Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee in The Avengers
Spy series have been popular TV fare for decades and in the 1960s there was no lack of spy programs on the small screen. Get Smart spoofed the genre with Don Adams’ Agent 86 haplessly trying to prevent KAOS from infiltrating the U.S. government. Dramas like The Man From U.N.C.L.E. – and its Girl From U.N.C.L.E. spinoff – put its heroes in harm’s way, particularly Robert Vaughn’s brilliantly named Napoleon Solo.
One series that many would argue was the best of the bunch was the smart, British-produced The Avengers, which premiered in 1961 and ran until 1969. One constant was Patrick Macnee who portrayed John Steed, an employee of British Intelligence. Always impeccably dressed, usually in a three-piece suit, with a bowler hat and umbrella, Steed was the epitome of British class, charm and wit.
His female counterparts changed frequently but our favorite was Diana Rigg‘s Emma Peel. Rigg’s tenure was during the series’ middle period, from 1965-68 (for which she earned two Emmy nominations) and it’s said that she had never watched the series before her tryout.
Shortly before Rigg’s ascent, the British Invasion had started. On August 4, 1964, The Kinks released their third single – and breakthrough hit – “You Really Got Me.” The song, with its simple, but catchy, lyrics from Ray Davies and iconic guitar riff from Dave Davies, topped the British charts on September 10, before arriving on U.S. shores where it subsequently reached #7.
Related: The Kinks’ shot heard ’round the world
So… why not mashup Emma Peel and “You Really Got Me”? Makes sense to us… it’s our Classic Video…
Rigg, who was born July 20, 1938, went on to star opposite George Lazenby’s James Bond in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, playing 007’s only wife. In 1994, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama. That same year, she earned a Tony Award and later had a recurring role on Game of Thrones.
Related: Rigg died on Sept. 10, 2020
6 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI remember that series, especially with Diana Rigg, she was hot, I was in my early teens, but she looked great
The Avengers was fantastic–but the middle series with Dame Diana was the best. She was definitely smoking!
The Avengers was a unique classic, much of its appeal due to Ms. Rigg. But let’s not forget her wonderful recent appearance with her lovely daughter in “Detectorists.” If you haven’t seen it, your missing one of the all time great series.
“”Steed you really got me now I always wanna be by your side.” Emma Peel(
or was it Steve?)
The classic Macnee – Rigg lineup also had the best theme song at a time when great TV themes were the norm.
She was Sooooo Hot in that Leather Outfit.