The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (radio series)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a series of radio programmes, based on the series of novels of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith.
McCall Smith himself dramatised the series for BBC Radio 4. Thirty-five episodes have been broadcast, the first on 10 September 2004, and the most recent on 23 September 2019. The episodes encompass the first to the nineteenth books. Claire Benedict plays Mma Ramotswe for most of the episodes up to 2016, with Janice Acquah playing the lead for the 2010 episodes, and from 2017 onwards.[1]
Episodes
| Date first broadcast | Title | Director | Cast | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 September 2004 | The Daddy [2] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Joseph Marcell, Janice Acquah, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Jude Akuwudike, Chuk Iwuji, Maynard Eziashi, Peter Gevisser, Noma Dumezweni, Emmanuel Ighodaro, Willie Jonah, Ben Thomas, Alibe Parsons, Bhasker Patel, Nancy Crane, Tehmina Sacranie and Heather Mann | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, takes on her first case – and a news secretary. |
| 17 September 2004 | The Bone [3] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, sets out to discover the truth about Nandira Patel's boyfriend and to solve the case of the mysterious bone. |
| 24 September 2004 | The Maid [4] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict | Mma Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, has good news. However, she must also face a scheming maid, find out the truth behind a doctor's erratic behaviour and take on a new case about a missing American. |
| 1 October 2004 | Tears of the Giraffe [5] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict | Mr JLB Matekoni has a surprise for Mma Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Meanwhile, the case of the missing American man has still to be solved. |
| 30 August 2005 | The Chief Justice of Beauty [6] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is worried about her fiancé, Mr J L B Matekoni. Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi takes on a case for the Chief Justice of Beauty. |
| 6 September 2005 | The Confession [7] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict and Joseph Marcell | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, has to find two women wronged in the past by her client, Mr Molefelo. |
| 13 September 2005 | The Kalahari Typing School for Men [8] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, discovers that the agency has competition, and Mma Makutsi embarks on an entrepreneurial enterprise. |
| 20 September 2005 | The Admirer [9] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, makes an unhappy discovery and Mma Makutsi finds an admirer at the Kalahari Typing School for Men. |
| 18 January 2007 | How to Handle Men through the Application of Psychology[10] | Kirsty Williams | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Joseph Marcell, Janice Acquah, Adjoa Andoh, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Chuk Iwuji and Kedar Williams-Stirling | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, sets out to release her fiancé, Mr JLB Matekoni, from a terrifying obligation.
Meanwhile, a new case comes into the agency and the ladies find themselves on a love quest. |
| 25 January 2007 | House of Hope[11] | Kirsty Williams | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Joseph Marcell, Janice Acquah, Jude Akuwudike and Noma Dumezweni | Mma Ramotswe and her assistant Mma Makutsi visit some bad girls in their quest to find a husband for their client. But Mma Ramotswe has some marriage problems of her own. When her fiancé seems no closer to setting a date for their wedding, she seeks the advice of a crafty friend. |
| 1 February 2007 | The Return of Note[12] | Kirsty Williams | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Janice Acquah, Jude Akuwudike, Adjoa Andoh, Chuk Iwuji, Alibe Parsons, Danny Sapani and Ben Thomas | Mma Ramotswe finds herself in a compromising situation when her past catches up with her. But things are looking brighter for her assistant, Mma Makutsi, when she takes up ballroom dancing. |
| 8 February 2007 | The Ceremony[13] | Kirsty Williams | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Joseph Marcell, Janice Acquah, Jude Akuwudike, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Patrice Naiambana and Danny Sapani | With her agency work under control, Mma Ramotswe has time at last to take care of her own problems. Can she release her fiancé, Mr JLB Matekoni, from his rash undertaking to do a charity parachute jump? And will the return of an old love jeopardise her plan to spring a romantic surprise on her husband-to-be? |
| 1 January 2008 | There Is No Such Thing as Free Food [14] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Jude Akuwudike, Ayesha Antoine, Sam Dale, Maynard Eziashi, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Paterson Joseph and Kedar Williams-Stirling | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is preoccupied both professionally and personally by the subject of food. |
| 2 January 2008 | The Best Profession for a Blackmailer [15] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Janice Acquah, Maynard Eziashi, Adjoa Andoh, Paterson Joseph and Alibe Parsons | Mr Polopetsi, part-time mechanic and would-be assistant detective, takes on a case of his own. Mma Makutsi finds out whether blue shoes are the key to happiness. |
| 3 January 2008 | A Very Rude Woman [16] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Janice Acquah, Ben Onwukwe, Adjoa Andoh, Noma Dumezweni, Maynard Eziashi, Chuk Iwuji, Paterson Joseph and Alibe Parsons | Precious Ramotswe faces change at the agency while Mr J L B Matekoni meets the rudest person in Botswana. |
| 4 January 2008 | Talking Shoes [17] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Adjoa Andoh, Anna Bengo, Noma Dumezweni, William Gaminara, Chuk Iwuji, Paterson Joseph, Naomi Taylor and Ben Thomas | A new detective takes on a case for the agency while Mma Ramotswe, among others, has a problem with high blood pressure. |
| 25 December 2008 | The Miracle at Speedy Motors [18] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Jude Akuwudike, Adjoa Andoh, Anna Bengo, Noma Dumezweni, Maynard Eziashi, Emmanuel Ighodaro, Chuk Iwuji and Alibe Parsons | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is preoccupied – by the absence of postboxes in Botswana, by an anonymous letter and by an adopted child's poignant search for her true family. Meanwhile, Mr JLB Matekoni pursues an expensive cure for their foster daughter Motholeli. |
| 25 December 2009 | Tea Time for the Traditionally Built [19] | Eilidh McCreadie | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Mo Sesay, Nyasha Hatendi, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Emmanuel Ighodaro and Anna Bengo | Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is about to get in over her head. She's got an important new client from the incomprehensible world of football, but she's on her own as her loyal assistant Mma Makutsi is distracted by the return of a troublesome figure from her past. |
| 25 December 2009 | The Seller of Beds [20] | Eilidh McCreadie | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Mo Sesay, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Beru Tessema, Albie Parsons, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Emmanuel Ighodaro, Tyrone Lewis, Anna Bengo and Nyasha Hatendi | The detectives are embroiled in the murky world of the football cheat as they investigate the recent bad form of the Kalahari Swoopers. But Mma Ramotswe's problems don't end there – she must confront an issue which has been avoided for too long. Could it be the end of the road for the tiny white van? |
| 2 December 2010 | An Exceptionally Wicked Lady [21] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Janice Acquah, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Sam Dale, Jude Akuwudike, Maynard Eziashi, Anna Bengo, Noma Dumezweni, Adjoa Andoh, Babou Ceesay and Nyasha Hatendi | Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi face an old adversary while a letter from America sets the agency a seemingly impossible task. |
| 3 December 2010 | Canoeing for Ladies [22] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Janice Acquah, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Maynard Eziashi, Nyasha Hatendi, Obi Abili, Chuk Iwuji, Jude Akuwudike, Anna Bengo, Noma Dumezweni and Adjoa Andoh | Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have to face the dangers of crocodiles, hippos and a tiny canoe as their case takes them to the Okovango Delta to trace a safari guide. There is also the problem of Phuti's aunt to solve, as well as the necessity of confronting their old adversary, Violet Sepotho. |
| 3 November 2011 | A Late Van Just Glimpsed [23] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Adjoa Andoh, Maynard Eziashi and Nyasha Hatendi | Mma Ramotswe makes a ghostly sighting and there is disturbing news about Charlie, Mr JLB Matekoni's wayward apprentice and the ladies investigate unexplained, violent attacks on cattle. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Mma Makutsi's wedding to Phuti Radiphuti, but tragedy awaits outside the shoe shop. |
| 4 November 2011 | The Saturday Big Tent Wedding [24] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Adjoa Andoh, Maynard Eziashi, Nyasha Hatendi, Obi Abili, Beru Tessema, Jude Akuwudike and Gbemisola Ikumelo | The ladies solve the case of the murdered cattle. Mma Makutsi is feeling anxious about her upcoming wedding to Phuti Radiphuti and an old friend comes to the rescue. And Charlie is let off the hook. |
| 20 March 2013 | A Man from a Far Place [25] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Maynard Eziashi, Beru Tessema, Janice Acquah, Babou Ceesay, Sam Dale, Eleanor Crooks and Jude Akuwudike | Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi receive a visit from an extremely important person – a hero, as it happens, of the two detectives at the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Mma Potokwani has had bad news at the Orphan Farm. And one of Mr J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices, Fanwell, gets himself into deep water. |
| 21 March 2013 | The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection [26] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Janice Acquah, Maynard Eziashi, Beru Tessema, Sam Dale, Obi Abili, Adjoa Andoh, Nyasha Hatendi, Jude Akuwudike and Babou Ceesay | Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have received a visit from an extremely important person – a hero of the two detectives at the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Mma Potokwani has had bad news at the Orphan Farm and the ladies are determined to help her. And Mr J.L.B. Matekoni sets out to clear the name of his apprentice, Fanwell. |
| 5 February 2014 | The Modern Husband Course [27] | Eilidh McCreadie | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Adjoa Andoh, Jude Akuwudike, Maynard Eziashi, Eleanor Crooks, Anna Bengo, Steve Toussaint and Janice Acquah | Mr J.L.B. Matekoni embarks on a quest for self-improvement, with a little encouragement from Mma Ramotswe. Mma Makutsi settles into her new house while hiding a secret from her best friend. |
| 6 February 2014 | The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon [28] | Eilidh McCreadie | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Janice Acquah, Eleanor Crooks, Maynard Eziashi, Noma Dumezweni, Steve Toussaint and Alibe Parsons | Mma Ramotswe searches for answers as the campaign against Mma Soleti steps up a gear. Meanwhile, the Agency welcomes a new arrival, and an old wrong is finally righted. |
| 12 March 2015 | The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe [29] | Eilidh McCreadie | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Janice Acquah, Ben Onwukwe, Maynard Eziashi, Jude Akuwudike, Kulvinder Ghir, Sudha Bhuchar and Steve Toussaint | New mother Mma Makutsi expands her business portfolio in an unexpected direction. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe meets a client with a problematic house guest. |
| 13 March 2015 | The Dish of Yesterday [30] | Eilidh McCreadie | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Janice Acquah, Ben Onwukwe, Maynard Eziashi, Jude Akuwudike, Amaka Okafor, Kulvinder Ghir, Obi Abili and Anna Bengo | Mma Ramotswe decides to put her new intern on the case, while Mma Makutsi's distinctive approach to the restaurant business raises eyebrows. |
| 4 August 2016 | This Is Not a Rubbish Boy [31] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Steve Toussaint, Kai Francis-Lewis, Janice Acquah and Eleanor Crooks | Mma Ramotswe has to come to terms with one of the most difficult situations that she has ever faced – taking a holiday. |
| 5 August 2016 | The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine [32] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Claire Benedict, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Steve Toussaint, Janice Acquah, Jason Barnett and Clare Perkins | Mma Ramotswe is technically on holiday from the Agency but that does not stop her from stepping in to rescue an orphaned boy, or from taking on an important case. |
| 19 July 2017 | The Fat Cattle Club [33] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Janice Acquah, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Steve Toussaint and Sarah Niles | |
| 20 July 2017 | Precious and Grace [34] | Gaynor Macfarlane | Janice Acquah, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Steve Toussaint and Sarah Niles | |
| 16 September 2019 | House of Unexpected Sisters[35] | Eilidh McCreadie | Janice Acquah, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Steve Toussaint, Sarah Niles, Saffron Coomber, Lorna Gayle | Mma Ramotswe dips a toe into the murky world of local politics as the Agency investigates a case of unfair dismissal in a new dramatisation from Alexander McCall Smith. |
| 23 September 2019 | The Colours of All the Cattle[36] | Eilidh McCreadie | Janice Acquah, Nadine Marshall, Ben Onwukwe, Steve Toussaint and Sarah Niles | As election day approaches, Mma Ramotswe struggles with conflicted feelings over an old family mystery. |
References
- McCall Smith, Alexander. "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Radio". Radio Listings of BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Daddy
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Bone
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Maid
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Tears of the Giraffe
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Chief Justice of Beauty
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Confession
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Kalahari Typing School for Men
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Admirer
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Series 3, Part 1: How to Handle Men through the Application of Psychology
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Series 3, Part 2: House of Hope
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Series 3, Part 3: The Return of Note
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Series 3, Part 4: The Ceremony
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: There Is No Such Thing as Free Food
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Best Profession for a Blackmailer
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Very Rude Woman
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Talking Shoes
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Miracle at Speedy Motors
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Seller of Beds
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: An Exceptionally Wicked Lady
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Canoeing for Ladies
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Late Van Just Glimpsed
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Saturday Big Tent Wedding
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Man from a Far Place
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Modern Husband Course
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Dish of Yesterday
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: This Is Not a Rubbish Boy
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Fat Cattle Club
- BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Precious and Grace
- "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The House of Unexpected Sisters". BBC Radio 4. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Colours of All the Cattle". BBC Radio 4. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
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