When the late, great Dame Diana Rigg joined the cast of “The Avengers,” her character of Emma Peel was described as being a “talented amateur.” As an avid fan of this terrific spy series, I’ve wondered if British agent John Steed decided on his own to invite Emma Peel, the CEO of a major British corporation, to accompany and assist him in his official investigations? Or did Emma Peel have official status as a member of British intelligence? I don’t think we ever found out for sure during the Peel/Steed episodes of “The Avengers.”

In any event, Dame Diana and Patrick Macnee were absolutely superb in their roles as Emma (Knight) Peel and John Steed. They are both greatly missed.