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

A woman opens her own detective agency in Botswana.

Stars:

Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose, Lucian Msamati

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jill Scott	...	Precious Ramotswe (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Anika Noni Rose	...	Grace Makutsi (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Lucian Msamati	...	JLB Matekoni (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Desmond Dube	...	BK (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Thabo Malema	...	Charlie (5 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tau Maserumule	...	Fanwell (5 episodes, 2008-2009)
Lebogang Motubudi	...	Richard Makutsi (4 episodes, 2009)
Harish Patel	...	Mr. Patel (3 episodes, 2009)
Brenda Ngxoli	...	Florence Peko (3 episodes, 2009)
Dipshika Mahajan	...	Nandira Patel (3 episodes, 2009)
Mosako Mogara	...	Wellington (3 episodes, 2009)
Kgomotso Delia Tshwenyego	...	Rose (3 episodes, 2008-2009)

Storyline

After her father's death, sensible and cheerful Mma Precious Ramotswe sells her inherited cattle and opens the country's only female-owned detective agency. She hires Botswana Secretarial College graduate (97% in the final exams!) Grace Makutsi as her assistant. Together they solve problems big and small with their wisdom, big hearts, and endless cups of red-bush tea. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe's best friend, mechanic Mr. JLB Matekoni, hopes for a chance to win her heart... Based on Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling book series.

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Plot Keywords:

orphan | friendship | sick brother | secretary | africa | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Family | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk]

Country:

UK USA South Africa Botswana

Language:

English Tswana

Also Known As:

A Agência Nº1 de Mulheres Detectives

Filming Locations:

Botswana

Company Credits

Production Co:

Weinstein Company, The, Home Box Office (HBO), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This television show is based on a series of books by Alexander McCall Smith. The first line of the series' first book is, "Mma Ramotswe had a detective agency in Africa, at the foot of the Kgale Hill."). This line is a deliberate literary reference to the opening line of Isak Dinesen's classic memoir about Kenya, Out of Africa (which starts "I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills." When Out of Africa was made into a movie, its director was Sydney Pollack; before his death, Pollack was the executive producer for The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

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Connections

Referenced in Breaking and Entering (2006)

User Reviews

A program that introduces us to another culture, to the subtleties and symbolism of that culture. Style may take a little getting used to.

If you don't find depth in this show, then you're not giving it your full attention. We are jaded because of all the in-your-face, aggressive, loud and often violent programing - this is a gentle program, but it has great depth and sensitivity if you really listen to the characters. It takes a moment to get used to the dialect/accents...I recommend this, and hope it survives! It's a visit to another culture, one quite worth getting acquainted with. The music alone is reason to give the show a try - ethnic, quality performances - this program I think offers so much charm but in a very subtle way. Some may, as I did at first, find it requires a little working at but soon you settle in to the style and find it most worthwhile programming.