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.
I loved this series in 2009 and watched it again in 2020. So well-done and refreshingly authentic! I would like very much to see it made into movies!
It should NEVER have been canceled, but sadly the good ones always are. Why does this happen?
We need this series back. Refreshing, well produced, casted and performed. Leaves you entertained, feeling good and wanting more. What a pleasure.
So am I understanding this right that there is only season one of this TV series? Too bad cuz it is so different and so clean
yes, I would love to see 2 new movies. Loved the 7 episodes that i saw
What a shame that a wonderful show that provides onsite into the lives and culture of people in Africa was cancelled. The television was well done. I would have watched it earlier had I known it was televised.
I was a fan when it originally aired and was soooo sad when it wasn’t renewed. I recently learned that the audible series has a great story teller so I’m planning to try that option.
I watched this series when it first aired and loved it. Now, over a decade later, I’ve watched the dvds and feel so sad that there aren’t more seasons to enjoy. There are so many more stories to tell with these characters! Really wish someone would pick up this project again.
What a gem of a series! I’m so disappointed to find out that there is only one season.
I loved the show. I was sad to see it go.
I was so disappointed that the series was canceled. I find that I am afraid to say out loud that I like a show because it always gets canceled…. like the series from Australia about Miss Fisher and a US show called ‘Slap Maxwell’.
Am on book 13, absolutely loving them. Would love more TV Series and movies. The characters are just wonderful!
Love the books and loved the TV series!
I love the show and was extremely sad to hear there is currently only one season. I’d love for it to continue and eagerly await the two movies. Fan from Australia.
Love the books and the series on HBO. Anxiously awaiting a movie and a season 2 etc.