BBC's Ludwig is set to return for a second series and it's coming sooner than expected08:44, 06 Aug 2026A hit BBC crime series is set to make its highly anticipated return to screens - and fans don’t have long to wait.‌The detective dramedy became the BBC's biggest comedy launch in six years upon its debut in September 2024.‌Starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, the new series will launch its second season on BBC One on August 20, with all six episodes dropping simultaneously on iPlayer on the same date.‌Fans will be thrilled at the prospect of binge-watching the new episodes, which will see Mitchell reprise his role as John "Ludwig" Taylor, a reclusive puzzle maker who publishes puzzle books under the pen name Ludwig.He also portrays James Taylor, John's identical twin brother and an accomplished detective chief inspector within the Cambridge police force.‌The first season of Ludwig saw James vanish without trace, prompting his twin brother to assume his identity as he infiltrated the local police station to investigate, ultimately helping to crack other cases along the way.The synopsis for the second season reads: "Now that he's an official employee of the station, John is forbidden from using any police resources to look for his brother or uncover exactly what he was investigating."Of course, John won't stop, and neither will Lucy, John's sister-in-law and wife of his missing brother James.‌"A puzzle needs solving and a husband and father needs bringing home. One masquerade may have ended, but a new one has just begun."Returning alongside David is Anna Maxwell Martin, who is reprising her role as Lucy Betts-Taylor, Dipo Ola as DI Russell Carter, Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw.‌As well as Ralph Ineson as Chief Constable Ziegler, Karl Pilkington as DI Matt Neville and Dylan Hughes as Henry Betts-Taylor.The second series will also introduce some fresh faces, with Line of Duty's Mark Bonnar taking on the role of newspaper editor Gareth Fisher, and Fleabag favourite Sian Clifford stepping in as local MP Joanne Kemper.Sharing his thoughts on the show's comeback, Mitchell said: "I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood's brilliant mysteries."Article continues belowThe star added: "I can't wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app."Ludwig season two will air on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 20 August, and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from the same date.