(L to R) Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in ‘The Avengers.’ Photo: ABC Television.
Preview:
- ‘The Avengers’ is returning to TV.
- ‘Industry’ writers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay are behind the show.
- The quirky spy series reboot has yet to find a broadcast home.
When you see word that something called ‘The Avengers’ is getting a reboot, you’d be forgiven for wondering whether Marvel is looking to re-invent itself and bringing in new versions of Tony Stark and co. While in this Multiverse-happy world that’s not out of the realms of possibility, this ‘Avengers’ is nothing to do with the MCU.
Instead, cult 1960s British spy series ‘The Avengers’ is being updated for a modern audience, according to Deadline.
“Saving the World in Style.”
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1 hr 29 minAug 14th, 1998
What’s the story of ‘The Avengers’?
(L to R) Diana Rigg as Emma Peel and Patrick Macnee as John Steed in ‘The Avengers.’ Photo: ABC Television.
The original series, which ran between 1961 and 1969 on ITV in the UK and was created by Sydney Newman. It initially focused on David Keel (Ian Hendry), aided by John Steed (Patrick Macnee). Hendry left after the first series; Steed then became the main character, partnered with a succession of assistants.
His most famous assistants were intelligent, stylish, and assertive women: Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman), Emma Peel (Diana Rigg), and Tara King (Linda Thorson).
A sequel series, ‘The New Avengers’, ran for one season between 1976 and 1977.
While it began as a more down-to-earth espionage series, it became increasingly fantastical, resembling something like the 1960s ‘Batman’ series or the BBC’s ‘Doctor Who’. In the US, it aired on ABC, one of a limited number of British shows to be picked up for primetime in the States.
A big success, it led to all manner of spin-offs, including comics, radio plays and more. It even became a movie, though the 1998 cinematic offering starring Ralph Fiennes as Steed and Uma Thurman was infamously a giant flop, failing to make back its $60 million budget and generating zero sequels.
(L to R) Ralph Fiennes as John Steed and Uma Thurman as Emma Peel in ‘The Avengers.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Who is working on the new ‘Avengers’?
(L to R) Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in ‘The Avengers.’ Photo: ABC Television.
The new series comes from writers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, who have impressed audiences via HBO series ‘Industry’. They’re working alongside ‘Sex Education’ veteran Ben Taylor, who serves as co-creator and will oversee the directing side.
Despite the two main writers’ connection to HBO, the cable channel hasn’t picked up the series, which is being produced by StudioCanal. There’s still a chance that Warner Bros. Discovery (which backs one of the companies involved in the new show) or even Netflix could snap this one up.
When will this new ‘Avengers’ be on screens?
That, right now, is impossible to judge as not only has the series not started shooting, but it has no broadcast home at this point. But given the recognizable title, we’d expect plenty of interest from networks and streamers.
(L to R) Diana Rigg as Emma Peel and Patrick Macnee as John Steed in ‘The Avengers.’ Photo: ABC Television.
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