The BBC has shared some news ahead of the return of a much-loved series and fans will be thrilled16:02, 06 Aug 2026Detective comedy Ludwig is set to welcome a huge star when it returns.‌The series starring David Mitchell is back later this month, after winning over viewers with its first season. And the BBC has announced that Stephen Merchant will be a guest star.‌The comedian and actor, known for programmes including Extras and The Office, will star as a cocky snooker champion named Danny Sloane.‌Danny will appear in the fourth episode of series two, where he finds himself at odds with reclusive puzzle maker John (David). First look images show him looking serious as he scrutinises the snooker table with a cue in hand.Ludwig, which also stars Anna Maxwell Martin, started in 2024 and was hailed as "outstanding" and "perfect TV" by viewers.‌The series followed John, who posed as his twin James, a detective chief inspector in Cambridge, when James disappeared. He infiltrated the police station to investigate his brother's disappearance, but ended up getting involved in other cases as well.A synopsis has previously revealed that series two picks up from the end of series one, with both David and Anna returning and newcomers Mark Bonnar and Sian Clifford joining the cast.James is still missing, but John is now a Crime Scene Consultant for the Cambridge Police Authority, where he is putting his mind to "impossible" crimes. As a real employee at the station, he is not allowed to use police resources to keep probing what happened to his twin.‌"Of course, John won’t stop and neither will Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin), John’s sister-in-law and wife of his missing brother James - a puzzle needs solving and a husband and father needs bringing home," the synopsis said."One masquerade may have ended, but a new one has just begun," it teased.‌Last month it was confirmed that a third run of Ludwig has already been commissioned.David said that he was "delighted" by the news, and Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy commissioning, said: "Ludwig is exactly the kind of smart, distinctive, audience-pleasing show we love at BBC Comedy. Sharp writing, a compelling story, big laughs and, naturally, a generous helping of puzzles."He added that the show was "truly distinctive and much-loved", continuing: "And we’re excited to see what mysteries Ludwig tackles next."Article continues belowSeries two of Ludwig will premiere on Thursday August 20 at 9pm on BBC One. The first three episodes will drop on iPlayer at the same time.