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

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Family | Mystery

Plot:

A woman opens her own detective agency in Botswana.

Plot Keywords:

Orphan | Friendship | Sick Brother | Secretary | Africa

Awards:

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

Cast

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)

Series Directed by
Charles Sturridge		(3 episodes, 2009)
Tim Bricknell		(2 episodes, 2009)
Tim Fywell		(2 episodes, 2009)

Series Writing credits
Alexander McCall Smith		(7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Robert Jones		(3 episodes, 2009)
Nicholas Wright		(3 episodes, 2009)

Series Produced by
Steve E. Andrews	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tim Bricknell	....	producer / series producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Richard Curtis	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Vlokkie Gordon	....	line producer / producer: Film Afrika (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Anthony Minghella	....	executive producer / producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Amy J. Moore	....	executive producer / producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Sydney Pollack	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
David Wicht	....	producer: Film Afrika (2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Original Music by
Gabriel Yared		(2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Cinematography by
Giulio Biccari		(6 episodes, 2009)

Series Film Editing by
Mary Finlay		(3 episodes, 2009)
Katie Weiland		(3 episodes, 2009)

Series Casting by
Michelle Guish		(1 episode, 2008)
Richard Hicks		(1 episode, 2008)
Moonyeenn Lee		(1 episode, 2008)
David Rubin		(1 episode, 2008)

Series Production Design by
Johnny Breedt		(2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Art Direction by
Vivienne Gray		(1 episode, 2008)
Cecelia van Straaten		(1 episode, 2009)

Series Set Decoration by
Melinda Launspach		(2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Costume Design by
Jo Katsaras		(7 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Makeup Department
Simone Stubbs	....	make-up and hair artist (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Megan Tanner	....	make-up and hair designer / hair designer / ... (7 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Production Management
Clare Maclean	....	post-production supervisor (2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jonny Benson	....	second assistant director (6 episodes, 2009)
Steve E. Andrews	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Phil Jones	....	scheduling assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Arlo Markantonatos	....	assistant property master / props buyer (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Surisa Surisa	....	set dresser (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Patrick O'Connor	....	assistant art director (6 episodes, 2009)
Lucille Doman	....	graphic designer (3 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Sound Department
Martin Cantwell	....	sound effects editor / sound designer (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Simon Chase	....	dialogue editor / supervising sound editor / ... (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Colin Ritchie	....	dialogue editor (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Dillon Bennett	....	assistant sound editor (6 episodes, 2009)
Richard Fordham	....	dialogue editor (6 episodes, 2009)
David Mackie	....	sound effects editor (6 episodes, 2009)
Mark Paterson	....	sound re-recording mixer (6 episodes, 2009)
Jamie Roden	....	sound re-recording mixer (6 episodes, 2009)
Simon Diggins	....	sound mix assistant (5 episodes, 2009)
Harry Barnes	....	foley editor (3 episodes, 2009)
Kevin Penney	....	foley editor (3 episodes, 2009)
Alex Joseph	....	foley editor / foley supervisor (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Nico Louw	....	production sound mixer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Special Effects by
Clinton Smith	....	special body effects designer and creator (7 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Visual Effects by
Zachary Bloom	....	scanning and recording: Framestore / hd scanning and recording: Framestore (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Clare Brody	....	data operator - framestore (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Dennis Dallen	....	lead compositor (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Richard Edwards	....	digital intermediate data operator / data operator: Framestore CFC (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
James Long	....	digital intermediate data operator / data operator: Framestore CFC (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Laura Lunt	....	production assistant: framestore (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Veronica Marcano	....	scanning & recording operator: Framestore (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Petr Masek	....	digital compositor (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tomas Munzar	....	lead compositor (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Adam Parker	....	retouch and restoration: Framestore (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Lee Rankin	....	scanning and recording: Framestore (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Matthew Baker	....	retouch and restoration: Framestore (6 episodes, 2009)
Andrew Harvey	....	retouch and restoration: Framestore (6 episodes, 2009)
David Vána	....	visual effects supervisor (6 episodes, 2009)
Asa Shoul	....	digital colourist (4 episodes, 2009)
Miro Gal	....	senior flame artist (3 episodes, 2009)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Zak 'Ebenezzer' O'Leary	....	key grip / dolly grip (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Nick Wall	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Pascar Proctor	....	casting / extras casting / ... (2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Clinton Smith	....	specialty costume builder (6 episodes, 2009)

Series Editorial Department
David Fisher	....	assistant editor (6 episodes, 2009)
Alistair Hamer	....	digital intermediate on-line editor (6 episodes, 2009)
Marina Theodotou	....	assistant editor (6 episodes, 2009)

Series Music Department
Mike Gillespie	....	music supervisor (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Lewis Morison	....	assistant to composer (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Kirsty Whalley	....	music editor (6 episodes, 2009)
Robert Houston	....	music editor (5 episodes, 2009)
Allan Jenkins	....	music editor (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Solomon B. Monyame	....	music supervisor (2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Transportation Department
Colin Breedt	....	picture vehicle coordinator (1 episode, 2008)
Russell Delport	....	transportation co-captain (1 episode, 2008)
Laurie Dunn	....	unit and transport manager (1 episode, 2008)
Tarryn Greybè	....	unit and transport coordinator (1 episode, 2008)
Mark Hardy	....	transportation captain (1 episode, 2008)
Kenny Tshenyego	....	picture vehicle assistant coordinator (1 episode, 2008)
Bruce Capel-Davies	....	transportation coordinator (1 episode, 2009)
Nick Dunn	....	assistant unit transport manager (1 episode, 2009)
Simphiwe Jodwana	....	transportation captain (1 episode, 2009)

Series Other crew
Justine Raczkiewicz	....	assistant: production executive (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Lulu Zezza	....	executive in charge of physical production (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Estelle Vockerodt	....	assistant accountant (6 episodes, 2009)
Joseph Warley	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 2009)
David Wilcock	....	first assistant accountant / key assistant accountant (6 episodes, 2009)
Deon Du Preez	....	location manager (4 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Thanks
Anthony Minghella	....	in memory of (1 episode, 2008)

Production Companies

• Weinstein Company, The
• Home Box Office (HBO)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• Mirage Enterprises
• Cinechicks
• Film Afrika Worldwide

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2008-2009) (UK) (TV) (BBC1)
• HBO Hungary (2010) (Hungary) (TV)
• HBO Signature (2010) (Hong Kong) (TV)
• Home Box Office (HBO) (2009) (USA) (TV)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (2009) (USA) (DVD) (complete series)
• LaLa TV (2010) (Japan) (TV)

Other Companies

• Goldcrest Post Production London  sound post-production
• Panavision  camera equipment provided by
• Soundelux  sound post-production
• UK Computamatch  film data management

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:60 min

Country:

UK | USA | South Africa | Botswana

Language:

English | Tswana

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Botswana

Company:

Weinstein Company, The

Trivia:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Breaking and Entering (2006)

Charming, funny, bright as rainbows

The pilot for this series is very very close to the book(s), in tone and in content, if a little lightweight. The book series was perfectly charming, original in concept, playful and dignified and respectful of the human hearts at the center of this African culture, and so was this pilot. I do very much look forward to watching the series - the actors are a pure pleasure, and there's plenty of time to beef up the plots - PLUS- some great music! NO murderous cops, rotting corpses, drooling vampires, autopsies upon which the ME and his assistant eat their sandwiches, waggling, eye-level rump/crotch shots, convoluted quasi-Machiavellian mafia mobsters, sub-literate scriptwriters, howlingly ignorant plot devices. An original premise ... What a concept...