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[03/10/08 - 09:40 AM]
HBO to Partner with the Weinstein Company and the BBC to Present New Drama Series the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Based on the International Bestselling Novels by Alexander Mccall Smith
In addition to the two-hour film, which will serve as the pilot, HBO has ordered 13 one-hour episodes that will begin filming this summer.

[via press release from The Weinstein Company]

HBO to Partner with The Weinstein Company and the BBC to Present New Drama Series THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, Based on the International Bestselling Novels By Alexander McCall Smith

Series Is A Mirage Enterprises And Cinechicks Production; Grammy Winner Jill Scott Stars

NEW YORK, March 10 -- HBO will partner with The Weinstein Company and the BBC to bring Alexander McCall Smith's international bestselling book series THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY to television, it was announced today by Richard Plepler, co-president, HBO and Michael Lombardo, president, Programming Group and West Coast Operations, HBO. Grammy Award winner Jill Scott ("Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?," "Hounddog") stars in the series, whose two-hour pilot was recently filmed on location in Botswana under the direction of Academy Award(R) winner Anthony Minghella ("Cold Mountain," "The English Patient") from a script by Minghella and Academy Award(R) nominee Richard Curtis ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," HBO's "The Girl in the Cafe"), who also executive produce. The producers are Academy Award(R) winner Sydney Pollack ("Out of Africa") and Timothy Bricknell ("Cold Mountain") for Mirage Enterprises, along with Amy Moore for Cinechicks.

In addition to the two-hour film, which will serve as the pilot, HBO has ordered 13 one-hour episodes that will begin filming this summer, with HBO obtaining U.S. and Canadian television and home video rights, and the BBC taking UK television distribution. The Weinstein Company, which controls all other international territories, is planning to take the project to market at MIP in April.

"Alexander McCall Smith's wonderful books have been a sensation around the world for years, and we're thrilled to be teaming up with the BBC and The Weinstein Company (TWC) to adapt these highly entertaining stories for HBO," notes Plepler. "And needless to say, the opportunity to work with the exceptionally gifted Anthony Minghella and Richard Curtis makes this project all the more exciting."

Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company, states, "The Weinstein Company is uniquely positioned to develop and create television programming that matches the quality viewers expect when seeing a film in a theater, and having HBO and BBC on board will provide this initiative with the broadest possible audience. We are very excited about this project and so pleased to continue our decade-long collaboration with Mirage on this new series."

Says director/co-writer/executive producer Minghella, "Filming THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY in Botswana was an amazing adventure. The people were marvelous and the landscape, especially in the northern areas of the country, is extraordinary. Particularly fascinating to me was working and filming in an African country where old and new are currently coexisting, where traditional values have not yet been eroded by the demands and efficiencies and neuroses of the modern. It was a privilege to be working on a film which celebrates what we can learn from Africa, and not what we think we can teach it."

Adds Jane Tranter, BBC Controller, Fiction, "I am looking forward to continuing a strong working relationship with Anthony Minghella, Richard Curtis, Mirage and The Weinstein Company on a new series of THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, and to partner with HBO on this fabulous project, following the success of 'Rome,' 'Five Days' and 'Stuart: A Life Backwards.'"

"THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY" is a poignant and passionate book series chronicling the adventures of Precious Ramotswe, the eminently sensible and wise proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. Aided by her highly-efficient yet rather peculiar secretary Mma Makutsi, Mma Ramotswe investigates cases, helps people solve problems in their lives, and begins a special friendship with the highly respectable owner of a local garage.

The dynamic and diverse cast for the television pilot includes Grammy Award-winning singer Jill Scott as series heroine Precious Ramotswe, who has become one of the most beloved characters in international contemporary fiction. Anika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls") stars as Precious' quirky secretary Mma Makutsi, and Lucian Msamati stars as Mma Ramotswe's devoted suitor JLB Matekoni. They are joined by David Oyelowo ("The Last King of Scotland," HBO's "Five Days" and "As You Like It"), Idris Elba ("28 Weeks Later," HBO's "The Wire"), Colin Salmon ("Die Another Day," "Match Point") and Tony Award winner John Kani ("Final Solution," "The Ghost and the Darkness").

SOURCE The Weinstein Company
http://homeboxoffice.com





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· AS YOU LIKE IT (HBO)
· FIVE DAYS (HBO)
· GIRL IN THE CAFE, THE (HBO)
· NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, THE (HBO)
· ROME (HBO)
· STUART: A LIFE BACKWARDS (HBO)
· WIRE, THE (HBO)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.