"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Anthony Minghella

Writers (WGA):

Richard Curtis (teleplay) &
Anthony Minghella (teleplay) ...

TV Series:

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (2008)

Original Air Date:

23 March 2008 (Season 1, Episode 0)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Family | Mystery

Plot:

A Botswanan woman starts up the country's first female-owned detective agency. Based on the series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith.

Plot Keywords:

Infidelity | Cattle | Blood Transfusion | Kidnapping | Imposter

Cast

Jill Scott	...	Precious Ramotswe
Anika Noni Rose	...	Grace Makutsi
Lucian Msamati	...	JLB Matekoni
Nikki Amuka-Bird	...	Alice Busang (as Nikki Amuka Bird)
Desmond Dube	...	BK
Tumisho Masha	...	Lucky Sesana
Bongeka Mpongwana	...	Happy Bapetsi
David Oyelowo	...	Kremlin Busang
John Kani	...	Daddy Bapetsi
Vusi Kunene	...	Doctor Gulubane
Harriet Lenabe	...	Mma Notshi (as Harriet Manamela)
Colin Salmon	...	Note Makoti
Idris Elba	...	Charlie Gotso
Lindani Nkosi	...	Hector Lepodise
Vasco Shoba	...	Obed Ramotswe

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

UK | South Africa | Botswana | USA

Language:

Tswana | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Gaborone, South-East District, Botswana

Company:

Film Afrika Worldwide

Trivia:

Grammy Award winning singer, Jill Scott, eventually won the role of Precious Ramotswe over American actresses Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Queen Latifah, and 18 African women considered for the lead

Soundtrack:

Ntyilo Ntyilo

Out of Africa

I came this with no knowledge of the books, so was open minded. Most of my expectations where bases on the broadcast time. With the Sunday evening broadcast slot on the British terrestrial channels normally reserved for shows of a gentle nature with a good level of quality, The 'Morses' of this world. Well this did not disappoint I thought it was well directed (what more would you expect from the now sadly departed Anthony Minghella). The direction naturally focused on the lush African landscapes but also has some lovely shots of the cast. Not knowing the books I do not know how the show compares but sometimes that is a favourable state of mind for these things as fans are almost always disappointed. I thought Jill Scott was very good in the lead role and was ably supported by a great cast. Special praise must go to the always excellent Idris Elba and David Oyelowo. Now I know that this has been commissioned as series I do hope there is a chance for recurring roles for their characters, especially that of Idris Elba whom really deserves recognition in the UK (The Wire really needs more exposure in the UK). All in all this has the potential to be some quality viewing for some time to come.