Ludwig review: Is BBC’s new crime show with Anna Maxwell Martin worth watching?

As a seasoned gamer of both virtual worlds and the real one, I must say that David Mitchell from “Would I Lie to You?” may not have been my initial pick for a gritty detective, but he certainly fits the bill for the new age of cozy crime capers.

In a hypothetical scenario where we’re envisioning the ideal detective for an upcoming hard-boiled whodunit series, David Mitchell from “Would I Lie to You?” might not spring to mind first.

Instead of the usual gritty and troubled detective stories I’m used to, I find myself immersed in the comforting allure of a modern, charming crime adventure.

In a refreshing twist to the popular murder mystery genre, where the plot seems overly saturated with predictable deaths and simplistic investigations led by mild-mannered amateurs in overly sweet environments, Mitchell stands out as a far more authentic character.

In the series titled “Ludwig“, the character portrayed by him is John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, a solitary individual who might be neurodivergent and suffering from agoraphobia. He spends his days crafting puzzles for a living, earning him the nickname “the Elvis Presley of puzzle-setters”. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when his identical twin brother James mysteriously disappears.

In this scenario, John receives assistance from his sister-in-law Lucy, portrayed by Anna Maxwell Martin in a striking collection of autumn sweaters. However, as events unfold, things become somewhat peculiar – though don’t let that discourage you, for it fits perfectly with the tone of the series.

Lucy asks John to travel to Cambridge to help her execute a rather foolish plan: John is supposed to pretend to be his detective brother and visit the local police station. This way, he can sneak a peek around the office, grab his brother’s reliable notebook, and then make a quick escape.

As you may know, the saying goes that even the most carefully planned things can go awry. So it happened with John, who found himself unexpectedly drawn into investigating the scene of a slain lawyer due to circumstances beyond his control, where he being disguised as James. However, his knack for solving mysteries kicked in unintentionally and he ended up cracking the case. He shared this development rather sheepishly with Lucy over his old Nokia phone, saying something along the lines of “This is a bit awkward, actually. I think I might have just solved a murder.

Each week, a murder mystery unfolds with our unlikely detective, John. “How frequently do people get murdered in this area?” he inquires. Surprisingly, quite regularly, it seems, so he decides to employ his knack for solving puzzles. The crime locations vary from the traditional manor estate, the predictable office setting, to more unusual spots like a construction site and an intriguing Cambridge walking tour.

For those dabbling in detective work while watching Ludwig, there might be a letdown regarding one aspect: motives, alibis, distractions, and potential suspects hold little significance. The criminal remains an enigma until John reveals his methodology, which could involve a “spot the difference” challenge, a complex process of elimination, or even deciphering some code.

Although it’s not our job to solve the mystery, one might wonder why we should even attempt to do so in the first place. In a murder mystery novel, rest assured that the identity of the culprit will ultimately be revealed.

Instead of getting sidetracked by the larger mystery of where John’s brother James resides, these weekly cases are more captivating. Once we venture into their tedious childhood background, it’s easy to overlook. However, Mark Brotherhood’s script is delightful and complements Mitchell’s quirky performance perfectly. You’re in for a treat!

Mitchell, who shares a character trait similar to Mark from “Peep Show,” albeit less sarcastic and possessing the intellectual ability of Will Hunting, might otherwise be outshone by Maxwell Martin. However, he holds his own thanks to his hilarious comedic moments. He also pairs nicely with DI Carter, who wears a leather jacket, played by Dipo Ola.

In a series where humor takes precedence over drama, the length of each episode being an hour might seem excessive. However, since there are only six episodes, it avoids feeling overly prolonged. This show could potentially provide the greatest enjoyment from television viewing this fall.

Ludwig airs on BBC One from September 25 and is available to stream on iPlayer.

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2024-09-25 18:49