The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 52 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	Your Score
8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 52 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

HBO | BBC | Season Premiere Date: March 15, 2009

Starring: David Oyelowo, Anika Noni Rose, Nikki Amuka Bird

Summary: Jill Scott leads the HBO adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's detective novels set in Botswana.

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E7. A Real Botswana Diamond
Air Date: May 10, 2009
tbd
S1:E6. A Real Botswana Diamond
Air Date: April 19, 2009
tbd
S1:E6. Beauty and Integrity
Air Date: May 3, 2009

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Critic Reviews

100

Robert Bianco

This is as good an adaptation as any Ladies lover could wish, one that overflows with the joys of life and exudes an all-embracing spirit. Be ready to be beguiled. Read full review

Verne Gay

This is a gentle, good-hearted series and Scott was pretty much born to play Precious. But LDA can also be willfully, stubbornly languid. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Cozy at times as any English village mystery, Smith's stories, like the snakes he often includes, have a way of striking when one least expects. Read full review

Heather Havrilesky

As charismatic and unfamiliar as Ramotswe is, after the first hour, it's hard to imagine becoming addicted to this series the way so many readers are addicted to McCall Smith's novels. But then, by the beginning of the second episode, we start to understand: This series is a dramedy, really, a more exotic, more absurd, more original version of "Grey's Anatomy," if you will. Read full review

Ken Tucker

Minghella's direction sets the tone for the series, placing Scott's boldly colored dresses against warm green walls and sand-brown buildings. Scott provides big love, but "Big Love" this ain't. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

I can't say you'll want to follow The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency religiously, like so many other HBO efforts, but it is an easy-to-like distraction. Read full review

Ryan Stewart

The pilot, while offering ample opportunity for the director to indulge in painting the grand, international tableaus that characterized his operatic feature epics, also exposes his tendency toward easy retreat into no-impact treacle when confronted with a culture not easily penetrated, even by an enthusiastic tourist. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChristopherC

Apr 6, 2009

A truly beautiful view of another culture. The characters, including the new hairdresser, are delightfully fleshed out, and the slight changes in characters from the books seem well thought out and convincing. The main cast members are very good, as are most of the minor ones. This is a A truly beautiful view of another culture. The characters, including the new hairdresser, are delightfully fleshed out, and the slight changes in characters from the books seem well thought out and convincing. The main cast members are very good, as are most of the minor ones. This is a character-driven series, the pace is thoughtfully slow, and the various settings are well chosen and gloriously filmed. It is not an action-adventure series and should not try to be one. This is the first time I've looked forward to watching tv on a Sunday evening in a long time.… Expand