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.
Who do I need to speak to make this tv-series happen again? This was one of the best series on HBO! Please make this happen still, 2021 could use this badly
I brought the DVDS I loved the T.V series. Please make a movie.
Please film the movies I’ve read all the books the characters were perfect and they were so good
Watching the only season for the 4th time. It never gets old! Please bring the Ladies back!
As a family (Grandparents down to 5 year old) we love these books and the TV series. We even have the DVD’s of the TV series. I beleive they would work much better as 1hour long TV series capturing the story line as per the books and giving scope to embed the charactors even more. As the books and storyline continue to evolve with these adventures, there is ample scope to provide work for the people within this trade for many years. There are so many positivies, as well as the enjoyment of producing a class A series, and think… Read more »
I love this show. My children love this show. I am watching it now and recommended it to so many people. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!
Watched Series 1 for the third time and think,it’s one of the best programs ever. Please RESURRECT this wonderful show.
Yes, yes I would love to see it return. I truly enjoyed the series. I was sad when it was canceled
Love love love this show would love it to return
❤️ love love this “Show ! Brings back lots of memories of my time in Botswana
Alexander McCall Smith’s integration of Botswana into his depiction of the Number One Ladies Detective Agency is an excellent insight into the people, the land and its culture. Thank you Dr. McCall Smith!
I thought The No.1 ladies’ detective agency was an outstanding series I have read all of Alexander Smith books regarding this particular subject I wish in 2021 they would complete the series and or make movie series of it, using cast original if not able you must use a cast that has credibility and chops as Jill Scott, please don’t use a stupid comedian it won’t work, and actor like Viola Davis as detective and Merle Dandridge as car mechanic love interest, this would be superb choice and a big box office draw
The audiobooks are a poor substitute… the different voices are grating. Just doesn’t work without the background of Botswana and the landscape – good way to get over the loss of the TV show!!
Very disappointed in so few shows. The cast and acting were excellent. The books have a large following. What gives?
I am a devoted fan of the show, and I was incensed that there was only 1 season. How could such an exceptional show have been canceled with such seeming indifference? A movie is better than nothing, but a series is a commitment.
Amen
I completely agree, I want more