The Avengers (1961) – 15 Shocking Facts You Never Knew!

Before Marvel's Avengers took over the big screen, there was another. A bowler hat. An umbrella. And a woman in a leather catsuit who could throw a man twice her size across a room without breaking a sweat. The Avengers ran from 1961 to 1969. Eight years. Six series. And a cast so stylish and sharp that it changed British television forever. But most fans have never heard the real story. An episode so scandalous it was banned from American television entirely. A lead actress who fought for equal pay — and was painted as a villain for it. A connection to Marvel's X-Men that nobody saw coming. And three cast members who all went on to play James Bond characters. This is the real story of The Avengers. And it's darker, stranger and more surprising than anything Steed and Emma Peel ever faced. 🔔 Subscribe for more shocking facts about the TV shows you love. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction 01:05 – Fact 1: Most of Series One No Longer Exists 02:00 – Fact 2: Never Supposed to Be Called The Avengers 02:50 – Fact 3: The Lead Actor Left After Series One 03:40 – Fact 4: Honor Blackman Left for James Bond 04:25 – Fact 5: Diana Rigg Was the Third Choice 05:15 – Fact 6: She Auditioned Without Seeing the Show 06:00 – Fact 7: She Fought for Equal Pay 06:50 – Fact 8: One Episode Was Banned in America 07:40 – Fact 9: The Episode Inspired Marvel's X-Men 08:25 – Fact 10: Macnee and Rigg Were Lifelong Friends 09:10 – Fact 11: Three Cast Members in James Bond Films 09:50 – Fact 12: First British Programme Sold to America 10:30 – Fact 13: Kinky Boots Was a Real Hit 11:05 – Fact 14: The Show Inspired Kung Fu on Television 11:45 – Fact 15: Emma Peel Was Designed to Mean Something #TheAvengers #DianaRigg #BritishTV #ClassicTV #TVFacts