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HBO’s ‘No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ will compete for best drama series at the Emmys

From the website Gold Derby by Tom O’Neil

There’s been some confusion among Emmy-watchers over whether HBO’s “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” which debuts on March 29, will compete at the Emmys as a miniseries or a drama series.

HBO’s Emmy gurus tell Gold Derby that it will qualify in the drama series lineup since the program has more than the requisite six episodes airing during the Emmy eligibility period — the network will air seven.

“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” stars American R&B singer-actress Jill Scott as “fat and fabulous” Precious Ramotswe, who’s devoted to solving crimes in Botswana, and Anika Noni Rose (Tony Award winner for “Caroline — Or Change” and star of the film version of “Dreamgirls”) as her hyper, officious assistant.

The show had a successful launch on the BBC in the U.K. over the last week, drawing more than 5 million TV viewers. One reviewer for the London Times offered praise, as he put it, giving it three out of five stars. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gives it a “B” grade, noting that it’s full of “glowing cheerfulness” while calling it “feel-good television in a way that’s startling from HBO, home of dark, rich stuff like ‘The Wire’ and ‘Six Feet Under.’ ” However, Tucker adds, “Just because this tale of a jolly detective is light doesn’t mean it’s slight.”

We get an early Emmy prognosis from a moderator of The Envelope’s message-boards who lives in the U.K., Andrew Pickett (known as “andrew” in our forums with a lower-case “a” because he’s so modest) who viewed the TV launch. He reports:

A late and possibly a big entrant into the drama series races at the Emmys arrives on HBO on March 29th when the late Anthony Minghella’s (“The English Patient”) pilot for “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” premieres. The series based on the best-selling novels by Alexander McCall Smith stars Grammy winner Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe and “Dreamgirls’” Anika Noni Rose as her assistant Grace Makutsi. The pilot episode is Academy Award-winning director Anthony Minghella’s final film and a fitting tribute which should be rewarded with at least a directing nomination when the Emmy nominees are announced in July. He also co-wrote the episode with Oscar nominee Richard Curtis (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”).

The series is shot entirely on location in Botswana and looks very different from the majority of competitors for this year’s emmy awards. With HBO’s campaigning multiple emmy nominations seem very likely, it will be competing in the drama series categories and while the series race could be too crowded with “Lost,” “Mad Men,” “24,” “House,” “Dexter” and “Damages” among the favorites it still could surprise and make it in.

More possible are lead actress for Scott, where she could be head to head with “ER”’s Angela Bassett to become the first African American lead actress Emmy winner in a drama series. Anika Noni Rose looks like a good bet for at least a supporting nomination as she has a good range on display, as well as an accent, so a win could be possible. Behind the scenes nominations should be plentiful as the series looks beautiful and writing is likely too as the dialogue is very entertaining, but also authentic.

“The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” is a breath of fresh air in this mostly disappointing year for new series and could very well make a big impact on the Emmys as well as with audiences.