BBC and BritBox have packed a massive punch for crime fiction fans, releasing a slate of first-look trailers and teasers for some of the UK’s most anticipated crime titles. Leading the pack is the highly expected second season of the crime-comedy drama Ludwig, starring David Mitchell as puzzle creator John “Ludwig” Taylor, alongside gripping first looks at the return of Liverpudlian crime drama This City Is Ours and the real-time investigative hit Murder 24/7.
Following a breakout debut that became the the channel’s biggest comedy launch since 2018, the series is set to return later this year with new mysteries. Anna Maxwell Martin reprises her role alongside Mitchell, while Mark Bonnar and Sian Clifford join the cast as new series regulars.
Produced by Big Talk Studios, the series blends classic detective storytelling with puzzle-solving intrigue, making it one of the U.K.’s most distinctive contemporary crime dramas.
Watch the teaser here:
More Crime Highlights from the BBC’s 2026 Slate
Alongside the Ludwig teaser, the BBC has also shared a glimpse of other highly anticipated crime and factual programming returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year:
- This City Is Ours (Season 2): The hit Liverpudlian crime drama is back. Having barely arrived in Spain, the second season sees protagonists Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and Diana (Hannah Onslow) pulled straight back into the fold as they are forced to answer critical questions surrounding Ricardo’s death.
- Murder 24/7 (Season 3): Moving to BBC One and iPlayer for its third installment, this real-time factual crime series follows murder investigations from multiple perspectives. Filmed with the West Mercia Police in the Midlands, the series tracks every minute lead and decision, from the critical first hours of an investigation right through to arrests and convictions.
Source: BBC
