AVENGERS AUDIO

On the heels of learning about the upcoming Callan audio dramas from Big Finish (see Interview: Callan at 50), I'm also thrilled to see Big Finish has officially announced their release of a new audio adventure based on The Avengers novel, Too Many Targets. From the press release: "The iconic Sixties series returns in a new audio adventure – and this time John Steed will be reunited with a whole host of his former colleagues. In The Avengers: Too Many Targets, John Steed collaborates with Dr David Keel, Mrs Emma Peel, Mrs Cathy Gale and Miss Tara King in a new adaptation by John Dorney, taken from the 1990 novel of the same name, by John Peel and Dave Rogers. Two agents are dead, and their murderers sound worryingly familiar. A killer gorilla is on the loose, a deadly disease is ravaging a distant country and an eminent Doctor has been kidnapped. It’s all pretty much business as usual. But when John Steed is called in by his old boss and given an appalling task to complete at the same time as Tara is given one that’s even worse, it becomes clear that the myriad threads of a terrifying scheme are drawing together. The fate of the world hangs in the balance. Steed won’t be able to handle this case alone. The Avengers are needed. All of them. The role of the dapper spy, John Steed, will be reprised by Julian Wadham (The English Patient, The Iron Lady, Outlander) who has played the role in 34 The Avengers episodes produced by Big Finish Productions. Standing by his side will be Olivia Poulet (Back, In the Loop, The Thick of It, Sherlock) reprising the role of Mrs Emma Peel (from Big Finish’s The Avengers Comic Strip Adaptations), and Anthony Howell (Foyle’s War, The Other Boleyn Girl, Dracula) as Dr David Keel (from The Avengers: The Lost Episodes). Lucy Briggs-Owen (Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders) also returns as Carol Wilson, Keel’s devoted nurse." More info at Big Finish. I remember reading the novel when it came out in 1990 and being pretty excited to see Steed reunited with all of his partners. It will be fun to see how the new audio adaptation turns out! Related posts:  Interview: Alan Hayes (early Avengers Book), The Prisoner Audio Review vol 1, The Prisoner Audio Review vol 2, Avengerworld Book, Umbrella Man.

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LOST AVENGERS AUDIO SETS

Dr. Keel, we're needed! Long before Avenger John Steed was partnered with Emma Peel and Cathy Gale (played by Diana Rigg and Honor Blackman- both left to do James Bond films), he was the shadowy partner of Dr. David Keel (played by Ian Hendry). Although some of those early programs have been released, many remain missing. Fans of Doctor Who may be familiar with the syndrome, as it was once common practice to wipe studio tapes. Much of early television in the UK was shot on video and remains lost forever. If only they knew about the future of syndication, home video release, and streaming content back then. Big Finish Productions has been filling the gaps by producing outstanding audio adaptations of early Doctor Who shows. Now the company has set their sights on lost episodes of The Avengers. 

Big Finish is working with Studio Canal to resurrect twelve lost episodes of The Avengers from the Keel/Steed era. The audio productions will be based on the original scripts and they plan to release three 4-disc sets. Big Finish's David Richardson has said that they are looking forward to recreating the lost stories and are hoping to officially announce the cast soon, which may include some high-profile actors in lead roles. The first set is due January of 2014 and will be available in CD and download editions. Great news for fans of The Avengers!

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