After two years, BBC cosy crime drama Ludwig is back for a second outing.

Created by Mark Brotherhood, the first season followed reclusive, famous puzzle setter named John Taylor aka Ludwig taking on an insurmountable task.

At the behest of his sister-in-law Lucy, John impersonated his missing police inspector twin brother in a bid to uncover the truth about what happened.

Although the show is back, it is without some of its cast members.

Izuka Hoyle and Gerran Howell – who played DS Alice Finch and DC Simon Evans respectively – are both absent this time round.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at who is in Ludwig season two.

Who’s returned?

David Mitchell

Comedian and actor David Mitchell reprises the lead role of puzzle master John Taylor – also known by his pseudonym Ludwig.

In the first season, John reluctantly impersonated his missing twin brother, DCI James Taylor, simultaneously investigating his disappearance and solving murders in Cambridge.

Mitchell also briefly portrayed James in the final episode.

The star’s other major credits include Peep Show, Back, Upstart Crow, in addition to comedy work alongside Robert Webb.

He has also been a team captain on panel show Would I Lie To You since its 2007 debut.

Anna Maxwell Martin

Anna Maxwell Martin reprises her role as Lucy Betts-Taylor, John’s sister-in-law and James’ wife.

Lucy was the one who enlisted John to pose as James at the police station, while also carrying out her own investigation.

Martin is well known for her lead role as Julia Johnstone in Motherland.

Her other major credits include Line Of Duty, Until I Kill You and Code 404.

Dipo Ola

Dipo Ola returns as the newly promoted DCI Russell Carter.

As it happens, Russell is the only member of the core police team to return for season two.

It comes after he was tricked into thinking John was DCI Taylor for most of season one.

Other than Ludwig, Ola has also appeared in COBRA, We Hunt Together and McDonald & Dodds.

Dorothy Atkinson

Dorothy Atkinson returns to play DCS Carol Shaw.

By the end of season one, she is the most senior member of Cambridge Police to know John’s secret – and is determined to keep it that way.

Viewers may also recognise Atkinson from Call The Midwife, London Burning, Mum and Harlots.

In 2021, she played Diana Brompton in Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small.

Ralph Ineson

Ralph Ineson reprises his role as the intimidating Chief Constable Ziegler.

The ever-sharp Ziegler is perhaps the biggest obstacle John faced while pretending to be James.

He also happens to be Russell Carter’s father-in-law – being the father of Russell’s late wife.

While Ziegler seems a protagonist, Ineson is a reliable actor for playing villains.

He has appeared as such in Fantastic Four: The First Steps, Game of Thrones and the last two Harry Potter films.

Dylan Hughes

Dylan Hughes rounds out the returning cast members as Henry Betts-Taylor, John’s nephew.

In season one, Henry assisted John and his mother Lucy in investigating James’ disappearance – even if the latter didn’t always agree.

Hughes’ other projects include Maternal, Death by Lightning and Malory Towers.

Who’s new to the cast?

Mark Bonnar

Mark Bonnar joins the cast as newspaper editor Gareth Fisher.

He crosses paths with Lucy in season two – and is soon left exasperated by her.

Veteran actor Bonnar has appeared in projects including Line Of Duty, Shetland, Casualty and Guilt, to name a few.

In 2020, he appeared in ITV drama Quiz, which dramatised the infamous coughing scandal on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

He also starred in the debut series of BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors.

Sian Clifford

Sian Clifford enters the world of Ludwig as mysterious MP Joanne Kemper.

John is swiftly suspicious of her – but does he have good reason to be?

Like co-star Mark Bonnar, Clifford also had a major role in Quiz.

Her other projects include Fleabag, Vanity Fair and Everyone Else Burns.

Rumi Sutton

Rumi Sutton portrays DC Caitlin Sullivan, one of two new police officers in the new season.

She is currently unaware of John’s secret deception last season, but could Caitlin eventually learn this?

Prior to Ludwig, Sutton appeared in such projects as Casualty, Mutiny and After The Flood.

Ben Ashenden

Completing season 2’s regular cast is comedian and writer Ben Ashenden.

He plays DC Ethan Cole – who, like DC Sullivan, is in the dark about John’s secret.

Ashenden has appeared in hit series including Black Mirror, Ghosts and Intelligence.

He also co-wrote the BBC comedy Bills Included – which stars David Mitchell’s Would I Lie To You colleague Rob Brydon.

And who else?

Guest stars throughout the series include Stephen Merchant, Gary Beadle, Doon Mackichan, Rebecca Front and Michael Wildman.

Other names popping up include Rory Douglas-Speed, Michelle Greenidge and Tony Jayawardena.