It's been a long wait, but finally David Mitchell's comedic detective series Ludwig is back for season 2.
This time around, his master puzzle-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor is working as an official crime scene consultant, solving seemingly impossible murders alongside Dipo Ola's DCI Russell Carter.
However, with his identical twin brother James still missing, John and his sister-in-law Lucy, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, are continuing the investigation into just what actually happened to him.
Alongside Mitchell, Martin and Ola, season 2 also sees the return of Dorothy Atkinson and Ralph Ineson, while some big names join the cast in new roles.
But who else stars in the series and who do they all play? Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Ludwig.
Below is the main line-up for Ludwig, which is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Read on to find out more about the cast and characters.
David Mitchell as John 'Ludwig' Taylor and James TaylorAnna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-TaylorDipo Ola as DI Russell CarterBen Ashenden as DC Ethan ColeRumi Sutton as DC Caitlin SullivanDylan Hughes as Henry Betts-TaylorDorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol ShawRalph Ineson as Chief Constable ZieglerMark Bonnar as Gareth FisherSian Clifford as Joanne KemperKarl Pilkington as DI Matt NevilleSeason 1 characters
Gerran Howell as DC Simon EvansIzuka Hoyle as DS Alice FinchSophie Willan as Holly PinderDavid Mitchell plays John 'Ludwig' Taylor and James Taylor
Who is John 'Ludwig' Taylor? John is a reclusive puzzle setter who goes by the name of Ludwig in his professional life. When his brother James went missing, he reluctantly started to impersonate him to find out the truth about his disappearance, and solved a few murders along the way. At the end of season 1, DI Russell Carter and DCS Carol Shaw found out the truth but covered it up and hired John as an official crime scene consultant.
Who is James Taylor? James is John's brother, an accomplished detective with a wife and son. When he went missing in season 1, John stepped into his life. The mystery of exactly what happened to him remains.
Where have I seen David Mitchell before? Mitchell is perhaps best known for playing Mark Corrigan in Peep Show, and for his team captain role on Would I Lie to You?.
He has also appeared in series such as That Mitchell and Webb Look, Ambassadors and Back alongside his comedy partner Robert Webb, and has had other roles in shows such as Upstart Crow, Doctor Who and The Cleaner, and hosted the comedy game show Outsiders.
Anna Maxwell Martin plays Lucy Betts-Taylor
Who is Lucy Betts-Taylor? Lucy is James's wife, who has known both James and John since they were all children together. She recruits John to help her find out what happened to James.
Where have I seen Anna Maxwell Martin before? Martin has had roles in series including Motherland, Bleak House, Doctor Who, Line of Duty, Code 404, A Spy Among Friends, Good Omens, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Until I Kill You and Star City.
She has also had roles in films including Becoming Jane, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Philomena, The Personal History of David Copperfield, The Duke and Heartstopper Forever.
Dipo Ola plays DI Russell Carter
Who is DI Russell Carter? Russell is a DI at the Cambridge police force, who was James's partner at the time of his disappearance. He ended up working side by side with John, unaware that he's an imposter. Now, he has become aware, and the duo are working together to keep John's secrets.
Where have I seen Dipo Ola before? Ola has had roles in series including Inside No. 9, Baghdad Central, COBRA, Landscapers, We Hunt Together and McDonald & Dodds.
Ben Ashenden plays DC Ethan Cole
Who is DC Ethan Cole? Ethan is a new DC in the Cambridge police department.
Where have I seen Ben Ashenden before? Ashenden has had roles in series including Stath Lets Flats, 1899, Hijack, Ghosts, Renegade Nell, Black Mirror and Bait, as well as films such as Bridget Jones's Baby, Jurassic World: Dominion, What's Love Got to Do With It, Deep Cover and Wicker.
Rumi Sutton plays DC Caitlin Sullivan
Who is DC Caitlin Sullivan? Caitlin is a new DC in the Cambridge police department.
Where have I seen Rumi Sutton before? Sutton has had roles in series including Casualty, Daddy Issues and After the Flood.
Dylan Hughes plays Henry Betts-Taylor
Who is Henry Betts-Taylor? Henry is James and Lucy's son, and John's nephew.
Where have I seen Dylan Hughes before? Hughes has previously appeared in Malory Towers, Maternal and Death by Lightning.
Dorothy Atkinson plays DCS Carol Shaw
Who is DCS Carol Shaw? Carol heads up the police force in Cambridge. She knows that John was pretending to be James in season 1, and is desperate to keep that hidden.
Where have I seen Dorothy Atkinson before? Atkinson has had roles in series including London's Burning, Call the Midwife, Harlots, Strike, Mum, All Creatures Great and Small, Magpie Murders, Pistol, Pennyworth, Without Sin, Stonehouse, The Gold, The Long Shadow, Inside No. 9, Joan and Agatha Christie's Seven Dials.
She has also had roles in films such as Mr Turner, The Mercy, Peterloo, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain and Saltburn.
Ralph Ineson plays Chief Constable Ziegler
Who is Chief Constable Ziegler? Ziegler is the imposing chief constable of Cambridge police.
Where have I seen Ralph Ineson before? Ineson has had roles in series including Playing the Field, The Office, Waterloo Road, Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, Chernobyl, The Capture, Trigger Point, Willow, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Gallows Pole and The Jetty.
He has also had film roles in The Damned United, the last three Harry Potter films, Guardians of the Galaxy, Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Witch, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Ready Player One, The Green Knight, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Northman, Catherine Called Birdy, The Creator, The First Omen, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Nosferatu and Frankenstein.
Mark Bonnar plays Gareth Fisher
Who is Gareth Fisher? Gareth is the editor of the local advertiser paper, and a huge fan of Ludwig's puzzles, who starts working with Lucy.
Where have I seen Mark Bonnar before? Bonnar is known for his roles in series such as Casualty, Line of Duty, Shetland, Catastrophe, Humans, Apple Tree Yard, Porridge, Doctor Who, Litvinenko, The Rig, Guilt, World on Fire, Murder is Easy, Inside No. 9, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth and Dept. Q, as well as films including Napoleon.
Sian Clifford plays Joanne Kemper
Who is Joanne Kemper? Joanne is the MP for Cambridge. Lines of inquiry that John and Lucy are following appear to lead to her.
Where have I seen Sian Clifford before? Clifford has had notable roles in series including Vanity Fair, Fleabag, Liar, Quiz, Inside No. 9, The Suspect, His Dark Materials, Doctor Who, Unstable, Everyone Else Burns, Bait and The Miniature Wife, as well as films such as The Duke, See How They Run, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Lady and Mother Mary.
Karl Pilkington plays DI Matt Neville
Who is DI Matt Neville? Matt was James's partner at the Cambridge police department.
Where have I seen Karl Pilkington before? Pilkington originally became known for appearing on podcast series The Ricky Gervais Show, while he has since acted in series including Extras, Cemetery Junction, Derek, Sick of It, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe and Rain Dogs.
Gerran Howell plays DC Simon Evans
Who is DC Simon Evans? Simon was the youngest member of the team at the police force, who lived at home with his mother. He has since left the Cambridge team.
Where have I seen Gerran Howell before? Howell has previously appeared in series including Young Dracula, The Sparticle Mystery, Emerald City, This Country, Suspicion and McDonald & Dodds, as well as films such as 1917. Since starring in Ludwig he has gone on to have roles in Out There and The Pitt.
Izuka Hoyle plays DS Alice Finch
Who is DS Alice Finch? Alice was an ambitious, no-nonsense detective and DCS Carol Shaw's protege. She has since left the Cambridge team.
Where have I seen Izuka Hoyle before? Hoyle is known for her roles in series including Clique, The Outpost, The Wheel of Time, Big Boys, Boiling Point and The Responder, as well as in films such as Persuasion and The Outrun. Since starring in Ludwig, Hoyle has gone on to have roles in Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and Prisoner.
Sophie Willan plays Holly Pinder
Who is Holly Pinder? Holly was an IT technician at the police force. She was killed at the end of season 1.
Where have I seen Sophie Willan before? Comedian and actor Willan has had acting roles in projects including Click & Collect, Still Open All Hours, Alma's Not Normal and Time, while she also starred in comedy competition show Taskmaster. Since her role in Ludwig, Willian has gone on to have a role in Small Prophets.
Ludwig season 2 will be on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 20 August 2026, and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from the same date.
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