LUDWIG LOOKS SET FOR FIRST CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON BBC ONE

Hit BBC comedy drama Ludwig looks set to have its first ever Christmas special on BBC One later this year.

Whilst there has been no official confirmation, listings seen by TV Zone suggest a "Christmas Special" was filmed alongside its second series earlier this year. The BBC declined to comment when approached by TV Zone.

Meanwhile, ahead of the second series launch later this month, the broadcaster has also commissioned a third series. The series is a Big Talk Studios (part of ITV Studios) production in association with That Mitchell And Webb Company and is a ZDF co-production for Germany.

Series one was the biggest launch for a comedy on the BBC since at least 2018, attracting 9.5 million viewers (28-day figure), episode one has continued to accrue viewing outside of 28 days, now up to 11.8 million.

Starring David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin the smash hit six-part detective series is created and written by Mark Brotherhood and produced by Big Talk Studios in collaboration with That Mitchell and Webb Company.

David Mitchell will return as ‘Ludwig', alongside Anna Maxwell Martin as Lucy Betts-Taylor, the wife of John’s missing brother James. David Mitchell says: “I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries. I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app.”

Kenton Allen, Executive Producer and CEO Big Talk Studios, says: “Ludwig has become one of those rare shows that genuinely cuts through — critically, commercially and internationally. We’re hugely grateful to the BBC, ZDF and ITV Studios for the confidence they’ve shown in greenlighting a third season ahead of the launch of series two.

“What Mark Brotherhood has created is brilliantly original, hugely entertaining and deceptively distinctive in the way it blends smart comedy with a richly satisfying detective engine. At the heart of that success is the remarkable partnership between David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, brought to life by an exceptional creative team. In a crowded global market, for audiences to have embraced Ludwig on this scale feels incredibly special. There’s clearly nothing puzzling about that.”

Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, says: “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. The team at Big Talk have crafted something truly distinctive and much-loved, and we’re excited to see what mysteries Ludwig tackles next.”

The second series of Ludwig airs from Thursday 20th August on BBC One.