The Avengers International Fan Forum

I'm working my way throught the fantastic Bowler Hat and kinky Boots book written and researched my MarkR. I so so glad that there was information on casting of key characters from the show. What I wanted to know is this, in the chapter on casting Cathy Gale it mentions that Nyree Dawn Porter, Fenella Fielding and Honor Blackman were 1st, 3rd and 5th on the list if my memory serves me. Who was 2nd and 4th choice? Also is there a complete list of all the actresses who were considered, auditioned or screentested for the role of Emma Peel? This sort of thing fascinates me.

Richy wrote:I'm working my way throught the fantastic Bowler Hat and kinky Boots book written and researched my MarkR. I so so glad that there was information on casting of key characters from the show. What I wanted to know is this, in the chapter on casting Cathy Gale it mentions that Nyree Dawn Porter, Fenella Fielding and Honor Blackman were 1st, 3rd and 5th on the list if my memory serves me. Who was 2nd and 4th choice? Also is there a complete list of all the actresses who were considered, auditioned or screentested for the role of Emma Peel? This sort of thing fascinates me.

same here...always wondered what kind of direction the characters, or show would have taken with alternative casting....etc

Richy wrote:I'm working my way throught the fantastic Bowler Hat and kinky Boots book written and researched my MarkR. I so so glad that there was information on casting of key characters from the show. What I wanted to know is this, in the chapter on casting Cathy Gale it mentions that Nyree Dawn Porter, Fenella Fielding and Honor Blackman were 1st, 3rd and 5th on the list if my memory serves me. Who was 2nd and 4th choice? Also is there a complete list of all the actresses who were considered, auditioned or screentested for the role of Emma Peel? This sort of thing fascinates me.

Richy/Mousemeat

Unfortunately, I was unable to discover the other actresses on Sydney Newman's list of possible actresses under consideration to play Cathy Gale, but if I had I would have included it in the book. Still I'm very pleased that you are finding Bowler Hats and Kinky Boots an interesting and informative read. I don't have a complete list of the actresses who auditioned for the role of Emma Peel, although I do name some names on pages 122 and 125, further to which I have also been informed that Sarah Brackett was one of eight actreses (including Diana Rigg) who were screentested as Elizabeth Shepherd's replacement.

Thanks Mike. Your book is fantasic and I can't put it down. I'm so pleased that you were able to find information about the casting of key characters. I would love to have researched that :-)

Richy wrote:Thanks Mike. Your book is fantasic and I can't put it down. I'm so pleased that you were able to find information about the casting of key characters. I would love to have researched that

great book....goood job. tip of my hat 2 ya!

Richy/Mousemeat

Many thanks for the kind words about Bowler Hats and Kinky Boots, which has gone down extremely well. As noted in the book, many people helped along the way, including Andrew Pixley, Alan, Anthony McKay and Mariocki, who all frequent these boards. Plus, Stephen James Walker and David J. Howe of Telos Publishing, my proof reader Annette Hill and a great many people who worked on both The Avengers and the The New Avengers, plus some who worked for ABC Television and more who were involved with the feature film.

I'm really enjoying Mike's book - especially now I have some spectacles! - I like the way he works background information into the central narrative without it seeming forced. Early days of my journey, as I only got my spectacles yesterday, but it's a ripper of a book, much better when not held at arm's length!

MikeR wrote:Richy/Mousemeat

Many thanks for the kind words about Bowler Hats and Kinky Boots, which has gone down extremely well. As noted in the book, many people helped along the way, including Andrew Pixley, Alan, Anthony McKay and Mariocki, who all frequent these boards. Plus, Stephen James Walker and David J. Howe of Telos Publishing, my proof reader Annette Hill and a great many people who worked on both The Avengers and the The New Avengers, plus some who worked for ABC Television and more who were involved with the feature film.

nice body of work...well done !

Mousemeat

Thanks, the book has generally gone down very well and I'm happy to have gone to the trouble of researching and writing it.

MikeR wrote:Mousemeat

Thanks, the book has generally gone down very well and I'm happy to have gone to the trouble of researching and writing it.

So are we! Most grateful!