Dame Diana Rigg on The Avengers | BFI

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Five decades since she first appeared as Emma Peel in The Avengers (1961-1969), fans of the show still approach Dame Diana Rigg to express their gratitude. Rigg joins BFI curator Dick Fiddy to reflect on the influence of Peel on real-life women and acting with Patrick Macnee and Ian Hendry.
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[@jettcarlburg356]

Her kind words at 01:00 about how Patrick Macnee helped her. What a class act and a great lady. May she RIP

[@mcmlxii4419]

She was truly a class act to the very end. She will be sorely missed.

[@margaretbrown2671]

I heard the sad news of this lady's death on the radio the day she died. I was driving home from work at the time and was only a short distance from home. By the time I arrived in my driveway I was in floods of tears. I was not prepared for the way I reacted to the news of her leaving this world. A Yorkshire born girl who came from a working class background and emerged to make her mark as a celebrated and talented actress. She was a childhood female icon of mine and upon hearing the news of her death, a part of my childhood died. My thoughts immediately turned to her daughter, son in law and young grandson. My deepest sympathy, love and prayers go to them at this time. RIP Dame Diana Rigg; you will never be forgotten by the people who loved and admired you. You have left us a legacy of some wonderful acting roles you performed over the years which will now be all the more relished and treasured by me and your millions of fans/admirers worldwide. The world was enriched with you in it and all the poorer without you. God bless. xx

[@robertdry5256]

Well said...an amen. Emma Peele was my childhood crush an still is.

[@williams3631]

I also loved Diana. I was 11 in '65, and from the first time seeing her in the Avengers I became completely entranced with her. There wasn't a woman in the world like her, and never will be ! RIP , with love !

[@arricammarques1955]

The Avengers box set a worthy investment.

[@eliassouza5958]

Faço minha suas palavras. Aqui do Brasil Manaus Amazonas.

[@selmacyrinebelhadi6141]

So witty, so pretty, so lovely ! Rest in peace Diana Rigg. You were a great inspiration to us, you made us feel that girls could make it brilliantly in a man's world. I loved the early series in black and white, the elegant skirt suits and hairstyles, and above all Emma Peel's humour, always unexpected and sparkling. Great lady !

[@angelabarone103]

Some of the comments are very cruel as if they won't age she was beautiful than as she is now God bless you Diana

[@mymanjosquin]

Angela Barone i am so happy she remains a natural beauty. so many actors overdue the surgeries & ruin themselves.

[@gillesguillaumin6603]

She's seductive, today and forever. Time is not important.

[@jsmithmultimediatech]

I think its amazing when women show their age, as Adam Hills said it shows you've had a life, better than the likes (though its terribly sad she died) Joan Rivers ugh no thats not a great way to look to be honest.

[@jehovahschild4915]

Amen

[@basilmarasco1975]

"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety." Shakespeare (of course) "Antony and Cleopatra"

[@moondra3481]

RIP Diana Rigg. 9.10.20 One of the most beautiful women passed on today. :(

[@osmarorsi5255]

Noooo!!!! Please !!!! No me digas eso !!! Tengo 63 años y siempre amé a esa mujer. God bless she

[@codyluka8355]

RIP. Loved her work.

[@richardyoung9024]

I did not realize Diana had died until I looked up her name and said she had died on September 10, 2020 at age 82. RIP Diana aka Emma Peel. I did not hear anything about her death, not a peep.

[@Steeyuv]

I cried that day. The world is poorer.

[@moondra3481]

@@richardyoung9024 I know it's so sad. If it had not been the fact that I subscribe to The Hollywood Reporter I never would have known, the second I received the notification I came here to this page. It is one of my favorite interviews with her. :( I also let the Game of Thrones fans know on my favorite scene with her as well.

[@jeffsullivan2044]

As a character, there'll never be another like Mrs Peel. As an actor: there'll never be another Dame Diana Rigg. Both stand- alone! OMG..... R I P ...you'll be missed ( I feel I just lost a big piece of my childhood ).

[@JettBlast]

I loved how Steed and Peel were equal and had great love and respect as partners in friendship and professional life. She displayed real "Girl Power" and stood beside her co-worker and they both were a force to be reckoned with...

[@jaypayton4209]

Mrs.Peel...We’re Needed. RIP Dame Diana Rigg 1938-2020

[@Tark75ifty]

She embodied class, beauty and talent at the same time. As a frenchman, she represented for me in "Avengers" with Patrick Mac nee, all the charm and British humor. In black leather, A pistol in the right hand and a glass of Champagne in the left. Gorgeous ! Adieu Madame Rigg.

[@steffanhoffmann]

An admirable accolade and analysis. 👏

[@danielhamilton2157]

She's a legend in my book, this just makes me want to sit down with her over a bottle of choice, an open fire crackling away, laughing and listening to the stories she has to tell. She still has that sparkle.

[@JohnCee754]

RIP Dame Diana Rigg -- my goodness I had such a crush on Emma Peel when I was a kid. Beautiful, smart, sexy and more than a little dangerous!

[@dah960]

I think my first crush too. Mrs Peel, You're still needed. RIP Diana

[@felixfedre518]

Yes i think all us boys back in the 60s adored Emma Peel, she created an image of a woman hard for reality to live up to. Later as a grown man, I think I was always subconsciously searching for my Emma Peel.

[@TralfazConstruction]

I was nine years old when The Avengers debuted in the US and I was drawn in by Mrs. Peel's wit. Also, I couldn't figure how she'd be running around as a married lady with John Steed. Oh well, gender roles and so forth. It wasn't until I saw a TV Guide profile on Diana Rigg's Avengers' outfits that I really took notice of how lovely she was. The article stuck in memory with one outfit in particular, the "Emma Peeler", that caught my attention. I was ten years old when I read that article in '66.

[@athb4hu]

Me too :-)

[@codyluka8355]

I think a lot of guys had a bit of a crush on Diana when she played Mrs. Peel. I sure did...along with my father and my brother. When she wore those catsuit, she was dangerously sexy but in a way that was classy. She was total class all the way.

[@darrenalbertson-digitaldus6227]

She still has that glint in her eye and that one-sided smirk...

[@dalemcilwain]

The Avengers, The Saint, & The Prisoner were my favorite British TV shows. Diana Rigg is still one classy lady.

[@nonosays]

She was and remains a great beauty, a great artist, a great woman.

[@robertdry5256]

You've said it all Noelle!!!

[@peterfarrelly483]

She is still so beguiling. One the most beautiful female actors in our lives.

[@_23_7_02]

"His reign was long." rest in peace Diana Rigg. the world lost a great actress. 😭 😢 🎭 ⚰

[@postersandstuff]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3S7iHpsqdFgo7M Met her at EMS '11 , got some amazing Avengers and Bond stuff signed....RIP

[@IanP1963]

Her reign was long you mean !!!!

[@johnwsmith5]

we all die its just a question of when

[@mikesaunders4775]

Farewell to the ultimate woman of the nineteen-sixties. RIP.

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

I'm one of those women Dame Diana Rigg mentions as those who were inspired by her AVENGERS character, Emma Peel. But it wasn't just the character, as Rigg claims--it was her performance as Emma Peel. She made that Super Lady believable!

[@stephenking6396]

Diana Rigg is just wonderful. What a classy lady

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

The Avengers has never been topped, and stands up so well. For many women, Dame Diana (and Mrs Peel) were a new dawn of possibility for us. She was utterly inspirational. "Mrs Peel, you're needed." Forever. 💔👏👏👏

[@arricammarques1955]

Charmed & gifted actress.

[@midget1141]

She was so beautiful back in the day. And still looks good today

[@jimmygentile3354]

I watched the Avengers just to watch her. Good interview..

[@rudythecat7320]

Absolutely charming woman. I've always had a crush on her, and still do.

[@carolynnunes3922]

My father said that Emma Peel was the only woman that he’d ever leave my mother for, and she said that she’d be understanding if it ever happened...both of my parents loved Dame Diana Rigg, and, of course, Sir Patrick MacNee. I did and still do love the Avengers.

[@AstralPixie]

Your parents sound terrific.

[@127cmore]

That's so lovely

[@liberte5847]

Yure RIGHT no way! BRAVO! MERCI BEAUCOUP! Emmanuel from Paris

[@Pauldjreadman]

One in a million.

[@thomaspick4123]

The brain is still working. When men age, they can look more distinguished. When women age..., well.

[@maxwellfan55]

What a gal. The eloquence, the mannerisms, the charm, all still there in beautiful abundance. Oh Mrs Peel!

[@osmarorsi5255]

Desde Argentina, feliz cumpleaños Para este 20 de julio. God bless, Diana. Omar

[@captainnice9698]

I've never seen anyone with more of a zest for life than Diana. Wish she was still with us.

[@lindas.martin2806]

She seems like a truly lovely person.

[@billtierney2201]

If you haven't seen Dame Rigg in "Evil under the Sun," make a point of it. She makes the film.

[@marcjohnson4385]

Remember the last episode when Emma Peel's husband is found and comes to pick her up Patrick Macnee looks out the window to see him, he is almost a carbon copy of Patrick Macnee and he gets that smile as they drive away

[@IanP1963]

Spot on !!!!!

[@michaelbrickley2443]

Marc Johnson, he was Patrick Macnees’ stunt double

[@anonymas1582]

"she was a very very potent influence in women claiming their place in the world" amen, sister

[@johngolofit1208]

That was then and this is now. Time passes for all but the memories of Diana Rigg in the 1960s Avengers will live on forever. The 1960s will live on forever-in our minds...

[@dennisesplin3285]

Diana didn't suffer fools gladly. I was one of the fools asking her for two autographs. She told me off. Best costar for Bond. She was sheer class and radiant. Best Bond film with great music was OHMSS. George Lazenby laughed when I told him he was the best Bond. Great sport. God Bless Diana X

[@keithwebb658]

Lazenby was underrated. He didn't fit their mould for Bond. It was one of the best Bond movies. Diana was superb, it was a a natural progression from Emma Peel.

[@antonioszytulskyj8165]

Youth fades away but not the beauty inside and class. A wonderful woman

[@tomsmith5216]

Tha Avengers and The Prisoner...2 of the best shoes to come out of British TV.

[@georgcantor7172]

Benny Hill was the greatest of all time.

[@iconicshrubbery]

Sir Lou Grade was the Master shoemaker, indeed.

[@ronaldganze8965]

Diana Rigg's shoes have never fit me . . .

[@royrj5517]

Couldn't make anything like that anymore...someone would find some PC or sexist about it, it would probably be too white

[@paulrawes]

And Man In A Suitcase.

[@barcyorky]

She's totally devoted to giving excellent performances and always does, she's also grounded and delightful which is why she never takes herself too seriously and never behaves in a star like way. I adore her, always have!

[@robbirob5561]

From 4:00 on , it shows her great character when she Talks about Patrick when she decided to leave AVENGERS and how he helped her... Wonderful EMMA ....you re still needed in these times...

[@biroldjoshan3745]

RIP Dame Diana Rigg...beautiful woman

[@stevewaldock4379]

Diana Rigg, delightful to the end.

[@debbie7290]

Diana Rig as Emma Peel was my hero as a teenager.I couldn'wait for every new episode.

[@SteveWeaverIvyfield]

I'm so lucky. I met her in Birmingham at the Alexander Theatre during the run she did with Keith Michelle of Abelard & Heloise. She was lovely. I met her backstage and got her autograph. I absolutely LOVED her in The Avengers. The best female lead by far.

[@sabineg4243]

What a beautiful, smart, wonderful person, young or old, doesn’t matter. Just love her. My childhood idol ❤️

[@gtrman9706]

She was so beautiful then and so elegant now. That "Cat Suit" ! 😆😆😆

[@jctorontojctoronto]

Dame Diana Rigg had this american young man 'always interested'. The Avengers tv series was campy terrific fun. rip ms. rigg

[@michaelisaacson9735]

It's so nice how she talks to the audience and engages them in this discussion.

[@paultaylor3030]

The previous comment has said it all but I’ll just say Diana Rigg was my first love and loved everything she did, she was also a lady and she was never in the press for unsavoury reasons she was just a beautiful lady . She has gone and I’ve have a part of my life has gone, I feel lucky to have been in the era of Diane Rigg RIP DAME DIANA RIGG ❤️👍👍👍

[@Carducci1959]

Diana Rigg was my childhood heroine.

[@thepresh]

Watching the Avengers in 1966-67 in the US - she was my role model - she made me believe we could do anything and be anything - thank you!

[@mckavitt]

You may not have seen Honor Blackman as Cathy Gale, who left to do the James Bond film, Goldfinger. She was a real athlete, gorgeous & seeping sensual intelligence.

[@therealzilch]

Diana Rigg was a gift to us.

[@gonziespinoza8790]

What a beautiful star! How kind, sweet and humble!

[@georgekrucko4446]

She's was awesome ahead of her time.

[@keithgordon620]

The Avengers was a classic series, brilliant stories. Diana Rigg was stunning at that time.

[@bogeysbaby]

She was stunning always, and quite brilliant. Warm, charming, friendly. Beauty is far more than a tight face and a hot bod.

[@rjleslee]

The Avengers series was shown on Malaysian Tv in the late 60s and it was very popular. I remember it was shown late Sunday night and despite having to sleep early for work next day it was the gorgeous Emma Peel that kept my eyes wide open! Next day at work during coffee time it was the subject of conversation. Great actress. Iconic series. Terima kasih.

[@lezzman]

What a wonderfully charming lady. Such a wealth of memories we would all be envious of.

[@brianjones7907]

R.I.P Dame Diana Rigg , Honor Blackman & Patrick Macnee , you may be gone but your Legend will always live on ...

[@tahinarolon9460]

Mrs. Peel! Loved everything you did, specially in GOT but very much so in The Avengers. I was a shipper of Mrs Peel and Mr Steed and was sad when you left, but then there you were on the big screen as Mrs Bond! RIP Ms Rigg you will be always remembered with love and admiration!

[@harpothehealer]

Dame Diana Rigg fantastic actress and well for me Emma peel is firmly etched into the memory banks.

[@kennyronald1886]

harpothehealer and my spank bank.....

[@ianharwell7500]

Sorry to have heard of Diana's passing. Brains, beauty and a lovely voice. Emma Peel - Avengers girl No. 2 (1965 to 1968). In April 2020, we lost Honor Blackman - Avengers girl No.1 (1962 to 1964) - brains, beauty and an even lovelier voice. Both Bond Girls as well. Lastly, they were talented at their craft. Class acts and I suspect, neither would suffer fools gladly.

[@IanP1963]

I interviewed Honor once - I was shaking whilst I was doing it - great lady may she RIP !!!!

[@ianharwell7500]

@@IanP1963 like I hinted at.... , neither would suffer fools gladly....but you experienced that with Honor. Alongside Fenella Fielding & Mariella Frostrup - a marvelous voice.

[@osmarorsi5255]

Bella, hermosa, excelente actriz !!! En Argentina jamás la olvidaremos. Que en paz descanse, Diana. God bless you !!!. Omar. Junin Bs As, Argentina

[@JettBlast]

Could not have said it better myself!

[@ianharwell7500]

@@JettBlast Thanks Jett

[@maggieadams8600]

Between the ages of 6 and 9, 1967-70 -ish, I used to study Emma Peel's fighting technique in order to use her moves against my big brother, who was 2 and1/2 years older than me. My heroine, Emma Peel! She could take down 2 or 3 mean men by the chop from the side of her hand, or a swift kick. These moves didn't work, but, I improvised. :)

[@thunderssound]

Lol nice one , RIP Diana 💔

[@jeffsullivan2044]

That's a great story!! I used to play John Steed and my sister, Mrs Peel when we were children.

[@IanP1963]

heroine

[@sallyedwards2400]

She was my heroine too, my mum bought my brother and myself sword sticks and we used to play ‘avengers’. The 60’s were fab.

[@Labor_Jones]

I saw all of them on Saturdays and 50 years later I got all the DVDs with Ms. Peel.

[@JettBlast]

Very cool!

[@SkeeterNYC]

What a great actor and a real class act Ms. Rigg is.

[@michaelangood]

IS it now antiwoke to call the lady actress-, HOW PATHETIC

[@Myplop]

She’s great to listen to

[@tracer740]

... almost mesmerizing.

[@donjones2988]

Diana Riggs' Emma Peel was a thinking persons' Charlies' Angel before anybody even heard of Charlies' Angels.

[@michaelmorgan9824]

I can say it now I Love You!!! My freshman year in High School you were my secret pleasure as few people watched the series in my High School class! I am so saddened but so happy that i got to know you via T.V. Rest in Peace Mrs. Peel! You are forever in my heart!

[@Muswell]

The House that Jack Built - absolute classic.

[@RAULHECTORVelazquez]

I was a little kid about 5 or 6 and I had been in Santa Fe province where my parents were from, and I just remember very well, before going to sleep one episode of " The Avengers " and I got in my mind that beautiful image of Diana Rigg fidgeting her beautiful face with her fingers on her hair. Sooo, long almost 45 years. and just let me say, God bless you Dame Diana Rigg. !!!!

[@cindyjones6486]

She was so incredible. I was fascinated by her as a child. So lovely.

[@joshmills5219]

To have that charisma and memory for detail at 78 years old, I'm astonished! Dame Rigg, thank you and rest easy.

[@Carty434]

Loved her in the Avengers. Emma Peel was my heroine! I even dressed up as her as my favorite superhero! I didn't really appreciate her brilliance until I was much older. Rest In Peace my beautiful talented actress!

[@jeannigro6892]

As amazing as ever. Talented,diverse, witty and incredible. One of my absolute favorites. As much today as 50 years ago. God bless you Dame DianaRigg and thank you.

[@cak813]

Dame Diana was wonderful - not only in “The Avengers” but everything I ever saw her in. “In This House Of Brede” was a standout and I saw her in the West End once in “Whose Life It Is Anyway”. What a wonderful interview this was. She was absolutely delightful and charming. I had no idea how funny she was.

[@RoyMcCalvey]

Madly in love with Diana back in the day.

[@dudanunesbleff]

She is gracefull.

[@johnmadison3472]

I was a huge fan of The Avengers and Dianna Rigg. I viewed her like a super-heroine and in many ways, she was indeed a super-hero. I will miss her! R.I.P Ms. Rigg.

[@whiteknight4396]

I’ve held a torch for Diana rigg for more years than I care to remember; not only for her looks which is I find her beautiful but I believe she is probably the best actress for as long as I can remember who’s always working. She’s also a Yorkshire lass which speaks for itself . I could go on but I’ll finish with she made my youth fun and without the avengers there wouldn’t have been any of similar tv shows 👍

[@ericcastillo1332]

I remember watching the series as a little boy here in America on ABC and the show had a very spellbinding quality to it I don't remember how old I was but the shows themselves were quite memorable and Emma Peel stood out to me as a little child believe it or not

[@Deankut]

She was my childhood idol.

[@nightowl5475]

She was responsible for making my hormones go crazy when I was 6 years old. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with me but every time I saw her on that show, I went nuts and I was way too young for puberty. Thank you madam Rigg, for great memories of growing up!

[@hayprofilms]

I am totally captivated by the lovely, genuine and skilled Dame Diana Rigg Lovely Interview. Hayden

[@chrismiller9740]

Had a crush on her most of my youth. She was a stunner, and has great wit.

[@Fandango541]

God I love this Dame! Truly! I was hooked the moment I sat upstairs in my bedroom with me telly on, the theme song voice over began and I was swept up in the 'British Invasion' of the 60s. We so loved everything British and Dame Diana Rigg was the epitome of cool Britishness! Theatre of Blood -- flawless. Thank you Dame Edna for bringing so much joy and fun into my life then and to this very day.

[@BigMack1959]

What a lovely lady she is and such a sense of humour.

[@BigMack1959]

Yes Dan, Elizabeth Shepherd was cast as Emma Peel but was let go; after she filmed a couple of episodes. Rumours were that she was difficult to work with, wanting too much say in the production and that there was no chemistry with Macnee. I heard Brian Clemens in an interview shortly before his death say that Ms Shepherd had no sense of humour and lacked the light comedic talents they envisioned for Mrs Peel. He also said the same for Linda Thorson but that they were stuck with her;. I've often wondered if any of the footage of Shepherd playing Mrs Peel would ever show up, it would be interesting to see her take on the part. I also wondered why the Elizabeth Shepherd issue wasn't brought up in the interview ?

[@Maazzzo]

+Stephen MacKenzie Presumably because Rigg wasn't really around when Ms Shepherd was let go. They could ask her, but firstly it would be slightly out of sorts because it's just impolite. Very un-British. And secondly, Rigg was not really there when Shepherd was sacked, so she probably would not have much to say about it.

[@BigMack1959]

Yes you are probably right Maddy especially as Ms Shepherd is still alive and her version of events differ from Brian Clemens'. I would love to see footage from the one and a half episodes she filmed though I doubt her chemistry with Patrick Macnee would have been as good as we had with Ms Rigg. In that same interview Clemens said that after Ms Shepherd had been sacked they eventually were left with a choice of two actresses with Clemens preferring established actress Moira Redmond over the relative newcomer Diana Rigg but in the end there was a consensus to go with younger (by 10 years) actress because she was a "new face" and the rest is history ......................................

[@Maazzzo]

Stephen MacKenzie Best I can do for you, love. crypticrock.com/interview-elizabeth-shepherd/ In the end, I'm still convinced Rigg was the way to go. She was never the same without her, and although I liked Honor Blackman, I will always be a Peel girl.

[@BigMack1959]

Thanks for the link. I am unfortunately old enough to have watched the tail end of the Cathy Gale era as they were broadcast and was ( so I've been told ) upset when she left but as soon as the revamped Emma Peel era began I was definitely in team Peel. Years later and now owning all the existing episodes on DVD I can say that the series was at it's peak both in terms of entertainment and acting when Diana was Emma. Also you might find this interesting www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=cac257e6-5f73-446d-862b-65faa7fe0984

[@lynharrod5087]

I am serious...The British must have this ICON remade in WAX!! She must never die.

[@tamartin64]

Mrs. Emma Peel was my first TV crush. Gotta love those leather jumpsuits and high heels. Diana Rigg is so much better as an adult crush.

[@waybec102]

Fantastic. Although the years have passed, the years just drop off Diana as a truly beautiful and wonderful lady! Someone of a gracious articulate and humorous intelligence you just want to hug and kiss. x

[@death2pc]

From the States................. Always SO adored The Avengers. Thanks that we had it released in the USA. And the marvelous chemistry between the two was its own gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@athb4hu]

This was so amazing, and funny. I had such a crush on Diana Rigg when I was 15 and she was 30. I was devastated when she left the Avengers.

[@shermanwilkins2428]

I was too.I pretty much stopped watching when she left.I just wasn't feeling Linda Thorson.

[@osmarorsi5255]

Diana Rigg , i love you !!! Desde Argentina Junin Bs As. Omar

[@moondra3481]

She passed away today. 9.10.20

[@osmarorsi5255]

@@moondra3481 very wonderful woman and actress

[@athb4hu]

@@shermanwilkins2428 Me too, though most of the kids in my school were impressed by LT.

[@Stoic-Col]

Diana Rigg was my first every crush. I fell deeply in love with her when I was 11 years old. Now I admire her tremendously. She deserves to be called Dame as he is has style, sincerity and great humanity. Some of the actresses today, although talented, lack the depth of character that she has so effortlessly.

[@Ameretatt]

She was such a gem. Her spirit was so lively.

[@robertshanks3674]

what a lovely lady...great actress, and missed.

[@maryannmcrae6736]

Rest In Peace Diana We all age and do it gracefully not having plastic surgery. Diana was BEAUTIFUL I ENJOYED THEIR SHOW

[@LockOnNow]

So sad to hear about her passing away she was the sexiest Lady of the 60th‘s Series she was very adorable. So that’s life we all get old. May she Rest In Peace thank you Diana.

[@ringsideproducciones5546]

I love Diana Rigg for ever ever ever ever ever

[@ukidding]

yep she was my school boy idol so many moons ago. her accent was the epitome of class and looks were lethal.

[@bobblue_west]

Testimony to how seminal and groundbreaking the Avengers were. We are still talking about it and loving it 50+ years on. Still fantastic...the fashions, the cars, the class, Swinging London, and the fun charm of it all. PS: Thinking what might be remembered 50+ yrs from now. I'm thinking X-Files. Similar 'of its time' quirkiness.

[@MsTexas73]

Dan Cowan now see, IMO both duos have a similar chemistry though. So I get what Dame Diana is saying here.

[@kbc163]

I'm a fan of both shows and pretty much for the same reasons -- they were witty, sexy, and didn't treat the viewer like a dummy. They both also captured the vibe of their time periods very well. 👍

[@scvandy3129]

What a class act -- Dame Diana Rigg AND the interview. One "come-away" we get from this half hour was hearing of her positive, close mother - daughter relationship, with actress Rachael Stirling. To the auditorium audience Dame Diana introduced her with love and admiration -- and good-naturedly offered "thanks for the job on that episode as your 'mom'." Right there we're front-row-seats observers to the love and warmth expressed by these two for one another. . . . That was no act when she said how much she missed Patrick (Macnee). Speaking of him, her co-star from "The Avengers," it's heartbreaking to hear -- "from the horse's mouth" -- the negative impact doing the show had on her film career. IMO and to many, sounding selfish, I so wish she could have stuck it out for just one more season. The two played wonderfully opposite each other. Unlike the six and seven-year options and contracts that are customarily binding for performers signed to American scripted television shows, Dame Diana and Patrick both had the upper hand with deals lasting just one or two years. With one more year she "can see light at the end of the tunnel." "The Avengers'" viewers get another 26 adventures with Emma Peel -- in COLOR. Because Mrs. Peel, like her wardrobe, was tailor-made for her AND it felt too recent to Rigg's predecessor, Honor Blackman playing Mrs. Gale doing essentially the same thing, i.e., two and done, we so desired she negotiate and stay.. Again, we're not talking three, four, five years here; just one. Another, unrelated example: Along that theme of performers electing to depart -- NOT getting fired -- beloved, successful shows, oh, if only Michael Douglas could have given producer Quinn Martin one more season, just ONE more season, as SFPD Detective Steven Keller on on "The Streets of San Francisco", fans would have thanked him en masse. And his co-lead, Karl Malden, expecially. As detective partners and friends, Douglas and Malden had chemistry, something Richard hatch, Douglas' replacement, was far, far from achieving. Would 1976's five Academy Awards earned by Douglas' picture, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," been assured for its production and release's postponement by 12 months? In a fantasy, perfect world left, "yes." If one doesn't like, or even know of, "The Streets of San Francisco," then the proposed scenario, the pipe dream, is absurd. . . . . Thank you, BFI, for hosting AND posting this interview with Dame Diana Rigg. Quite enjoyable, informative and professionally presented

[@kenjispencer3874]

Man, Diana Rigg is classy.

[@martindeewan686]

A living legend.

[@magalilemarchand2543]

It is thanks to Diana Rigg and her role in the Avengers that I started learning and loving English as a foreign language. I knew from the age of 10 or 11 that I wanted to spend some of my adult life in Britain where I lived for 11 years and this was thanks to the Avengers and the Steed/Emma Peel on screen partnership. Best years ever! I am so ever grateful for all of that. If I had to name ONE British actress then it would most definately be Diana Rigg. I have so many wonderful and fond memories of that time. I also clearly remember being guttered when I saw that Tara King (Linda Thornton) took over the role. There was only one female that was the star of this TV show and that was Diana Rigg! She is beautiful in and out, very funny and so classy! Merci infiniment!

[@carlospatricio777]

RIP Diana Rigg, la querida señora Peel.