Crime drama dubbed ‘the best BBC series in years’ is ‘delayed’ – with fans having to wait over a year for new episodes
A CRIME drama that's dubbed 'the best BBC series in years is 'delayed' with fans having to wait over a year for new episodes.
Drawing the most viewers for a new show since 2022, ten million people have tuned in and streamed the series since its release last year.
BBC bosses jumped at the opportunity to commission a second series of Ludwig after the first, starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, became one of the standout hits of last year.
However, unfortunately for fans, the second series will not start filming until September meaning Ludwig won't be on air on our tv screens this year.
It is thought, instead the series will hit our screens in the spring of 2026.
The delay for the audience is down to writer Mark Brotherhood needing time to craft the next six scripts, plus the availability of the show's cast.
crime drama
One insider told : “Fans will have to sit tight because Ludwig won’t be back until next year.
"This level of sharp storytelling doesn’t happen overnight, and then everyone needed to be locked in for filming.
"But the good news is that the scripts are coming along nicely and it will film from September.”
Ludwig is the biggest comedy series launch on the Beeb in six years, and the highest rated scripted show last year.
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Ludwig even beat the likes of Silent Witness, Call The Midwife and Death in Paradise for this honour.
At the time. fans had already compared it to Death in Paradise, calling the show the 'perfect replacement' for the long-running favourite.
David will return to the show as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, who fell into life as a detective when trying to figure out the truth behind his twin brother James’s disappearance.
Teaming up with James’s wife Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin) the pair get to work and find a newfound love of detection.
Anna is also believed to be making a comeback for the new series as well.
Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy commissioning, said at the time of the announcement: “The combination of sharp writing, David Mitchell’s pitch-perfect casting, and a standout ensemble of British comic talent make Ludwig truly distinctive within the cosy crime genre.”
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here's a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman's war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he's tasked to investigate while Wallander's job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.
He added the show “Has the potential to enjoy a long and successful run due to its unique idea that taps into both comedy and true crime fans.
“As we know, traditional sitcoms take a lot longer to find their audience but when it does, statistics show us that repeat viewing increases massively and shows have a longer tail.”
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Jon added that the BBC hopes to commission more shows that blend genres in this way going forward.
Season One of Ludwig is available to stream on BBCIplayer.