'Detective Agency' finds big auds

Telepic is a ratings winner for the BBC

By ARCHIE THOMAS

Minghella

Anthony Minghella's last project was TV's 'The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.'

LONDON — The debut of the late Anthony Minghella’s final film “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” proved an Easter Sunday hit for BBC1, pulling 6.3 million viewers.

The African-set telepic, based on Alexander McCall Smith’s novel, attracted a 27% share of auds between 9 p.m. and 10.45 p.m.

“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” aired just days after Minghella, director of “The English Patient,” passed away in a London hospital following an operation.

“Detective Agency” had nearly twice the viewers of closest rival – ITV1’s crime thriller “He Kills Coppers,” which averaged a 15% share.

On Easter Sunday afternoon, Sky Sports 1 was the most popular channel across all networks as the top four sides in the English soccer top division – Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – locked horns in much-hyped back-to-back clashes. Both games peaked at 2.9 million viewers as they neared conclusion.