![The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Season 1 [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5100zft2rAL._SL500_.jpg "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Season 1 [DVD]")
This HBO series was a collaboration with the BBC, and it shows! The episodes are quite true to Alexander McCall Smith’s mystery books, except for the addition of a secondary character (hair dresser) who, to me, is a nice addition. HBO has not added (again my opinion!) their almost-perfunctory nudity and sex scenes… which totally delights me.
The African (Botswana) setting is phenomenal. I am struck by the realistic “look” of the episodes… no slick Hollywood gloss-overs here! The cattle you see are not corn-fed, “beefed-up Hollywood” animals. The roads are dusty, the houses are modest, and the cars look like the type which would keep Mr. J. L.B. Matekoni (Lucian Msamati) busy at his auto repair shop.
Mma Ramotswe (Precious) is superbly played by Jill Scott, but to me, the stand-out performance is Anika Noni Rose as Mma Makutsi (Grace).
I strongly recommend the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency television series. In the past, I have often had problems watching a screen production of a favorite book/series of mine. There have been a few exceptions to this, the Princess Bride is one that comes to mind. This production of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is yet another exception!
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Riva says
I LOVE this series and am extremely sad that they never did more than the one season. I watch just about any time an episode is on, and have seen some of the episodes many, many times. There’s always something new to see in the production.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Riva, so far, my husband and I have only watched the shows once, but as beautiful as they are, and as poor as my memory is, I might just get the movies out again soon!
Andie says
I am also a huge fan of this series and any of A. M. Smith’s books. I also have the cookbook which I think anyone who loves Mma Ramotstwe should have.
It’s not just a cookbook but beautiful photography and interesting information about Botswana and its people.
A few decades ago my artwork involved gemstone carving and demonstrations at gem and mineral shows and at one of these I met a representative of Botswana Game Industries and learned some very interesting facts about the country and we corresponded for many years.
When the first book in this series appeared I was totally charmed by the characters and each succeeding novel has lived up to the promise.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andie, how neat that you were able to correspond with the representative of the Botswana Game Industries. You certainly have known some very interesting people!
(Thanks for telling us about Mma Ramotswe’s Cookbook.)
Marianne says
I loved this series, too! Gave it to my mom last Christmas, and she agrees. The music really was a wonderful addition to the scenery and acting.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marianne, what a neat idea for a Christmas gift. Good thing that my mom doesn’t read my site entries!
Laura says
Danna: I, also, enjoy Alexander McCall Smith’s “44 Scotland Street” series. There is a mystery of sorts going on, but it really is secondary to the story. Also, the mystery is not a murder, so it is a different kind of “cozy”. Is he unique in this?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laura, you’re right about the 44 Scotland Street “mystery of sorts.” I think you have a point, Laura, in that Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books aren’t centered around murders. I can’t think of any other authors who make that a regular feature of their mysteries…
Elaine says
I too LOVE these stories! I tried reading the books, but because I couldn’t pronounce the names, I had a hard time keeping going. But the DVDs I LOVE. So colorful, great characters, fun stories, lots of fun to watch!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elaine, you might want to see if your library carries the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books in CD form. Lisette Lecat is absolutely wonderful reading this series! (That way it won’t matter if you can pronounce the names, or not…)
anneofct says
I am new to this blog and feel so late. I am watching the Miss Fisher mysteries as I type. 1st off this blog has been added to my faves. No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is 1 of only 2 series I wait w/ baited breath for the latest to come out.
I started the audio books then came across the series. Was nervous that HBO got its hand on it, but was pleasantly surprised how faithful they were to the book. And I actually didn’t mind the addition of the hairdresser. And I, like you, adore Mma Makutsi. Anika made her jump off the page into real life. Got my parents hooked and they immediately went and purchased it.
I guess HBO felt is was a waste to spend money on something w/ a lack of sex, nudity, violence and foul ,language. For me the show lives on with every new book published.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anneofct, welcome to the Cozy Mystery site’s blog! I’m glad you found us!
I shared your feelings about HBO producing the show. I wondered if they were going to jazz up Mma Ramotswe’s & Mr. J. L.B. Matekoni’s courtship. I was so delighted they were faithful to the books!
Edie Dykeman says
This is a great series, and there is not a bad actor among them. They all seem to fit perfectly.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Edie, you’re right about the actors all doing really good jobs at their parts. But, at first, I had to get over my preconceived notion of what the three main characters should look like…
Susan says
Sort of on this theme, a friend on another site has said she’s sick of winter already (Lol!) and wants mysteries set in warm places.
I recommended McCall Smith’s series, as being set in Africa.
Is there a list for this theme, too, please, Danna? 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I don’t have either of the themes you might be interested in: Africa or warm climates. Of course, there are many warm weathered states that I have up already…
Jo says
I just saw this at the library and was wondering about it. But I haven’t read the books yet. Would you recommend I read them first?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jo, I would definitely recommend reading the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, but you certainly don’t need to read the books in order to watch the television shows. I just happen to love the books – especially the audio books read by Lisette Lecat. Since I read the books before seeing the shows, I had a definite view of what I thought all of the characters would look like. I actually didn’t think the characters in the shows were anything like what I had imagined, but they were terrific, anyway!
Shelleyrae says
Unusually I couldn’t really get into the series, I only read the first three before giving up but when the series started playing on television here (Australia) recently I thought I would give it a chance and really enjoyed it. It’s a shame there will not be more.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Shelleyrae, I hope you enjoy the books as much as I have. I have listened to all of them (unabridged) and absolutely love all of the characters in this series.
jONATHAN M. Nielson says
I invite all to cozy-up with ‘Convergence’ a murder-mystery set in Mendocino, California, whose main character, Erin Kelley, begins a quest that takes her on a journey of unspeakable danger, self-discovery, and mystery….
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Jonathan, for telling us about your mystery book – Convergence.
Melinda says
I tried to read the first book in the series and couldn’t get past the first chapter. Probably could not ‘identify’ with the people/culture or setting as I’ve never been to that part of the world or read/seen much about it. However… the TV series is really great and I enjoyed watching it. Would recommend! Guess sometimes I need to ‘see’ things first!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melinda, as I have said many times before, I absolutely love The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books. I listen to them on tape, and the narrator (Lisette Lecat) does a fabulous job.
Mary R. says
I love the books and the TV series. I wish they would make more episodes. The casting was terrific!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary R, my husband and I loved The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency television series. It’s such a shame that HBO didn’t have more episodes made. I wonder if it’s because it is so outside of the realm of the series that usually do so well on HBO…
Marnie says
I absolutely loved The No.1 Ladies Detection Agency….I am very upset that there are no more episodes to watch. I am a reader so I will have to find the books. Why do they always stop making a good show???????
??? I am soooo tired of drug, sex, and violent movies.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marnie, isn”t the The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency television series terrific. My husband and I loved them.
You should definitely try Alexander McCall Smith‘s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Mystery Series.
Kay says
I am so grateful for your site and for telling me about this series. I haven’t brought myself to watch the last episode because I am so sad it will be over. Powerful series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kay, my husband and I enjoyed this television series so much that I’m sure we’ll revisit it. What a delightful show, based on terrific novels!
Sharon S says
All of HBO is free from July 10th to July 16th. I’m going to start watching No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. I have Xfinity Comcast, but I’m assuming HBO is free on other carriers too during this time frame.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, thanks for the suggestion! I’ll be sure to check if it’s available locally as well (I don’t think we have Xfinity Comcast though).