David Mitchell Stars in BBC’s New Comedy Thriller ‘Ludwig’

David Mitchell takes on the role of Ludwig, a character intricately devised as “the Elvis Presley of puzzle-setters,” in the BBC One series ‘Ludwig’, crafted by Mark Brotherwood. The comedy thriller, set in Cambridge, explores the genre with a fresh take. Ludwig is portrayed as an emotionally repressed character, living out of sync with modern times, and embodying an intriguing blend of detective work and puzzle-solving.

The plot unfolds as Ludwig assumes the identity of his missing twin brother, a police detective, spurred on by his sister-in-law Lucy, played by Anna Maxwell Martin. This leads to a series of humorous misadventures that gradually elaborate into a larger mystery involving his brother’s disappearance. The show features notable actors such as Derek Jacobi and Felicity Kendall, offering them intriguing guest spots.

In the realm of reality TV, Channel 4 returns with ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’, featuring journalist Rachel Johnson. The show, known for its rigorous special forces training regimen, has reportedly decided to exclude politicians in its current lineup, marking a shift in its casting trend. Rachel Johnson openly acknowledges her involvement and details some of her experiences, particularly highlighting her navigations within the challenges presented by the show.

On the international stage, ‘Surviving October 7: We Will Dance Again’ debuted on BBC One, directed by Yariv Mozer. This documentary retells the horrific narrative of the massacre at the Nova music festival in Israel by Hamas on October 7 last year, where 364 individuals perished. The documentary is a haunting collage of survivor interviews, phone footage, and chilling body camera material from the perpetrators, providing a stark portrayal of the event.

BBC Three‘s ‘Small Town, Big Riot’, a two-part docuseries by Mobeen Azhar, investigates the 2023 Kirkby disorder linked to a protest outside a hotel housing asylum-seekers. Azhar aims to dissect the seemingly “spontaneous” unrest, delving into misinformation and far-right influences that aggravated the situation. The series offers a compelling narrative on how local incidents can be amplified by external forces, underlining a broader social commentary.

Meanwhile, in fiction, ‘Apples Never Fall’, based on Liane Moriarty‘s bestseller, features Annette Bening and Sam Neill. The series navigates the complex dynamics within a family, with themes of suspicion and emotional turmoil taking center stage. Despite its occasionally dated feel, the performances by Bening and Neill promise a captivating viewing experience.