The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO , BBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 15, 2009
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 2 out of 27

Critic Reviews

  1. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    50
    The series doesn’t mean to dig deeply into contemporary African social problems or politics, instead, it offers up middlebrow mysteries that can be solved in an episode’s time, a heroine who is keenly observant and positively feminine, a vague sort of half-step forward from Nancy Drew or Jessica Fletcher.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    50
    What comes across as charmingly spare on the page frequently ends up lacking complexity on the screen.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    50
    Ultimately, everybody's affable in this series. There are no sharp right angles, no emotional elbows.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Andrew Wallenstein
    40
    While the premise begs a broader comedic treatment, the series is a leisurely paced drama with light jokes that mostly play on its characters' convoluted rendering of the English language.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best TV Season of 2009
48
#48 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
32
#32 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 52
  3. Negative: 5 out of 52
  1. canadada
    Apr 27, 2012
    9
    Just watched the feature length Pilot on DVD. Pleasantly surprised, delighted by the story-line, appreciated the music, humor & goodJust watched the feature length Pilot on DVD. Pleasantly surprised, delighted by the story-line, appreciated the music, humor & good casting/acting. Look forward to watching the full 1st season, and already hope there'll be MORE.… Full Review »
  2. SandyS.
    Jul 28, 2009
    10
    I absolutely loved this show and looked forward to watching each wk..please continue the series.
  3. rgdgg
    May 23, 2009
    10
    We look forward to this show. It is fun, family entertainment and its setting in Botswana is unique and adds immensly to the appeal of the We look forward to this show. It is fun, family entertainment and its setting in Botswana is unique and adds immensly to the appeal of the show. We have watched all episodes and hope the series on HBO will be continued… Full Review »
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