60 years of Mrs Emma Peel

28th July 2025

60 years of Mrs Emma Peel. In the run up to the 60th anniversary, Art & Hue celebrates the impact & legacy of the trailblazing spy.

2025 marks 60 years since Mrs Peel first debuted on British television in September 1965.

On the 28th of September 1965, audiences were introduced to Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in the first episode of the new series of “The Avengers” called “The Town of No Return”.

Airing first on the Rediffusion London and Scottish Television channels on September 28th 1965 at 8pm, the fourth series had new iconic theme music by Laurie Johnson and a new title sequence.

To mark 60 years of Mrs Emma Peel, Art & Hue has added a new RGB colourway of the Titles pop art prints inspired by “The Avengers” title sequence featuring Diana Rigg & Patrick Macnee.

The Avengers Titles Pop art by Art & Hue

2025 marks 60 years of Mrs Peel

The Town of No Return

The Avengers visit the seaside village of Little Bazeley by the Sea to investigate the disappearances of multiple agents.

To say any more about the plot would risk spoiling the joy for a first time viewer but suffice to say it’s a great introductory episode, with snappy dialogue, mystery, and jeopardy.

With Patrick Newell in a short-lived cameo (he would return in later shows as Mother) and Terence Alexander (as Piggy Warren), the first episode of the new series was the perfect blend of menace, humour, and style to introduce Diana Rigg as Mrs Emma Peel.

The episode is packed with iconic scenes, from the fencing introduction (during which we learn that Mrs Peel has just written a scientific article for publication), to afternoon tea on the train (with milk, no lemon).

Mrs Peel wins all round, conquering the baddies as well as viewers, all whilst looking fabulous in John Bates clothing.

Under the label Jean Varon, Bates provided a striking op-art capsule wardrobe for the new series, featuring pieces and accessories that perfectly complemented Emma Peel’s modernity and independence.

“The Avengers” was the first television show to have a fashion range available in stores so fans could buy Mrs Peel’s wardrobe.

Shops stocked footwear made by Rayne, Dents gloves, Charnos & Echo hosiery, berets by Kangol, and Jean Varon clothing made under license by various firms.

Despite being the first episode to air with Mrs Peel, it was actually the 14th to be filmed with Diana Rigg (glossing over the initial attempt to film “The Town of No Return” with Elizabeth Shepherd), on location in Norfolk and at Elstree Studios.

Filming commenced on this particular episode 34 weeks into production, by which point it seems clear the creative team had firmly established the tone of the new series and Diana Rigg was fully immersed in the role of Mrs Peel.

The result is a most impactful Avengers debut that resonated with British television viewers and would go on to captivate international audiences.

Mrs Peel Titles Pop art in Greys by Art & Hue

Happy 60th anniversary of The Avengers’ Mrs Emma Peel!

Celebrating the impact & legacy of the trailblazing spy.

Emma Peel was a trailblazer in the world of television, defining what it meant to be a female action hero. At a time when women on TV were often relegated to passive roles, Emma was intelligent, capable, and fiercely independent. Her character challenged traditional gender norms, offering a new model of femininity that resonated with audiences during the burgeoning feminist movement of the 1960s.

Her influence extended far beyond The Avengers, inspiring a generation of female characters in film, TV, and comics with many modern heroines owing a debt to Emma Peel’s groundbreaking portrayal. She proved that a woman could be both glamourous and powerful, paving the way for more complex and dynamic female leads in action and spy genres.

Even today, Emma Peel remains a cultural icon, celebrated for her wit, strength, and style. Her legacy is a testament to the enduring appeal of characters who defy stereotypes and break new ground. By embodying the spirit of the 1960s while transcending it, Emma Peel continues to inspire and empower audiences around the world.

Emma Peel revolutionised fashion with her practical and stylish outfits; revolutionised the perception of women on screen, with her martial arts and car driving skills, and was always the smartest person in the room.

When The Avengers introduced Emma Peel in “The Town of No Return” on the 28th of September 1965, British television was forever changed. Her debut marked a shift from the gritty noir tone of the earlier seasons toward a more stylish, playful, and surreal espionage adventure.

Played with effortless charm and sharp wit by Diana Rigg, Emma Peel was unlike any female character on TV at the time.

She was a rare blend of intelligence, elegance, and physical prowess, every bit John Steed’s equal (and often superior), both in wits and in combat.

Her arrival not only revitalised the show but also turned it into a pop culture phenomenon, attracting audiences on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world.

From the moment she strolled onto the screen, clad in sleek monochrome and exuding a razor-sharp wit, it was clear that television had a new icon. She was sophisticated, fiercely intelligent, and entirely unflappable; an equal to John Steed, rather than his sidekick.

In her very first scene, viewers were given a taste of her character’s trademark blend of flirtation and self-assurance. When Steed visits her home to discuss their latest mission, Emma casually fences with him while wearing her black catsuit. This playful, yet confident introduction set the tone for their dynamic – a relationship of equals, laced with banter and mutual respect – and their chemistry became one of the most compelling elements of the series.

Unlike many female sidekicks of the era, Emma was never reduced to a damsel in distress, unless it was tongue-in-cheek such as the parody of being tied to a train track. Instead, she fought her own battles, frequently rescuing Steed or solving the case herself, perfectly captured in the touching conclusion of “The House that Jack Built” when Steed rushes in to save Emma only to discover that she didn’t need his help after all.

Emma Peel also introduced a new level of sophistication and fantasy to The Avengers. While the show had always been stylish, her era amplified the surreal, comic book-inspired aesthetic. Episodes like “The Winged Avenger” and “A Touch of Brimstone” (featuring her notorious Queen of Sin costume) demonstrated the show’s increasing experimentation with both storytelling and visual flair. Her presence allowed the series to embrace quirkier, more avant-garde narratives, often blending espionage with science fiction, absurdist comedy, and surrealism.

Beneath the wit and glamour, however, Emma Peel was also a symbol of the modern woman. Her name itself was a play on the phrase “M(an) Appeal,” indicating her intended sex-symbol status. Yet, she transcended the male gaze, becoming an icon of independent femininity.

She was just as likely to throw a karate chop as she was to deliver a sly one-liner. Her fighting skills, refusal to be patronised, and sharp intellect made her a feminist trailblazer, though the term was rarely applied at the time.

Equality extended off-screen when, discovering the cameramen were getting paid more, Diana Rigg requested a pay rise. Painted as difficult at the time, her pursuit of fairness only added to her feminist icon status.

Ultimately, Emma Peel’s on-screen impact extended beyond The Avengers. She helped redefine the female action hero archetype, paving the way for future characters. Her mix of style, skill, and self-assurance remains as effortlessly cool today as it was in 1965. Whether dispatching henchmen with a high kick or trading witticisms with Steed over champagne, Emma Peel epitomised the elegance and danger of 60s spy fiction, making her an enduring icon of the genre.

What propelled Emma further than her predecessor, Cathy Gale (played by Honor Blackman), was her unique combination of charm, humour (Cathy could be tetchy with Steed), and physical prowess taken to the global stage when The Avengers was sold to an American network.

While Cathy had been a trailblazer in her own right on British TV (widely regarded by many to be the first independent female character on British television), Emma brought a lighter touch to the show which was broadcast around the world, with a playful rapport that made her partnership with Steed one of TV’s most captivating duos.

Their flirtatious, champagne-sipping chemistry was a masterclass in unspoken tension, one that never needed resolving (although the actors had decided privately that they had been linked in the past, despite the script of “The Town of No Return” being quite specific about the present).

One of the reasons Emma Peel became such an enduring character was the sheer range and versatility of her role. She could engage in highbrow philosophical banter one moment and deliver a perfectly timed judo throw the next. This balance was key to The Avengers’ unique blend of espionage, surrealism, and British eccentricity. She faced off against robotic assassins, deadly computers, and many diabolical masterminds. Whatever the situation, she maintained a cool detachment and a devastatingly quick wit, making her one of television’s first truly independent action heroines.

Her departure in “The Forget-Me-Knot” was a moment of genuine sadness for fans but it was handled with characteristic charm and an iconic handover on the stairs with Tara King discussing tea.

Though her time on the show was reasonably brief, Diana Rigg’s portrayal of Emma Peel left an indelible mark, not just on The Avengers, but on television history as a whole. She wasn’t just Steed’s partner, she was a cultural revolution in leather boots.

A feminist trailblazer, an action hero, and a symbol of modern womanhood in an era of rapid social change, her impact rippled through the culture of the 1960s and beyond, paving the way for future generations of female characters who would break free from traditional roles and take centre-stage in action-packed narratives.

She was a master of martial arts, an accomplished investigator, and a brilliant strategist. Her dynamic with Steed was always one of equals. Emma’s self-sufficiency and strength made her a role model for many women at the time and subsequently, sending the clear message that women could be intelligent, strong, and stylish, without needing to rely on men to define them. This portrayal was groundbreaking, offering a fresh model for femininity at a time when traditional gender roles were being challenged on multiple fronts.

Her legacy also lies in how she redefined the role of women in media. Emma Peel wasn’t a one-dimensional beauty, she was a fully fleshed-out character who could outsmart, outfight, and outwit her opponents, all while looking impeccably stylish.

In this sense, she became a precursor to all other strong, independent women in television and film that came after.

Emma’s character proved that women could lead the action, carrying entire franchises with grace and grit, inspiring countless women in media who wanted to see themselves reflected in roles that weren’t just about being beautiful but about being strong, resourceful, and multifaceted.

When Sean Connery decided to move on from Bond, it was no coincidence that Diana Rigg was cast in George Lazenby‘s first (and only) outing as the secret agent. With a global fan base from The Avengers, Diana was very much the star of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and helped to keep the franchise going.

Emma’s cultural impact has remained a lasting force. Her character represents the freedom and self-determination that marked the 1960s, and as modern audiences rediscover The Avengers, her spirit of adventure, independence, and wit still resonates.

For anyone seeking to tap into the essence of modern femininity, empowerment, and style, Emma Peel remains an unmatched icon, one who will continue to influence pop culture for generations to come.

Celebrating the impact & legacy of Mrs Emma Peel’s 60th anniversary

With the new colour option of RGB which references the colours of televisions, the Titles prints are now available in three sizes & three colour options, Art & Hue’s signature colours of Red, Yellow & Aqua, and Tonal Greys similar to the black-and-white series in which Mrs Peel made her debut.

An official collaboration with Studiocanal, these prints are part of the collection of stylish pop art by Art & Hue inspired by images from the photographic archives of the cult 1960s British TV show The Avengers.