Before James Bond would take to the big screen and save the world many times over, English television launched a popular espionage-based show in 1966 that would eventually find its way to American TV screens. The Avengers would go on to become the longest running spy series of all time. 

Wearing a bowler hat and never without his umbrella, secret agent, Jonathan Steed (Patrick MacNee) was dapper and debonair as he struggled to protect the Queen’s country each week. At his side when the series debuted in America was the intelligent and beautiful Emma Peel (Diana Rigg,) the third in a series of female agents that had accompanied the super sleuth since the show’s introduction. Unlike the tendencies of James Bond, Steed kept his romantic hands off of his cohort and their relationship was one of mutual respect.

Each week’s episode began with some strange event that occurred, requiring Steed and Peel to step in with a variety of fanciful gadgetry and face off against dastardly villains played by such notables as Donald Sutherland, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. At the end of the show, the heroes would ride off into the sunset in some mode of transportation unique to each episode, having saved the day yet again.

Emma Peel was a favorite among viewers with her stunning good looks (a jumpsuit never looked better) and her ability to match wits and friendly banter with the show’s star. Surprisingly, much of their comedic exchanges each week were actually improvised.

A notable change in the lineup occurred in 1968 when Diana Rigg left the series. To explain the change, it was offered that Emma was reunited with her husband who had been missing and assumed to be dead. Tara King would pick up the sidekick torch for the remainder of the series. After a four-year run on American television, The Avengers would be canceled in 1969 and yet, live on perpetually in 120 countries in rerun form for years to come.

In 1976, the short-lived The New Avengers attempted unsuccessfully recapture the magic of the original series. Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman would also bring Steed and Peel to the big screen in 1998. Meanwhile, both original stars each took a turn appearing in James Bond films. MacNee would appear in A View to a Kill and Rigg in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – proving that once one gets bitten by the espionage bug, it’s a hard habit to break.