History Trivia / TheNewAvengers

** In 1981, following the series' popularity in America, Brian Clemens and Dennis Spooner wrote a MadeForTVMovie called ''The First Avengers Movie''. Going in the fantastical direction of the Emma Peel era, it would have opened with people being mysteriously killed by something that leaves them as nothing more than skeletons. It turns out that a South American dictator named Cavalo (Creator/TellySavalas) has perfected a way of controlling ants and now has the largest army in the world, which he intends to use for world domination. His henchmen move around on Kirby wires to avoid stamping on the ants. Among the eccentric characters are madcap minituraistion expert Bernard Igg (Creator/JohnCleese), who is said to be developing contacts lenses for butterflies ("Because they keep losing theglasses") and George Ware (Creator/RowanAtkinson), who realises what devastation the ants can cause and thus lives in a helium balloon ("Because the submarine isn't ready yet"). Steed and Gambit would have been joined by an ex-trapeze artist named Carruthers (Gambit would have vistited her flat and greeted her with "Carruthers, we're needed"). The trio would have been joined by a CIA agent named Suzy Stride. The opening titles would have announce that the movie had a cast of thousands (meaning the ants), though the true nature of the killers wouldn't be revealed until the heroes had discovered the truth. Steed would have reverted to driving a classic Bentley and Gambit would drive a Morgan convertible. Creator/{{CBS}} abandoned the project, though both writers were paid.

* FollowTheLeader: The series' DarkerAndEdgier tone was made in the wake of tougher and grittier shows of TheSeventies like ''Series/TheSweeney'' and (later) ''Series/TheProfessionals''.

** For the last four episodes, they had to film in UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}. Brian Clemens -- who didn't even go there -- called those the worst of the series. Albert Fennell felt that the continuity of production established in the UK was lost. Creator/PatrickMacnee agreed with him.

** For the last four episodes, they had to film in UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}. Brian Clemens -- who didn't even go there -- called those the worst of the series, feeling that the continuity of production established in the UK was lost. Creator/PatrickMacnee agreed with him.

** For the last four episodes, they had to film in UsefulNotes/{{Canada}}. Brian Clemens -- who didn't even go there -- called those the worst of the series.

** Creator/PatrickMacnee told ''Starlog'' that he flat out disliked the series:

** Trudi Van Doorne auditioned for Purdey. She was instead cast as Gerda in "The Eagle's Nest".

* RecycledSet: "Sleeper" features a scene filmed on a standing Victorian street set at Creator/PinewoodStudios that was originally built for ''Film/OneOfOurDinosaursIsMissing''.

* UnfinishedEpisode: Tony Williamson, who wrote nine episodes of the original series, suggested a possible story outline involving the kidnapping of UsefulNotes/HMTheQueen that would serve as the pilot for the series. Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell disliked the idea and it was discarded.

** Lewis Collins was considered for Gareth Hunt. He made a guest appearance in "Obsession". Series producer Brian Clemens noted his chemistry with Creator/MartinShaw and cast them in ''Series/TheProfessionals''. Martin Fisk was also considered. He would later appear in "The Last of the Cybernauts".

* YouLookFamiliar: Creator/IanHendry, who had played Steed's initial partner Dr. David Keel in ''The Avengers'' in 1961, reappeared in "To Catch a Rat" as a different character, Irwin Gunner.

** Lumley had long hair on her first promo stills for the series. On the first day of filming, she surprised the producers and crew by coming up with a bowl cut, which would remain Purdey's trademark hairstyle.

* InspirationForTheWork: The idea for reviving ''Series/TheAvengers1960s'' came about due to the series' popularity in France. Creator/PatrickMacnee was hired to do some champagne commercials and the producer was an avid of the series and asked Brian Clemens when it would return.

** It's rumored that Creator/JoannaLumley suggested Purdey's name. She was originally called Charly but had to be changed when they discovered a perfume with the same name. Purdey was named after the most expensive shotgun in the world.

* CastTheRunnerUp: Lewis Collins was considered for Gareth Hunt. He made a guest appearance in "Obsession". Series producer Brian Clemens noted his chemistry with Creator/MartinShaw and cast them in ''Series/TheProfessionals''. Martin Fisk was also considered. He would later appear in "The Last of the Cybernauts".

** In 1994, Creator/JoannaLumley and Gareth Hunt publicised the launch of the series on domestic videocassette. Sales were stronger than expected, prompting Brian Clemens to consider reuniting the two actors in a "SpinOff" series. Although both were keen to participate and a script was written, plans stalled at an early stage for undisclosed reasons.

* CreatorChosenCasting: Gareth Hunt was reportedly always Brian Clemens' favourite choice for Mike Gambit and following his audition, it was just a matter of convincing his fellow producers.

* UnfinishedEpisode: Tony Williamson, who wrote nine episodes of the original series, suggested a possible story outline involving the kidnapping of UsefulNotes/HMQueenElizabethII that would serve as the pilot for the series. Brian Clemens and Albert Fennell disliked the idea and it was discarded.