Yours to own this week in 4K UHD in a ten-disc set: every episode from both seasons of ‘The New Avengers', fully restored and looks sharper and sexier than ever before! Featuring contributions by surviving cast and crew, this is a definitive and comprehensive edition from Studiocanal.
This remarkable box-set contains some fine examples of cult British television at its very best. In the mid-1970s, they brought back the series that had helped to define the Swinging Sixties for one final hurrah. A new decade, a new title: ‘The Avengers' became ‘The New Avengers'.
The reboot contained all of the elements that had made the original so beloved – quirky espionage plots that bordered on science-fiction, with a quintessentially British charm – and added a new dynamic. The dashing, solid, dependable and charismatic John Steed (Patrick Macnee) was back, bearing his signature bowler hat and brolly. His glamorous female sidekick (roles that had helped to launch Honor Blackman and Diana Rigg on the road to stardom) was now Purdey, played by Joanna Lumley. This proved that a leading action role for beautiful women with an abundance of acting talent never did any harm. Lumley has reached the status of national treasure, and fifty years on, she still loves her association with the show and talks about it in the extra features. Thrown into the mix, and recalling the origins of ‘The Avengers' when Ian Hendry and Patrick Macnee played the leads, is a male sidekick, Gambit (Gareth Hunt). Although Hunt didn't always remain on top of the zeitgeist afterwards (to my generation he will forever be the man from the Nescafe coffee adverts) there's no doubting that he's on top of his game, at his peak and endlessly witty and inventive in ‘The New Avengers'. The chemistry between the three leads is what makes the show special, and they are all given their moments to shine. With a catchy, thrilling theme tune by Laurie Johnson and an era-defining title sequence, complete with patriotic Union Jack lion, ‘The New Avengers' announced itself with great confidence.
‘The New Avengers' races out of the starting blocks with ‘The Eagle's Nest'. The big guest star – about as big as the series would boast – is none other than legend of horror Peter Cushing. A British agent is found dead off the coast of a remote Scottish island. His body is stolen by monks. Steed, Purdey and Gambit are sent to investigate the strange goings-on at the isolated monastery, and uncover a covert neo-Nazi organisation led by Professor Von Claus (you guessed it, that man Cushing). The mad Nazi scientist has developed advanced cryogenic technology capable of bringing back the Führer. Our intrepid trio must halt the recrudescence of the Third Reich…
It's worth outlining the plot of the opening episode as it gives a fair idea of what to expect from the show. It is a mixture of silliness and absurdity, or fantasy (to taste) played out with tongue-in-cheek but plenty of gusto. Worth remembering that Roger Moore was playing James Bond at this time, and the taste was for escapism that didn't take itself too seriously.
Over twenty-six episodes there is some variety in quality, but it's worth picking out a few highlights. As an enjoyable bit of continuity, ‘The Last of the Cybernauts?' brings back menacing metal machines seen previously in the original series. It features jobbing character actor and familiar face Robert Gillespie as Goff, one of his small-time crook roles. ‘The Midas Touch' features David Swift as a mad scientist who has created a host for a multitude of deadly diseases. The episode has a good amount of Cold War paranoia. ‘Target' is one of the strongest and most action-driven episodes, showcasing the series’ fast pace and heightened physicality. Director Ray Austin, himself a former stunt coordinator, fills the episode with explosive set pieces and chase sequences that highlight the athleticism of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt. There is an amusing in-joke over the name of the dead agent – Dick Palmer. It guest-stars Keith Barron (‘Duty Free') and Deep Roy (‘Doctor Who', ‘Blake's 7').
‘To Catch a Rat' brings Ian Hendry back into the fold. Hendry has previously led the show during its earliest years, though sadly most of his episodes are missing from the archives. He is on good form as Gunner, a former agent who is playing a deadly game of cat and mouse to learn the identity of ‘The Rat' before the assassin can kill more agents. Joanna Lumley nominates ‘Sleeper' as her favourite episode. It is one where Purdey has a lot of screen time. When a sleeping gas is used to knock out Londoners, criminals embark on a bank robbing spree. An empty London (filmed early in the morning around Westminster) gives the story a dreamlike, apocalyptic quality.
All of these episodes are from season one, and the main weakness of ‘The New Avengers' is that it is front-loaded with classics, but the quality doesn't sustain for the second season, which is probably why it only enjoyed a brief stint on our television screens. ‘Angels of Death' has the feel of traditional ‘Avengers' elements, whilst ‘Obsession' provides Gareth Hunt with more material to get his teeth into. It guest stars Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins, who had so successfully teamed up for ‘The Professionals' at around this time. Although ‘Complex' has a well-trodden concept of a computer vying for world domination, its climactic sequence is memorable.
‘The New Avengers' features solid work from great British talent. Episodes are directed by Robert Fuest (‘The Abominable Dr. Phibes'), and others such as Ray Austin and Sidney Hayers who were behind the camera for many episodes of cult British television of the golden age. Most of the episodes are written by Brian Clemens, the man who created ‘The Avengers' and ‘The Professionals', and who wrote so much quality TV over a long and prolific career. Other episodes were contributed by former ‘Doctor Who' script editor Dennis Spooner. There is high calibre talent throughout the cast and crew members.
The new 4K UHD box set is a superb upgrade from earlier DVD and Blu-ray releases. The picture quality is excellent, providing fans will fully-restored viewing pleasure. This is Steed, Purdey and Gambit as you have never seen them before. There are a host of extra features, some new, some from the archives. The episode introductions are short and never-seen-before. Joanna Lumley introduces ‘Sleeper' and guest actor Caroline Munro provides one for ‘Angels of Death'. You can also enjoy episode commentaries, such as one from the archives with Gareth Hunt and Brian Clemens talking about ‘The Eagle's Nest'. There is a longer interview from the 2010s with stuntwoman Cyd Child, and she also provides introductions and commentaries for selected episodes. A booklet and comic book complete the package, ensuring that ‘The New Avengers' in 4K UHD is the ultimate package for fans and collectors. This is a great example of 1970s cult British television. You'll remember the classy episodes, especially from the first season, and forgive the rather more pedestrian second season.
Cast: Patrick Macnee, Joanna Lumley, Gareth Hunt, Peter Cushing, Robert Gillespie Writers: Brian Clemens, Dennis Spooner Directors: Robert Fuest, Ray Austin, Sidney Heyers Running time: 22 hours Released by: Studiocanal Release date: 10th November 2025 Buy ‘The New Avengers'
This article contains an affiliate link. Purchases through this link may result in us earning a commission.
