The Avengers (TV series)

The Avengers is a British 1960s television series featuring secret agents in a fantasy 1960s Britain. The programmes were made by TV company Associated British Corporation, and the series was created by their then Head of Drama Sydney Newman.

The New Avengers

In the 1970s the series was revived as The New Avengers, with Macnee reprising his role as Steed, this time with two new partners, Mike Gambit (Gareth Hunt) and Purdey (Joanna Lumley). Steed is once again acting without a direct superior (in many ways his character takes on the duties of "Mother" from the Tara King era). Gambit is an athletic action hero, while Purdey, aside from being the show's resident fashion plate, incorporates the wit and fighting skills of her predecessors. An attempt to get Diana Rigg to appear as Emma in the new series was unsuccessful, however archive footage of her from the 1960s was used in order to allow the character to make a cameo appearance in one episode. Ian Hendry, Macnee's original partner, also guest starred in one episode, playing a different role.

Related Topics:
1970s - Gareth Hunt - Joanna Lumley - Fashion plate

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The new series was produced independently by original series producers Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell, with French and later Canadian backing. Two seasons totalling 26 episodes were produced, which were aired on CBS in the United States, CTV network in Canada, ITV in Britain, and in syndication elsewhere. Fans are divided on the merits of the revival, with many suggesting the show lost its magic in the 1970s, and the final half-dozen episodes, titled The New Avengers in Canada as they were filmed and produced there, are generally considered poor.

Related Topics:
Brian Clemens - Albert Fennell - French - Canadian - CBS - United States - CTV network - ITV - Syndication

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