Ludwig is as sharp as it is cuddly, its bobbly pullover concealing a script (by series creator Mark Brotherhood) that revels in wordplay and the infinite micro-horrors of social awkwardness. Best of all is the ever-expanding friendship between John and the gloriously direct Lucy, who has finally and rightly been elevated from underused supporting character to giddily eccentric co-lead.

The script is cracking, David Mitchell is great, and the supporting performances are faultless.

Some excellent guest stars feel slightly wasted on occasionally anaemic characterisation. .... It is the wider conspiracy that holds our interest and keeps this ticking.

How you feel about Ludwig series two will depend on how you felt about Ludwig series one, not to mention your mileage for cosy crime more generally.