A brilliant puzzle setter, a missing twin, and a string of murders make Ludwig one of the BBC’s most surprisingly entertaining mysteries.
Ludwig may not reinvent the murder-mystery procedural, but it doesn't need to. What it does extremely well is combine clever cases, quirky humor, and an intriguing season-long mystery with a wonderfully awkward protagonist. David Mitchell is perfectly cast as John Taylor, a reclusive, technophobic puzzle setter who suddenly finds himself pretending to be his missing identical twin brother, DCI James Taylor, in order to figure out what happened to him.
The result is a surprisingly fun crime comedy-drama that balances its weekly murder mysteries with the larger mystery surrounding James' disappearance. John may have absolutely no police experience—and would probably rather solve puzzles from the comfort of his own home—but his ability to see patterns and think several steps ahead makes him an unexpectedly effective detective. Anna Maxwell Martin is equally terrific as Lucy, James' determined sister, whose desperation to find out what happened to her husband gives the story its emotional foundation. Their investigation gradually uncovers a much bigger conspiracy involving police corruption and the mysterious Sinclair case, giving the season a solid overarching storyline.
What makes Ludwig especially enjoyable is the way it never takes itself too seriously. Mitchell's awkwardness provides plenty of laughs, while the mysteries are clever enough to keep you guessing. The finale raises the stakes nicely, with John and Lucy finally uncovering James' research—only for the final moments to reveal that James is actually alive and watching from the shadows. It's a great cliffhanger that opens the door for even more trouble.
Ludwig isn't trying to be the next great reinvention of the detective drama, but it's clever, charming, funny, and surprisingly addictive. If you're looking for something to watch on a rainy weekend, this is an easy recommendation. Overall, I give this season an 8.5/10.
Have you watched Ludwig? Are you looking forward to Season 2? Leave a comment.
You can stream Ludwig on BritBox.
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