ABC Orders Pilot for 'Rabbit,' a U.S. Remake of British Hit 'Ludwig'
ABC has ordered a pilot for 'Rabbit,' a U.S. adaptation of the British comedy drama 'Ludwig.' The project is produced by 20th Television and developed by Megan Ganz, Humphrey Ker, Jon Steinberg, and Dan Shotz. The original series, starring David Mitchell, became the most-watched scripted show in the UK in 2026, with its second season premiere drawing over 9 million viewers. 'Rabbit' follows a similar premise but is set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where a reclusive puzzle writer poses as his missing twin brother to infiltrate the local police department. The series is part of a recent trend of American networks remaking successful European formats, following recent adaptations of British and Italian shows on Fox and CBS.
Key points
- ABC has handed a pilot order to 'Rabbit,' a U.S. remake of the BBC series 'Ludwig.'
- The original 'Ludwig' became the most-watched scripted show in the UK in 2026, with its second season premiere attracting over 9 million viewers.
- 'Rabbit' is produced by 20th Television and developed by Megan Ganz, Humphrey Ker, Jon Steinberg, and Dan Shotz.
- The plot follows Mark, a reclusive puzzle writer in Cambridge, MA, who poses as his missing twin brother to investigate his disappearance at the local police station.
- Megan Ganz and Humphrey Ker will write and executive produce the series, alongside Jon Steinberg and Dan Shotz.
- David Mitchell, Mark Brotherhood, and Kenton Allen will serve as executive producers on the adaptation.
Background
The original 'Ludwig' series, created by Mark Brotherhood and produced by ITV-owned Big Talk, launched in the UK in 2024. It has since been renewed for a third season and a Christmas special by the BBC, with its return scheduled for BritBox on October 13. The success of 'Ludwig' in the UK has prompted interest in adapting the format for the U.S. market, joining a wave of recent remakes of international series by major American networks.
Why it matters
The pilot order for 'Rabbit' signals continued interest in adapting successful international formats for U.S. audiences, a strategy that has yielded hits like 'Best Medicine' and 'Einstein.' The strong performance of 'Ludwig' in the UK, particularly its 2026 viewership numbers, provides a proven audience base for the remake. The involvement of established creators like Megan Ganz and Jon Steinberg suggests a high level of production value and creative oversight for the adaptation.
What to watch
The next steps for 'Rabbit' will likely involve casting the lead role and finalizing the pilot script. The success of the pilot will determine whether ABC orders a full series. Meanwhile, the original 'Ludwig' will continue its run in the UK, with its third season and Christmas special expected to maintain its popularity.
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