David Mitchell has revealed the hidden references to Agatha Christie in his new BBC show Ludwig.
The new murder mystery, which stars David, 50, is set to hit BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday.
In the new series, David plays John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, an introverted and reclusive puzzle setter.
Against his better judgement, he is dragged into an exciting adventure after his identical twin brother goes missing.
He is recruited by his sister-in-law (played by Anna Maxwell Martin) and the two start the hunt to find him.
David Mitchell has revealed the hidden references to Agatha Christie in his new BBC show Ludwig which airs on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday ta 9pm
The Peep Show actor explained that he create the perfect blend of lighthearted comedic mystery by emulating mystery writer Agatha Christie (pictured)
In the new series, David plays John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, an introverted and reclusive puzzle setter
The show sees David’s character impersonate his police detective twin brother in order to find out more about his disappearance.
But in a shock turn of events, he excels at solving crime and soon becomes absorbed into his brother’s life.
David told The Radio Times at a recent Q&A that he’s always enjoyed murder mysteries.
He said: ‘Some of my happiest viewing memories are as a child watching Miss Marple with Joan Hickson – I mean, she was in it, she wasn’t in the room – and Inspector Morse, and that sort of thing. I love that kind of program.’
He added that he put a comic spin on his tale to add some levity after revealing he didn’t like watching things that were too gritty.
He said: ‘I don’t love watching things that are horrific and gritty and sort of remind you of the frailty of the human life.’
He explained that he achieved this by emulating Agatha Christie and that his latest show is littered with references to her stories.
David revealed that he used one of the writer’s greatest tricks.
In Ludwig, the actor explained that the person that’amurdered is never seen and as a result the audience isn’t invested in them which allows the story to be more lighthearted.
He is recruited by his sister-in-law (played by Anna Maxwell Martin) after his detective twin brother goes missing and the two start the hunt to find him
The show sees David’s character impersonate his police detective twin brother in order to find out more about his disappearance but it also reveals he’s very good at solving crimes
The Upstart Crow star said he was inspired after watching Miss Marple when he was younger, revealing he loved detective shows (pictured Joan Hickson as Miss Marple)
He added that all Agatha Christie stories are puzzles and to honour the queen of the murder mystery David ensured that Ludwig used her winning formula.
However, the twist with the actor’s latest comedy is that in each episode he’ll have to solve a murder AS his twin brother, while also investigating his disappearance.
The Peep Show star added that playing his character’s twin meant that he had the added comic element of being a fish out of water but going unnoticed.
He explained that it worked so well because he looks identical to someone who should be there.
David said: ‘It gives tremendous comic scope, and I thought that was a great idea. And I loved the thought that it would be a weekly murder thing.
‘So you get the overarching narrative, but you also get the reward of a puzzle, a murder each week. So I thought it was a great idea.
The Upstart Crow actor revealed that he first came across the idea before Covid and said he immediately found it ‘funny and intriguing’ but wasn’t able to work on it until after the end of the pandemic.
The comedian and panel show host said he was completely gripped by the script when he first read it and said each episode was a ‘page turner’.
The panel show host revealed he ‘loved’ watching Inspector Morse (pictured) growing up as a child and called them his fondest childhood memories
David also revealed he hopes his show will make viewers laugh after explaining he didn’t like watching things that were too gritty
And in a nod to Agatha Christie he has made each episode a self-contained murder mystery with a comic aspect
Anna, who also stars in the show, has undergone quite the transformation to play David’s sister-in-law.
The Line Of Duty actress, 47, will play Lucy Betts-Taylor in the six-part detective series.
And the Motherland star swapped her blonde locks for a short brunette bob with minimal makeup.
Derek Jacobi, Felicity Kendal, Rose, Karl Pilington, Allan Mustafa, Paul Chahidi and Hammed Animashaun are among the guest stars in the series.
Ludwig will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on Wednesday 25th September.