David Mitchell stars as professional puzzler-turned-detective John Taylor in the hit BBC show ‘Ludwig’. The series premiered in September 2024 to widespread acclaim, racking up over 9.5 million viewers in its first month in Britain. “I grew up with ‘Inspector Morse’, ‘Miss Marple’ and all that,” Mitchell says.
“It’s a kind of television I love watching so I’ve long wanted to be in one.”
The show follows Mitchell as John “Ludwig” Taylor, whose identical twin brother James mysteriously vanishes. John is coaxed into taking on his brother’s identity to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. But there’s a twist: John’s uneventful life designing puzzles is forced to take a backseat while he imitates James, who happens to be a high-flying detective leading a major crimes team.
Anna Maxwell Martin stars alongside Mitchell as Lucy, the wife of John’s missing brother.
Mitchell’s British detective debut
Their chemistry on screen is fantastic, despite not knowing each other well before filming.
“I had seen her in loads of things and was thrilled when she said she’d do the part because that immediately gave the project a dramatic credibility that I felt I lacked,” Mitchell says. “She was really lovely to work with, fun, and funny. Chatting on set was always very enjoyable.”
Now, Mitchell prepares to charm audiences in North America as the first two episodes drop on BritBox, followed by one new episode weekly until April 17.
“The fact that it’s so overtly British might help it,” Mitchell says about bringing the show to North America. “Hopefully, people coming to it will be coming for that British sensibility.”
As for season two, Mitchell aims to deliver “more of the same” when filming commences later this year. “Our hope and aim is to give more of the same: the ongoing, intriguing narrative and the same weekly, resolved mystery,” he says.
“Other than that, I don’t really know much more, but I’m also under instructions not to say any more!”
Image Credits: Photo by Jefferson Santos on Unsplash
