Ludwig

John Taylor lives a deliberately quiet life, making a living by designing puzzles and publishing them under the pen name 'Ludwig'. When his identical twin brother James vanishes without explanation, John assumes James's identity to follow the faintest leads and keep the inquiry tight. Pretending to be someone else pushes him into awkward social situations, police questioning, and unexpected alliances with James's friends and colleagues. As he pieces together clues, his methodical mind meets the messy realities of other people's lives. His puzzle-making skills help him notice small contradictions in witness accounts, and he also struggles with the strange intimacy and grief that come from living as his sibling. The series balances mystery, crime, dry comedy, and interpersonal drama without giving away its core twists.

Released in 2024, Ludwig was created by Mark Brotherhood and stars David Mitchell in the twin roles, with Anna Maxwell Martin, Dipo Ola, Gerran Howell, and Izuka Hoyle in key supporting parts, and it attracted immediate attention for its lead performance.

Critics and viewers have responded positively, reflected in a 7.635/10 vote average from 89 ratings. Many reviews highlight the show's sharp tonal mix of deadpan humor and police procedural detail, and its focus on identity, sibling bonds, and moral ambiguity, with puzzles serving as a recurring structural motif that guides episode plotting.

Though still recent, Ludwig prompted online discussion about identity and ethics, and puzzle enthusiasts have appreciated its attention to design detail. David Mitchell's dual performance has been a frequent talking point on social media, and fans have shared theories about small recurring clues and character motives across episodes.

As of now Ludwig has not gathered major industry awards, but reviewers often single out Mitchell's range and Mark Brotherhood's scripts. The series has earned spots in critics' roundups of notable new dramas, and its blend of humor and mystery makes it a likely candidate for future festival or television season attention.