Long before The Avengers became synonymous with CGI, convenient script writing, and Disney cashing in on every single scrap of IP they can get their white-gloved paws on, the term had a whole different meaning: British television excellence ... and, of course, Dame Diana Rigg.
Since joining The Avengers in 1965, Rigg proved that she was more than a pretty face, enthralling audiences week after week before flexing her acting chops in films and TV series like A Midsummer Night's Dream,Mother Love, and later, Game of Thrones.
From promo shoots to her Bond girl moment, here are 20 'holy smokes' photos of the original Avenger, Diana Rigg.
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“Dame Enid Diana Elizabeth Rigg - Late 1960s.”
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“Diana Rigg and Maggie Smith on a break from filming Evil Under the Sun in 1981, in Mallorca. They were both destined to be appointed Dames a few years later”
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“Diana Rigg and Anthony Hopkins in Macbeth, 1972.”
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“Diana Rigg as Mrs Emma Peel. From ‘The Avengers’ TV series circa 1965 to 1968.”
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“Diana Rigg and Helen Mirren in A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1968. Photograph by David Farrell.”
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“Diana Riggs, best known for Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones (1967).”
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“Diana Rigg (c. 1968)”
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“‘On Her Majesty's Secret Service’ star, Diana Rigg, soon to take on the role of Emma Peel in The Avengers, 1965.”
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“Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in The Avengers circa 1960s.”
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“The Best James Bond movie ever - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - because of....Diana Rigg - 1969.”
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“Dame Diana Rigg 1966. RIP.”
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“Dame Diana Rigg and Dame Helen Mirren, 1968.”
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“Dame Diana Rigg, 1967.”
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“Anthony Hopkins with Diana Rigg 1972.”
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“Diana Rigg, known for playing Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, 1960s.”
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“Diana Rigg and George Lazenby on the set of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).”