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

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Family | Mystery

Plot Keywords:

Orphan | Friendship | Sick Brother | Secretary | Africa

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 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 / ... (3 episodes, 2009)
Dipshika Mahajan	...	Nandira Patel (3 episodes, 2009)
Mosako Mogara	...	Wellington (3 episodes, 2009)
Kgomotso Delia Tshwenyego	...	Rose / ... (3 episodes, 2008-2009)

Runtime:

USA:60 min

Country:

UK | USA | South Africa | Botswana

Language:

English | Tswana

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Botswana

Company:

Weinstein Company, The

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 (1985) 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" (2008).

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.