Cambridge. A puzzle master. An assumed identity. And a dose of humor. Paired with a side of solving murders as one’s new occupation while becoming accustomed to living a new life quite different than your own.

Ludwig is a new cozy mystery series that debuted on BritBox earlier this year. Having premiered in the UK last year, it is John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor played by David Mitchell who brings the subtle humor while also trying to figure out where his missing twin brother James has vanished to.

A puzzle creator by trade, and preference as solitude and living on his own is his typical modus operandi, John’s puzzle pseudonym is Ludwig (yep, inspired by Ludwig von Beethoven – you will hear a variety of Beethoven’s nine symphonies throughout each of the episodes), but when he is asked by his brother James’ wife Lucy (played by Anna Maxwell Martin of The Bletchley Circle) to help find James, who has gone missing, he reluctantly arrives in Cambridge and begins to impersonate James at his place of work – the local police station as the Detective Inspector no less.

With six episodes in the first season, the conclusion drops tomorrow, Thursday April 17th on BritBox. With each episode, both the over-arching mystery looms – where is James? – and a singular murder is solved by Ludwig/John in his new position as a police detective with the help of a likable cast of characters, Dipo Ola plays Taylor’s partner DI Russell Carter, Gerran Howell plays the determined to please and ever impressionable DC Simon Evans and Izuka Hoyle plays DC Alice Finch who is constantly hoping for a scandalous, most difficult crime to solve. Along with the reoccurring cast, favorite British actors have significant parts in the minor murder mysteries that carry each episode – Derek Jacobi, Felicity Kendal and Ella Mae Bruccoleri.

Having watched all but the final episode, I am hooked, and am delighted to share that the show has been renewed for a second season by BBC One. Look for that season to debut in the UK later this year and then come to the states in spring or fall of 2026. But for now, we have season one, and it is a treat. Have a look at the trailer below to get a taste of the sleuthing and comedy all wrapped up into one.

Ludwig was chosen as the Petit Plaisir for episode #402 of The Simple Sophisticate podcast, How to Keep Ourselves Healthy – Mind and Body – for the Rest of Our Lives (specifically for perimenopausal and beyond, but for all ages too)

~Explore all of TSLL’s Petits Plaisirs here in the Archives.