all the suspects together to reveal the killer is similar to death in paradise Ludwig is not just another detective drama; it's a cozy, feel-good series that offers both suspense and laughter. Whether you're a fan of crime dramas or just looking for something entertaining to watch, Ludwig is a must-see. Highly recommended!

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.

A savant on the spectrum, acting as a detective, sees the tiny details other miss and then solves the crime, all while being enmeshed in a much bigger problem.

The characters are very likable, the plots are reasonably believable, and there is a refreshing lack of phony subplots.

Each episode is a stand alone case while the big problem consumes the entire series, so there is a satisfying ending to each episode while the big puzzle has some more pieces added to it.

Agatha Christie always ended her books with Hercule Poirot gathering all the suspects together and meticulously going through the crime, finally revealing the culprit. That was always my favourite part, and this series does exactly that.

My only quibble is that the last 2 episodes are very dark exposure wise, and it is very difficult to see what is going on at times.

I've only ever seen David Mitchell on Would I lie to you, but saw a trailer for this and it looked good so my husband and I settled in to try the first episode. Before we knew it, it was almost midnight and we had watched 3 episodes. All whilst laughing our socks off, giggling away and coming up with crazy theories to try and solve the case.

The characters are all endearing and the idea that you don't know who you can trust had us looking for the slightest hint and clue as to who was the dodgy party. Each episode has a different central murder to solve to keep you intrigued, whilst still having the main mystery of John's' brothers' disappearance.

We have now watched the remaining 3 episodes the next morning- desperate to get back to it and we think this is one of the best series we have watched in a long time. But there is still so much left unsolved- we are in dire need of a second series!!!

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.