1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a television comedy-drama series, produced by the BBC in conjunction with HBO, and based on the novels of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith.

British director Anthony Minghella was a fan of the books and, after optioning the film rights, worked with the publishers to write a blurb for the paperback edition.

[1] Minghella, having filmed The English Patient in Africa, was concerned with the realities of importing equipment and housing the cast and crew for the production.

[1] Moore had travelled extensively in Africa, including in Botswana, and had worked on promoting South African film and bringing African-produced plays to an Off-Broadway setting.

[8] Weinstein commented on the project, saying that "like all fans of Alexander McCall Smith's magisterial books, I became enchanted with the wonders and charms of Botswana.

"[8] Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella helmed the film and co-wrote the teleplay with Oscar nominated writer Richard Curtis.

[8] South African actor and comedian Desmond Dube plays BK, owner of the Last Chance Salon and friend to Mma Ramotswe.

[6] Minghella decided to cast her after viewing clips of her poetry readings and musical performance and noting her rare screen presence.

[8] The producers signed a 10-year-lease in 2007 for the area at the bottom of Kgale Hill in Gaborone locally known as "Kgaleview" where the detective agency set is located.

[6] Minghella's standalone television film premiered on the BBC on 23 March 2008, only five days after he suddenly died due to complications from surgery.

[15] Rotten Tomatoes assigns the series a rating of 80%, its critical consensus stating: "The Botswana terrain makes for a beautiful backdrop in The No.

1 Ladies' Detective Agency, a faithful adaptation of the book that is leisurely paced, but well-structured, boasting a stellar performance by Jill Scott.

"[16] The List said that Jill Scott's performance "effortlessly captures the blend of wisdom, compassion and understated humour that has made Precious Ramotswe such a popular creation.

The Guardian's reviewer summed it up as "Heartbeat, basically, relocated to Botswana, a beautiful African country where smiley happy people, cardboard cut-out characters, go about their business with good humour, hard work, morality and diligence.

"[18] But in The Independent, the reviewer, remarking on the recent death of its director and co-adaptor, Anthony Minghella, said "its merits are distinctively Minghella's own, and that in adapting Alexander McCall Smith's hugely popular and arguably emollient stories for the screen, he and Richard Curtis have found a way to stiffen their representation of African life without losing the sweet moral clarity of the originals.

Botswana also expects a tourism benefit from the film and is preserving the set, "Kgalewood", as part of a tour of Gaborone aimed at fans of the story.

[1] In August 2010, Michael Lombardo, HBO's director of programming, indicated that the show was not being renewed for a second season; however, two feature-length films continuing the series were being considered.

[22] At the 2011 Television Critics Association summer press tour, HBO announced that the show would continue as two or more standalone films, with network executives reviewing the first script.