DETECTIVE NOVEL HEADS FOR BBC ONE!

A drama based on The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, the novel by Alexander McCall Smith, is to be among BBC One's winter highlights. Screenwriter Richard Curtis will adapt the book, which covers the adventures of detective Precious Ramotswe. Singer and actress Jill Scott will take the lead role in the 90-minute film. "It's an entertaining and optimistic story, offering a very different insight to Africa than we are used to seeing," said controller Roly Keating. The entire drama will be filmed on location in Botswana.

BBC One's winter schedule also contains a series telling of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ. The Passion, written by Emmy Award-winner Frank Deasy and developed by Nigel Stafford-Clark, will be scheduled across one week in the run-up to Easter, in March. The Passion will be shown in the week before Easter. JaJoseph Mawle plays Jesus Christ and James Nesbitt will take the role of Pontius Pilate.

Sir David Attenborough is aiming to "transform perceptions" of cold-blooded animals in Life in Cold Blood, another landmark wildlife documentary series.

Two historic classics have been dramatised for the schedule too - Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, and Flora Thompson's Lark Rise to Candleford.

A fresh set of contestants will compete in a new series of The Apprentice for a job working for Sir Alan Sugar.

And Crimewatch returns with a new presenting team led by Kirsty Young, as it enters its 24th year on BBC One.

BBC NEWS REPORT.