The only thing more inevitable than a second season of the smash hit comedy-drama "Ludwig" (9.5 million viewers) is the fact that John "Ludwig" Taylor (played by David Mitchell) can still be found making a genius problem solver of himself within the Cambridge Police Authority.
Here's how to watch "Ludwig" seaason 2 online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"Ludwig" season premieres on BBC One on Thursday, August 20 2026 at 9 p.m. BST.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• U.S. — Britbox (release date TBA)
• Watch anywhere — NordVPN (75% off + 3 months free)
This time, however, he is there as his socially-awkward self with a “proper job” as a Crime Scene Consultant and not just impersonating his identical twin James in a bid to resolve his mysterious disappearance.
He hasn’t given up the extra-curricular problem solving and is still being driven by his sister-in-law Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin) to find her husband, but he is now forbidden from using any police resources to complete the task that got him into this situation in the first place.
Will that stop him? Here’s a Ludwig-style clue. 5 Across: Refusal to take a gamble. Answer: No chance.
If you love watching “impossible” crimes solved, read on to find out how to watch "Ludwig" season 2 online for free, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch 'Ludwig' season 2 for free in the U.K.
"Ludwig" season 2 will return to BBC on August 20 and you can watch all episodes for free on BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'Ludwig' season 2 from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), the second season of "Ludwig" will be available to Brits no matter where they are in the world. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select "United Kingdom" from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer and watch "Ludwig" season 2 episodes online and on-demand for free.
Can I watch 'Ludwig' season 2 in the U.S.?
"Ludwig" season 2 will be available on BritBox in the U.S., but right now we have no confirmation on dates.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation you can catch the show for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN to unblock BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'Ludwig' season 2 in the U.K.
In the U.K., "Ludwig" season 2 premieres on Thursday, 20 August 2026 on BBC One at 9.p.m. BST (4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT).
All episodes will be available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, with the first three arriving on the day of the premiere and the remaining three released in September..
Don't forget that you'll need an account with a U.K. postcode (e.g. SE1 7PB) and a valid TV license.
If you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Ludwig' season 2 in Canada?
As with the U.S. there are no plans to air "Ludwig" season 2 in Canada yet. When it does arrive we expect it to land on BritBox.
Remember: Those from Blighty in Canada for work or vacation can still catch season 2 for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Ludwig' season 2 in Australia?
There's no release date for "Ludwig" season 2 in Australia just yet, meaning you might have to wait a while for new episodes to join the first season on 7Plus.
If you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under, you can catch season 2 by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Ludwig' season 2 in New Zealand?
No, not yet. TVNZ+ will broadcast "Ludwig" season 2 for free, but right now we don't have a confirmed release date.
Traveling from Britain to New Zealand? Access your "Ludwig" stream with NordVPN.
'Ludwig' season 2: Need to Know
'Ludwig' season 2 first look
'Ludwig' season 2 cast list
- David Mitchell – John "Ludwig" Taylor / James Taylor
- Anna Maxwell Martin – Lucy Betts-Taylor
- Dipo Ola – DCI Russell Carter
- Dorothy Atkinson – DCS Carol Shaw
- Ralph Ineson – Chief Constable Ziegler
- Karl Pilkington – DI Matt Neville
- Dylan Hughes – Henry Betts-Taylor
- Mark Bonnar – Gareth Fisher
- Sian Clifford – Joanne Kemper
- Ben Ashenden – DC Ethan Cole
- Rumi Sutton – DC Caitlin Sullivan
Will there be a season 3 of "Ludwig"?
Yes. The BBC has officially renewed "Ludwig" for Season 3 ahead of Season 2's release. David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin will reprise their roles, with another six episodes planned. While an exact premiere date hasn't been announced, the new season is expected to air in 2027.
David Mitchell says: "I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries. I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app."
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "The Other Bennet Sister", "I Kissed a Girl", "The Assembly", "This Town", "The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth", "The Reckoning", "Navalny" and "The Stones and Brian Jones".
More from Tom's Guide
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing
