A tandem progressive cavity pump system lifts well fluids from a production zone to a well surface. The system provides a first pump and a second pump. The system positions the first pump at the production elevation within the well, and the second pump at an intermediate elevation within the well. The system then connects a discharge of the first pump to an intake of the second pump. The system is then operated so that the first pump lifts well fluids from the production zone to the intermediate zone, depositing the well fluids in the intake of the second pump. The second pump then lifts the well fluids from the intermediate zone to the surface of the well.