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Ludwig confirms Christmas special with David Mitchell – as Poirot legend joins star-studded cast
A Christmassy clash of TV detectives awaits this festive season.
BBC / Big Talk Studios / Amanda Searle
- David Craig
Published: Wednesday, 2 September 2026 at 7:30 pm
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Ludwig will return for a special festive episode this Christmas, which sees David Mitchell's puzzle-solving expert on a case with an all-star list of suspects, including one of British TV's most iconic detectives.
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Former Poirot star Sir David Suchet, who enjoyed a stellar 24-year run as Agatha Christie's moustachioed sleuth, will guest star in the 60-minute episode, billed as a "locked-room murder mystery".
The story begins with John, Lucy and Henry heading to a "Christmas-themed hotel for what should have been a much-needed escape", but a "sudden blackout" provides cover for a lethal plot to unfold.
"Trapped by a blizzard and cut off from the outside world, the guests must spend the night with a killer in their midst," the synopsis teases. "With John reluctantly pulled into one of his strangest puzzles yet, the race is on for the Taylors to solve the crime before Christmas."
In addition to Suchet, the Ludwig Christmas special also features Jason Flemyng (Trigger Point), Joe Wilkinson (Celebrity Traitors), Cathy Tyson (Blue Lights), Alexandra Roach (Nightsleeper) and Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Ghosts).
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Rebekah Staton (Criminal Record), Claire Price (The Capture), George Rainsford (Casualty) and newcomer Ariella Glaser complete the ensemble, alongside regulars Mitchell (John/Ludwig), Anna Maxwell Martin (Lucy), Dylan Hughes (Henry) and Dipo Ola (DCI Carter).
Mitchell commented: "I have long been a huge admirer of Sir David Suchet's work and have watched every episode of Poirot several times, so it was a dream come true for me when he agreed to appear in the Ludwig Christmas Special.
"He was an absolute joy to work and spend time with - funny, interesting and generous - and his performance in the programme is wonderful."
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Suchet added: "It was an absolute pleasure to work alongside David Mitchell and the wonderful ensemble cast. It made quite the refreshing change to be playing a suspect rather than the detective, and to sit comfortably in my armchair while David delivered the denouement. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time."
The Ludwig Christmas special is written by series creator Mark Brotherhood and directed by Chris Foggin, who is also currently working on the confirmed third season of the hit comedy-drama.
The acclaimed second season is currently midway through its run, with the concluding episodes scheduled for release on BBC iPlayer next week.
Ludwig is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. New episodes arrive on Thursday 10 September.
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Authors
David CraigSenior Drama Writer
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
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