Guests
Honor Blackman (Sat)
Honor Blackman played Cathy Gale in 43 episodes of The Avengers. It has been said many times before, but her leather-clad character was the first strong female action hero seen on screen. Before The Avengers, Honor had been with the Rank Organisation appearing in a range of films including So Long at the Fair, A Night to Remember, and the Square Peg. After leaving The Avengers, she took on another iconic role, that of Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger. Since then, she has worked in film, television and theatre – in the latter she recently performed four one-woman shows nationwide.
Linda Thorson (Sat & Sun)
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Linda came to England in 1965 and was cast as Tara King at only twenty years of age, a role she played in 33 episodes of The Avengers. Since leaving the show, Linda has appeared in many television, film and stage productions. Her television appearances include: Thriller, Return of the Saint, Dynasty, The Equalizer, Moonlighting, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Law and Order, and Emmerdale.
Raymond Austin (Sat & Sun)
Raymond Austin was stunt arranger for The Avengers, and directed several episodes for both The Avengers (for example, ‘All Done with Mirrors’ and ‘Have Guns – Will Haggle’) and The New Avengers (and for which he was also the coordinating producer). He has directed many television shows including: The Saint, The Champions, Strange Report, Department S, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Space 1999, Hart to Hart, Magnum P.I., Zorro, and Highlander: The Series. Raymond is also a successful author. He has a new new book coming out in May 2012. Entitled Love love’s a mystery it features DCI Love and Sgt. Darling and is set in Chippenham, Castle Combe and the Cotswolds. Publication is currently scheduled for May 17th with a singing at Barns & Noble Washington DC.. For more details, visit http://www.raymondaustin.com/.
Leonard White (Sat)
Born in Newhaven, actor, director and producer Leonard White produced Police Surgeon starring Ian Hendry and then The Avengers. He was Producer for the first season of the show and fourteen episodes of season two before he moved on to produce Armchair Mystery Theatre and Armchair Theatre. Leonard was the man responsible for casting Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale in The Avengers. It was he who decided to rewrite the role of Dr Keel to become Cathy Gale. His other producing credits include: ITV Playhouse, Pretenders, Sky, The Georgian House, and King of the Castle. During his acting career, he acted alongside Paul Schofield and Michael Redgrave, and was understudy to Dirk Bogarde.
Brian Clemens (Sat & Sun)
Brian Clemens received his first screen credit in 1957 at the age of 26 and is one of the most prolific writers in British film, television, and theatre. He was responsible for writing the pilot for The Avengers with Ray Rigby and was instrumental in transforming the show into a global success with the introduction of Diana Rigg as Mrs Peel. He was unique in being script editor, main script writer and associate producer. Having written over 30 episodes for The Avengers, he has several hundred other credits to his name including: The Professionals, The New Professionals, The New Avengers, Danger Man, The Champions, The Protectors, Remington Steele, The Persuaders, Dr Jeckyl and Sister Hyde, And Soon the Darkness, Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter, and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. In 1972 he formed his own film production company, Mark One Productions with Albert Fennell and Laurie Johnson, which produced The New Avengers and The Professionals. He is currently executive producer of The Professionals movie.
Julie Stevens (Sat)
Julie Stevens is best known for playing nightclub singer Venus Smith in The Avengers (1962-1963) and for presenting Play School (1966-1979). Her television work includes: Play Away, Z Cars, Girls About Town, and Cabbages and Kings. She also played Gloria in Carry on Cleo. For many years she was the manager for comedian/presenter, Harry Secombe.
Anneke Wills (Sun)
Anneke is best known for playing the role of Polly in Dr Who with both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton. She appeared in two Avengers episodes: ‘Dressed to Kill’ and ‘The £50,000 Breakfast’. She then starred in the ITC series, Strange Report with Anthony Quale. She retired from acting in the 1970s, but still attends numerous fan conventions. For more details, visit http://www.annekewills.com/.
John Carson (Sat & Sun)
Born in Sri Lanka, John Carson has a long and distinguished career in film, television, radio and theatre. He appeared in The Avengers three times (four, if one counts The New Avengers). Often compared to James Mason in terms of his velvet tones (which became instantly recognizable in the UK for the Hamlet cigar commercials), John usually played villainous roles, most notably Squire Hamilton in the Hammer horror ‘Plague of the Zombies’. He has over 300 leading television credits with guest leads in Danger Man, The Baron, Man in a Suitcase, The Champions, The Professionals, Secret Army, and Poirot. He has performed in about fifty feature films including: Taste the Blood of Dracula, Captain Kronos, and The Man Who Haunted Himself.
John Hough (Sun)
John Hough directed four episodes of The Avengers (including ‘Super Secret Cypher-Snatch’) and one episode of The New Avengers. He was also second unit director and assistant director on many other Avengers episodes. His television work includes: The Protectors, The Zoo Gang, Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, and Dempsey and Makepeace. He has directed numerous films including: Escape to Witch Mountain, Return to Witch Mountain, and Watcher in the Woods. In 1978 he formed Gainsborough Pictures with Albert Fennell and Laurie Johnson.
Richard Bates (Sat)
Richard Bates replaced John Bryce as story editor halfway through season two and remained in this role throughout season three. His list of credits include: Public Eye (story editor), Armchair Thriller (producer of four episodes), ITV Playhouse (producer of six episodes), Chocky (script consultant), The Tripods (producer), The Darling Buds of May (executive producer, producer), and A Touch of Frost (executive producer).
Richard Harris (Sat & Sun)
Richard Harris is a prolific writer who wrote several episodes of The Avengers including ‘Game’ for season six and ‘The Bigger They Are’ for Police Surgeon. He helped create a number of television shows, most notably Man in a Suitcase, Adam Adamant Lives!, and Shoestring. He has written for many television shows including: The Saint, The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre, Public Eye, The Sweeney, The Darling Buds of May, A Touch of Frost, and The Last Detective.
Jeremy Burnham (Sun)
Jeremy Burnham is notable for having not only written for The Avengers (penning five episodes for Tara King’s tenure in the show, for example ‘False Witness’ and ‘Love All’), but also acting in three episodes that included Emma Peel’s first and last appearances (‘The Town of No Return’ and ‘The Forget Me Knot’). His other writing credits include: Children of the Stones, Minder, Seagull Island, Howard’s Way, and Inspector Morse.
Cyd Child (Sun)
Cyd Child was fight coordinator and stunt double for both Diana Rigg and Linda Thorson. She also worked on The New Avengers as fight arranger. In addition, she has provided stunt work on the television series Blake’s 7 and films such as Superman, Superman 2, and For Your Eyes Only.
Carol Cleveland (Sat & Sun)
Actress Carol Cleveland is best known as the only stable, female member of Monty Python, appearing in all the television series, films and stage shows. As well as The Avengers, she’s featured in other television classics, including: Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), The Persuaders, The Saint, Are You being Served and Only Fools and Horses. She has starred in numerous stage productions including the role of Rusty in Lenny at the Criterion Theatre, London. She last appeared at Chichester’s Festival Theatre in Front Page. Further information visit www.carolcleveland.com
Robert Fuest (Sun)
Robert Fuest directed seven episodes of The Avengers (including ‘Pandora’) and two episodes of The New Avengers. He was also a key production designer on many early episodes of the show. In 1971 he directed the horror cult classic, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, starring Vincent Price. The success of that film resulted in a sequel (which he co-wrote), Dr. Phibes Rises Again.
Howard Blake (Sun)
While Laurie Johnson was busy working on a musical, Howard Blake wrote incidental music for ten Avengers episodes for the show’s final season. He is a celebrated pianist, composer and conductor. Howard has composed many concert works and film scores including: Flash Gordon, The Duellists, The Snowman, The Lords of Discipline, The Bear, and My Life So Far. In 1994 he received an OBE for services to music. For more details, visit his website at http://www.howardblake.com/index.php
Robert Banks Stewart (Sun)
Robert Banks Stewart wrote two episodes for The Avengers: ‘The Master Minds’ and ‘Quick-Quick Slow Death’. He is particularly well known for writing two hugely popular episodes of Doctor Who: ‘Terror of the Zygons’ and ‘Seeds of Doom’. He has also worked as a script editor and producer. His credits include: Armchair Theatre, Rooms, Armchair Thriller, Lovejoy, The Darling Buds of May (producer), and My Uncle Silas. In addition, he created Shoestring (with Richard Harris) and Bergerac.
Terrance Dicks (Sat)
Terrance Dicks is best known as script editor for Doctor Who during Jon Pertwee’s tenure as the Doctor (1970-1974). He penned many of the Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books which have become as fondly remembered as the television series itself. Terrance broke into television when he was asked by his friend, Malcolm Hulke, to co-write an early episode of The Avengers (‘The Mauritius Penny’). With Hulke he also co-wrote three other Avengers episodes: ‘Intercrime’, ‘Concerto’ and ‘Homicide and Old Lace’. His many other credits include writing for Crossroads, Doctor Who, and Moonbase 3, and co-writing two Doctor Who stage plays.
Paul Lewis (Sat)
Paul Lewis composed his first score for a major British TV drama at the age of 20, and for four decades has produced an unending stream of orchestral and instrumental TV scores, production library music and concert works. His first orchestral scores were recorded by mood music libraries when he was 19, and at 20 he became Assistant Musical Adviser to ABC Television, resigning three years later to become a full-time freelance composer.
David Marshall
Art Director and Production Designer, David Marshall has worked on various TV Programmes including Dallas, Fantasy Island and of course, The Avengers. As Production Designer he worked on 6 episodes of The Avengers; The Undertakers, The Medicine Man, Dressed to Kill, Mandrake, The Outside-In Man and Esprit De Corps.
Video Contributions
Patrick Mcnee
Patrick Macnee was offered the role of John Steed by Sydney Newman (then Head of Drama at ABC Television), and he continued to play the character for the entire run of the series. Although he didn’t begin as the star of the series, it was with Ian Hendry’s departure after season one that saw Steed transform into the much loved iconic British gentlemen. Although he is best known for his work in The Avengers, his many film and television appearances include: Night Gallery, Battlestar Galactica, Sea Wolves, A View to a Kill, Murder She Wrote, and The Avengers movie in which he played ‘Invisible Jones’. More details can be found at http://www.patrickmacnee.com/.
Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lumley took the role of Purdey in the sequel to The Avengers – The New Avengers. Often seen as a “national treasure”, Joanna is well known for her activism, most dramatically seen with her support for Gurkha war veterans. Her television and film work is extensive and includes: Coronation Street, Sapphire and Steel, Absolutely Fabulous (playing Patsy Stone), Coming Home, Jam and Jerusalem, Mistresses, Joanna Lumley’s Nile, James and the Giant Peach, and The Corpse Bride.
Roger Marshall
Roger has written many episodes of The Avengers including two celebrated episodes: ‘Mandrake’ and ‘The Hour That Never Was’. Although he has written several films, it is his television work for which he is best known and includes: Armchair Theatre, Special Branch, Public Eye (writer/creator), Zodiac, Rooms, Survivors, The Sweeney, Van der Valk, The Gentle Touch, The Professionals, Mitch, Travelling Man, Floodtide, Ruth Rendell Mysteries, and Lovejoy.
Laurie Johnson
Laurie is a hugely respected film and television composer and conductor. Besides scoring The Avengers from 1965 onwards, he wrote the themes to many other shows including: This is Your Life, Animal Magic, Whicker’s World, World in Action, and Jason King. His film scores include: Dr Strangelove, The First Men in the Moon, and Captain Kronos. In 1972 he formed his own film production company, Mark One Productions with Albert Fennell and Brian Clemens, which produced The New Avengers and The Professionals. In 1978 he formed Gainsborough Pictures with Albert Fennell and John Hough. He is executive producer of The Professionals movie. For more details go to http://www.lauriejohnson.co.uk/lj_biog.htm
Gerry O’Hara
Gerry O’Hara directed two episodes of The Avengers: the classic ‘The Hour That Never Was’ and ‘Small Game for Big Hunters’. He was assistant director on Laurence Olivier’s Richard III, Carol Reed’s Our Man in Havana, and Tony Richardson’s Tom Jones. He directed and co-wrote the controversial film, The Bitch, starring Joan Collins and based on the novel by her sister, Jackie. He has directed and written for television (including The Professionals) and film, and also worked as executive script editor on C.A.T.S. EYES.
Don Leaver
Don Leaver directed twenty episodes of The Avengers including the very first episode, ‘Hot Snow’ starring Ian Hendry. He also directed episodes of the precursor to that show: Police Surgeon. His Avengers episodes include: ‘The Decapod’, ‘Man with Two Shadows’, ‘Esprit de Corps’, ‘The House That Jack Built’, and ‘How to Succeed..at Murder’. Don also produced and directed many significant British Dramas such as Prime Suspect (producer), Touch of Frost, Hammer House of Horror and Bergerac.
