SpyVibe: BRIAN CLEMENS

January 14, 2015

BRIAN CLEMENS

Sad news in the Spy Vibe world this week. Brian Clemens, writer and producer of The Avengers, and co-creator of The New Avengers and The Professionals, has passed away at age 83. Born in 1931, Clemens published his first short story at age 12 before bringing his uncanny talent for storytelling to a host of iconic shows like Man From Interpol, The Sentimental Agent, The Protectors, Adam Adamant Lives!, The Baron, The Champions, The Persuaders, The Adventurer, and Father Dowling Mysteries. He even co-wrote the pilot episode for Patrick McGoohan's Danger Man, View From the Villa, in 1960. His many film credits include Mission to Morocco, See No Evil, Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Captain Kronos- Vampire Hunter, and Highlander II: The Quickening. According to his son, Samuel, one of the last things Clemens did before he died was watch The Avengers, reflecting, "I did quite a good job." Brian did indeed, and his legacy lives on in his work. His 1961 pilot episode for The Avengers, Hot Snow, introduced the world to a mysterious agent named John Steed, who would go on to work with a number of companion characters, including Cathy Gale, Mrs. Emma Peel, and Tara King. Hot Snow was adapted into an audio drama by Big Finish last year. The Avengers series has been compiled in a number of DVD and Blu-ray sets. Check your region's vendors for more information. My own introduction to the spy genre was through Brian Clemens. Long before I heard of James Bond, James West, or Jim Phelps, Steed and Mrs Peel established my template for "cool" with his vision of eccentric spies saving the world in style. I owe so much to him. Learn more: George and Samuel Clemens talk to Roberto Perrone on BBC about their father here (starts at 1:32:30), Tribute page on Facebook here. Brian Clemens chats with the BBC about his career below.