At the TCA press tour, Michael Lombardo, HBO’s president of programming, spoke about the future of No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Though it won’t be continuing as a TV series, there are plans to continue the story in the form of two movies.
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency ran for seven episodes on HBO, from March until May in 2009. The comedy-drama was filmed on location in Botswana and follows Mma Ramotswe as she operates a detective agency. The cast includes Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose, Lucian Msamati, and Desmond Dube.
This weekend, Lombardo said, “We’re talking to our friends at the Weinstein Company about the possibility of, and actually developing two scripts, possibly to do two movies. And if we can get the cast together and if everything can come together we’ve love to do it. So it’s alive.”
If they get the final go-ahead, the two HBO movies would likely be shot back-to-back. It seems they won’t be filmed completely in Botswana however.
It was reported last month that the show’s producers had relocated from Botswana to Cape Town. The Botswana government, hard hit by the recession, balked at the idea of subsidizing film production while South Africa doubled their rebate offer.
If the movies are actually made, they’ll be filmed mostly in Cape Town with occasional lensing in Botswana, the locale where the story is set.
What do you think? Are you a fan of No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency? Would you like to see it return as a pair of movies?
Image courtesy HBO.
Please bring this wonderful story and these wonderful talented actors back!!! We get hooked on quality stories like this and then, poof, they are gone. Please don’t let that be the case with this detective series!!!
I absolutely LOVE this series, and hope that if it is not possible to continue the series, that the movies get made. It is so rare to find programming that portrays such a depth of decency and humanity coupled with great characters, great actors, and just plain old great story-telling. I had nearly given up on watching television because it is so violent and depressing. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency is uplifting and completely enjoyable by the entire family. Please bring us more programming like this!
I would love to see this return – I don’t know why anything that is funny, interesting, and just plain decent is always cancelled. I am so tired of all the “junk” on TV and at the movie theater. Let’s get back to some “wholesome” flicks that all family members can watch together without having to see sex, violence, etc.
What a delight this series was. I would love to see the movies, but would love a continued series even more. The characters and stories are too rich and full for just a movie. With a tv series the intricate specialness could be brought forward so much better.
Through this Series of Stories, I have become aware of Africa, it’s nations, history and current affairs. The stories themselves are enjoyable, with gentle humor and the human soul of caring for others and respect for the environment and an important sense of worthiness for life itself.
I would love to see a season 2. This is a fabulous show.
Why would you NOT make a Season 2? It’s one of the best things ever created for tv! Movie vs. series? I’d rather see a series because then we get MORE of a good thing!
Film all the books as a TV Serial please!
Initially sceptical, i quickly got hooked to the show and was really upset to discover that season two does not exist!
Bring it back!!!!!
I am so disappointed to find out that the series was cancelled. My friends and I loved it and would love to see movies made of it. It is so rare that good programs come along. It would be so great if we could have some more like this one. Thank you.
PLEASE bring it back. I have read all of the books and just discovered Season 1. It is outstanding!!! We need a Season 2 or a movie or two at the very least!!
Bring it Back! I’ve fallen in love with all the characters!!
I just found on demand. Wonderful show. Sad it was cancled
I absolutely loved this series. I hope it can be revived. I would prefer as a series and not a movie. It flowed exactly like the books.
My wife and I have enjoyed these books for many years, and were delighted to recently discover the HBO/BBC episodes. They are simply wonderful! Please pick up this project again, and make a second season! There MUST be more.
I have never understood why this show was cancelled so soon. Does anyone know the reason? Personally I thought it was very well made, cast was excellent, and of course the stories were charming. I suppose it has to do with low ratings, which could be interpreted as not making enough money – or am I just being cynical?
Hi I believe the director died suddenly.
what a loss.
We have just bought the bbc dvd. of the no1 ladies.
can’t wait to see it again