Mrs. Emma Peel

Nothing was cooler in the late 1960's than British spies. And no British spy was cooler than Mrs. Emma Peel of the fab 60's TV show The Avengers.

Emma Peel was portrayed by Diana Rigg, a young theatre actress who auditioned for the show at the time, without any expectations. She was quickly chosen as the new partner for John Steed, the show's lead character.

Mrs. Emma Peel (née Knight), widow of test pilot Peter Peel and heiress of her father's publishing empire, appeared in three Avengers seasons, from 1964 to 1967. The 1967 season was, without a doubt, the best one (What can I say? 1967 was a great year...). It was the first season shot in color, and the chemistry between Mrs. Peel and John Steed was at an all-time high.

Mrs. Peel's wardrobe was fabulous! She personified the sleek, mod look of the period, bringing miniskirts, leather boots and kinky stretch catsuits to the masses.

Emma Peel, definitely not the "damsel-in-distress" type, saved her partner (as well as Britain, and the whole world, for that matter) as often as he saved her. She has become a cult-status icon, and I love her...

photos: (top) ddr.theavengers.tv/(bottom) frodisman.com