New Avengers, The (ITV 1976-1977, Patrick MacNee, Joanna Lumley)

Action adventure series. Sequel to The Avengers . Steed is joined by two new assistants the glamourous Purdey and tough Mike Gambit. There was more of an emphasis on  spy stories this time out but still with that quintessential Avengers twist.

Developed by original series producers Albert Fennell and Brian Clemens. The series was produced by The Avengers Enterprises Ltd for the ITV network, cost £125,000 per episode to produce at Pinewood Studios in England and was seen in 120 countries. A joint United Kingdom-France-Canada production, the series picks up the adventures of John Steed as he and his team of “Avengers” fight evil plots and world domination.

Whereas in the original series Steed had almost always been partnered with a woman, in the new series he had two partners: Mike Gambit, a top agent, crack marksman and trained martial artist, and Purdey, a former trainee with The Royal Ballet who was an amalgam of many of the best talents from Steed’s female partners in The Avengers.

production details
UK / ITV – IDTV – Avengers / 26×50 minute episodes / 1976-77

Creator: Brian Clemens / Producers: Brian Clemens, Albert Fennell

cast
PATRICK MACNEE as John Steed
JOANNA LUMLEY as Purdey
GARETH HUNT as Mike Gambit

EPISODE GUIDE
SEASON ONE
1. THE EAGLE’S NEST
2. HOUSE OF CARDS
3. THE LAST OF THE CYBERNAUTS …??
4. THE MIDAS TOUCH
5. CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS
6. TARGET!
7. TO CATCH A RAT
8. THE TALE OF THE BIG WHY
9. FACES
10. GNAWS
11. DIRTIER BY THE DOZEN
12. SLEEPER
13. THREE HANDED GAME

SEASON TWO
1. DEAD MEN ARE DANGEROUS
2. ANGELS OF DEATH
3. MEDIUM RARE
4. THE LION AND THE UNICORN
5. OBSESSION
6. TRAP
7. HOSTAGE
8. K IS FOR KILL: THE TIGER AWAKES (1)
9. K IS FOR KILL: TIGER BY THE TAIL (2)
10. COMPLEX
11. FORWARD BASE
12. THE GLADIATORS
13. EMILY

 

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.