60 years of Emma Peel: Martial Arts

28th August 2025

As we celebrate 60 years of Emma Peel in 2025, Art & Hue takes a look at Emma Peel’s martial arts skills which redefined female action heroines.

From the first moment we’re introduced to Emma Peel in The Avengers, wearing a black catsuit and fencing mask, it’s clear that Steed’s new crime-fighting partner is like no-one we’ve seen before.

Emma Peel’s fight scenes were groundbreaking for their time, showcasing her as a skilled martial artist and action hero. Her combat style was elegant yet effective, proficient in karate and fencing, and later kung fu. These scenes were choreographed to highlight her agility and intelligence, making her a formidable opponent for any villain.

What set Emma apart was her ability to hold her own in physical confrontations. Her fights were not just about brute strength but also strategy and finesse. This approach made her a role model for women, proving that they could be strong, graceful, and witty.

Emma Peel’s fight scenes have influenced countless female action heroes in popular culture. Emma Peel was a pioneer, redefining what it meant to be a female action star, and her legacy lives on in the way modern characters are portrayed in action sequences.

When it comes to iconic action heroes, Emma Peel from The Avengers stands in a league of her own on the global stage.

Long before female action stars became more commonplace, Emma was breaking barriers with her impressive martial arts skills and groundbreaking fight scenes.

In the 1960s, female characters on television were often relegated to passive roles, but Emma Peel shattered that mould.

Trained in karate, fencing and later kung fu, Emma was a skilled martial artist who could hold her own against any opponent. Her fights were a revelation, combining elegance, precision, and raw power in a way that had never been seen before in a female character on the global stage.

Unlike the male-dominated action heroes of the time, Emma relied on intelligence, agility, and technique rather than brute strength, such as clicking her fingers to disorientate the enemy, making her a unique and compelling character.

Emma Peel’s predecessor Cathy Gale was portrayed by the iconic Honor Blackman. Trained in judo to brown belt level (which is just one below a black belt), Honor pioneered martial arts for women on British TV (Cathy Gales is widely regarded by many to be the first independent female character on British television) and was so powerful at performing her own stunts that she accidentally knocked out stuntman & TV wrestler Jackie Pallo during a fight scene.

But it was Diana Rigg who took the martial arts of karate and kung-fu globally when The Avengers was sold to an American network, subsequently airing in countries around the world. Dame Diana Rigg was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate on Paul O’Grady’s TV show to acknowledge she was the first Western actress to perform kung fu on television.

Beyond her impact on screen, Emma Peel also inspired real-world women to take up martial arts and self-defence. Honor Blackman released a self-defence book in October 1965 (after she left The Avengers for her starring role in the Bond film “Goldfinger”), co-written by stuntmen Doug & Joe Robinson. Whilst popular in the UK, it was Emma Peel‘s global appeal which brought martial arts into homes across the world. Her character showed that physical strength and confidence were not just the domain of men, empowering women to embrace their own power and independence. Emma’s influence extended far beyond the world of fiction, making her a true cultural icon.

Honor Blackman's book of self-defence with Doug & Joe Robinson

A New Kind of Action Hero

Emma’s martial arts skills were not just for show, they were an integral part of her character. Whether she was disarming a villain with a well-timed throw or outmanoeuvring a group of henchmen, her fights were always strategic and purposeful.

This emphasis on skill and intelligence set her apart from other action heroes and made her a role model for women everywhere.

Emma Peel proved that a woman could be both graceful and powerful, challenging stereotypes and redefining gender roles on screen.

Played by the talented Diana Rigg, and trained by stunt arranger Ray Austin, Emma Peel was not just a spy, she was a trailblazer who redefined what it meant to be a woman in action and had a lasting impact on the action genre.

One of the most astonishing and memorable aspects of Emma’s fight scenes was their creativity.

From snapping her fingers before disarming a villain to spinning a prison guard above her head, Emma’s resourcefulness added a layer of wit and ingenuity to the action.

These moments not only showcased her physical prowess but also her quick thinking and adaptability, making her a truly multidimensional character.

60 years of Mrs Peel: Martial Artist Ray Austin

Emma Peel’s fight scenes were revolutionary for their time, thanks in large part to Diana Rigg’s dedication to the role. With Cyd Child as her fearless stunt double for more demanding moments, Rigg performed many of her own stunts, adding authenticity and intensity to the action. Her background in theatre and physicality brought a level of sophistication to the fight choreography, making each scene a masterclass in precision and timing. From high-energy brawls to one-on-one duels, Emma’s fights were always a highlight of the show.

A Lasting Legacy

Emma Peel’s influence on the action genre cannot be overstated. Her martial arts skills and fight scenes paved the way for countless female action heroes who followed in her footsteps.

Many characters who followed owe a debt to Emma Peel, who proved that women could be just as compelling and capable as their male counterparts. Her legacy is evident in the way modern action heroines are portrayed, with an emphasis on skill, intelligence, and resourcefulness.

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Emma Peel, it’s clear that her martial arts skills and fight scenes are an essential part of her cultural impact. She was a pioneer who redefined what it meant to be a woman in action, blending strength, intelligence, and style in a way that continues to inspire audiences today.

Here’s to Emma Peel: the spy who didn’t just fight villains but also fought to change the way we see women on screen.

It’s Mrs Emma Peel month!

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”.

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

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.

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.