The Avengers' The 1960s-70s police drama 'The Avengers' starred Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg as the crime-fighting duo John Steed and Emma Peel. The show was known for its tongue-in-cheek humor, stylish costumes, and action-packed storylines. It ran from 1961 to 1969 and was revived in the late 1970s with a new cast. The show was popular in both the UK and US and has since become a cult classic.