Ludwig Review: David Mitchell Leads BBC’s Brilliantly Bonkers New Crime Comedy

BBC One’s newest crime drama Ludwig has arrived with an unexpectedly bold twist — and it’s already being hailed as “our new favourite crime series.” At once clever, chaotic, and quietly emotional, the six-part series showcases David Mitchell in a role fans didn’t see coming, yet one that fits him uncannily well. The result? A show that is as much a puzzle as its protagonist, and every bit as addictive.

Created by writer Mark Brotherhood, known for his smart, character-driven work on Mount Pleasant, Ludwig leans into a frankly genius premise: take the classic British murder mystery, shake out its polished charm, and replace it with an irritable, eccentric anti-hero whose brain works faster than the world around him. What emerges is a fresh, darkly funny spin on a genre the BBC has perfected — but not like this.

A New Kind of Detective

At the heart of the show is John “Ludwig” Taylor, played with razor-edged understatement by David Mitchell. Ludwig is the antithesis of the smooth detective archetype: cantankerous, anti-social, and deeply uncomfortable around people. A professional puzzle-maker by trade, he has retreated from society into a hermit-like existence where logic is comforting and humans are not.

Mitchell’s portrayal crackles with awkward brilliance — brittle, acerbic, yet strangely endearing. It’s a refreshing departure from the urbane satire of Peep Show or the intellectual humour of Would I Lie to You?. Here, he’s a man who seems almost allergic to emotions, but every so often betrays a flicker of vulnerability. It’s those flickers that make him fascinating.

The show wastes no time throwing Ludwig off balance. In the opening episode, he receives a surprise phone call from his sister-in-law Lucy — a call he nearly ignores out of instinctive dread. His confusion and discomfort immediately communicate what the audience will soon learn: Ludwig doesn’t do family, he doesn’t do feelings, and he definitely doesn’t do unexpected phone calls.

But Lucy’s message forces him into the outside world, dragging him into a case that is bizarre, layered, and unsettling in all the ways a good mystery should be.

A Clever Twist on a Classic Format

BBC crime dramas typically follow detectives polished to procedural perfection — think Line of Duty, Shetland, or Luther. Ludwig is different. It doesn’t just embrace the oddball; it builds the entire series around him.

Brotherhood’s writing is confidently whimsical, mixing:

Murder mystery plotting sharp enough to satisfy genre fans
Comedy that borders on absurd without losing emotional truth
Dark, almost gothic undertones beneath the jokes
A central character both irritating and irresistible

The tone is a delicate balance: just when you want to scream at Ludwig for his stubbornness, you find yourself charmed by his reluctant moral compass. When he tries — and fails — to interact normally, it becomes both hilarious and oddly poignant.

This comedic tension is the show’s superpower. It knows that some detectives brood. Others banter. Ludwig broods and banters at the same time, usually by accident.

A Standout Performance From Mitchell

David Mitchell’s comedic intelligence makes him perfect for this role. His timing is impeccable; his irritation is practically an art form. But Ludwig gives him room to stretch beyond sarcasm. He plays a man who hides behind logic because emotion terrifies him — and the cracks in that armour appear slowly, subtly, beautifully.

It’s a career-smart pivot for Mitchell, showing he can anchor a drama as confidently as he commands a panel show.

A Series That Looks As Good As It Is

Visually, Ludwig is striking. The series leans into cold tones, sharp angles, and a near-claustrophobic aesthetic that mirrors the protagonist’s internal world. Scenes feel like puzzles themselves — ordered, structured, but always one step from unraveling.

The direction gives the series a polished confidence, and the pacing ensures every episode feels purposeful. Nothing drags. Every small detail matters. And in a show about a puzzle-maker, that’s exactly how it should be.

Is Ludwig Worth Watching? Absolutely.

The short answer: yes. The long answer: absolutely, unquestionably, and immediately yes.

Ludwig is witty without being showy, dark without losing heart, and clever without sacrificing entertainment. It’s a show that feels familiar in structure but radical in personality — the rare BBC series that can make you laugh, think, gasp, and cringe all in the space of a single scene.

Most importantly, it has a lead character you won’t forget anytime soon.

With new episodes already filmed and Series 2 on the way, viewers should settle in. This brilliantly bonkers detective is only just getting started.