Alexander McCall Smith, THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY HBO series creator: Mr. Media Interview

‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ creator Alexander McCall Smith looks into Mr. Media’s priors!

The new seven-episode drama series “THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY,” based on the international bestselling novels by Alexander McCall Smith, debuts Sunday, March 29 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Filmed in Botswana, the series stars Grammy Award winner Jill Scott as heroine Precious Ramotswe, one of the most beloved characters in contemporary fiction. “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” is a presentation of HBO Entertainment in association with The Weinstein Company and BBC.

With nine novels published to date, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” book series chronicles 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 garage.

Also starring in “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” are Anika Noni Rose (“Dreamgirls”) as Precious’ quirky secretary Mma Makutsi and Lucian Msamati as Mma Ramotswe’s devoted suitor JLB Matekoni. Guest stars in the pilot include 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 winner John Kani (“Final Solution,” “The Ghost and the Darkness”).

‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ Jill Scott