HBO No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Africa
Jill Scott Stars as Engaging Female Sleuth in Botswana
May 11, 2009
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is new series on HBO Premium Cable, in its first season. The series is a unique and gentle look at the culture of South Africa, from the eyes of an independent female detective, Precious Romotswe. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency stars Jill Scott as Precious and Anika Noni Rose as Secretary Grace Makutsi.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is the first major film/TV project shot entirely on location in Botswana. The story is based on bestselling novels written by Alexander McCall Smith. The series chronicles the adventures of the sensible and cheerful Precious Ramotswe, the proprietor of the first and only female owned detective agency in the country. Precious has used a bequest from her loving father to open the agency with the idealistic purpose of helping the downtrodden.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Explores Issues in Africa
Precious takes on a secretary/assistant, Grace Makutsi (Anika Noni Rose), the high strung graduate of the local secretarial school. The two women are at once innocent and serious. The series has a gentle, playful air, but the crimes the ladies investigate are not gentle. The two look into crimes such as child kidnapping, organized crime, poverty, healthy crises, blood diamonds, infidelity and spousal abandonment.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is more than entertainment. The series tackles many or the problems that confront the society in Africa, and around the world in a realistic and honest tone. Precious was wounded in her marriage to an abusive husband, a musician. Grace goes home to care for a boyfriend with Aids. Each of these ladies gathers the strength to move on in their lives and to be productive and helpful.
The series has a different look and sound from any other series on television. The modern problems are tackled to the gentle sound of steel drums playing in the background. As the ladies of the detective agency solve their cases, they also forge new friendships and make their way in African society.
The series also provides an introductory narrative that explains the importance of the storyline in Africa. For instance, a recent show about a beauty contest was introduced by the explanation that beauty contents are very popular in Africa, even more so than in the United States.
Cast of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on HBO
- Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe
- Anika Noni Rose as Grace Matuski
- Lucian Msamati as JLB Maatekoni
- Desmond Dube as BK
- Sydney Pollack Executive Producer (Episode 1)
- Richard Curtis Executive Producer
- Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein Executive Producers
- Amy J. Moore Executive Producer
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency airs on Sunday night on HBO. The series also runs on HBO On Demand Cable TV.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency set in Africa
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