Murder mystery series Ludwig is set to return to the BBC for a second season, after becoming a massive hit for crime drama fans.

Viewers have dubbed the David Mitchell comedy thriller as “the best series from the BBC in years”, demanding another run. A source close to the show has confirmed that BBC bosses are over the moon with the ratings and reviews and it won’t be long before series two is officially given the green light.

The source said: “There have been a lot of noises about a second series and I would be absolutely gobsmacked if it didn’t come back. Everyone involved at the BBC is delighted with how well the show has done. It’s given them the perfect detective drama, a fresh take on a classic genre. The ratings have been through the roof and all the episodes have been in the Top 10 on BBC iPlayer since the show launched two weeks ago.”

John (David Mitchell) is out of his comfort zone as he assumes his twin’s identity ( 
Image:
BBC / Big Talk Studios)
The insider added: “And it’s not just the ratings that everyone is thrilled with, it’s the rave reviews as well, in the press and on social media. You only have to read the comments, with fans demanding more episodes, to know that this will absolutely come back. Hopefully the BBC will make the official announcement before the end of the first season.”

Ludwig continues tonight on BBC1 with episode three, but all six episodes are already available on iPlayer, so fans know that the show ends with a massive plot cliffhanger that primes for another run.

In the drama, Peep Show comedy actor David plays awkward puzzle setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, whose solitary life is upended when his identical twin, a police detective, vanishes. John is drafted in by his sister-in-law Lucy, played by Line Of Duty and Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin, to assume his brother’s identity to help find him. The final scene of season one revealed a big plot twist about the whereabouts of John’s brother, just as John and Lucy uncovered a massive clue.

Anna Maxwell Martin plays Lucy in Ludwig ( 
Image:
BBC)
David, who executive produces Ludwig, also teased that a second run was on the cards. He says: “Yes, that’s certainly our hope that it will carry on. Fingers crossed. Of course you just hope that people enjoy the first series.” Asked if he would like Ludwig to be an inspiration, David laughs: “I’m megalomaniacal enough to say yes, maybe we will go down in legend as the greatest exponent of the genre.”