KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: "THE AVENGERS" LINDA THORSON

Linda Thorson would never look more lovely as Tara King than in THE AVENGERS classic episode All Done with Mirrors. All images: OPTIMUM RELEASING/ CANAL + Image UK LTD.

Becoming a new AVENGERS girl to Patrick Macnee's definitive TV screen persona of super cool English gent John Steed was always going to be a tough acting gig, but none more so than also following on from the equally formidable presence of Diana Rigg, whose two year stint on the show alongside the star as Mrs Emma Peel, with her sharp and lively portrayal, fighting prowess and wardrobe style, had already captured a generation of fans. Announced to the world in a flurry of press camera lightbulb flashes in late 1967, the very young 20 year old Canadian actress Linda Thorson, chosen for the enormous responsibility by the series 1968 season original producer John Bryce, would play Tara King, a fellow spy working with Steed: like Emma Peel had been, if a little less experienced. Ultimately Tara would be an altogether more feminine, innocent and slightly less individualistic character, who would have a much closer and admiring relationship to Steed than had been seen from either her predecessor Peel or the earlier Cathy Gale, who often had an very antagonistic relationship with her crime fighting partner in it's black and white years.

Patrick Macnee introduces the blond Linda Thorson to the world press in Chelsea in 1967.

The duo filming the new title sequence for the series.

Passing the torch: Emma offers some advice on Steed to Tara in The Forget-Me-Knot.

Originally a blond on screen, both Thorson the actress and Tara King the character would get a creative shake-up with the return of the vitally needed original AVENGERS film series producers Albert Fennell and Brian Clemens, replacing Bryce's ultimately disastrous producer-ship on the opening three episodes of the new seventh season (his plans to make the show more grounded from its prior fantasy elements not working at all!). The talented behind the scenes duo, who ultimately knew what made the series work the most with audiences, quickly initiated a new look for the actress, making the character more subtly sexy and heroic, introducing a new fighting style to compliment her more feminine appeal (helped by stunt talents Joe Dunne and Cyd Child) whilst also visually giving her dark hair and a better, more suited to her figure wardrobe (designed by Alun Hughes). It was also a further shrewd move to give Linda/Tara a proper introductory episode to help viewers ease in with the series style transition, of which Diana Rigg would enjoy a one-off return bridging tale that saw Emma Peel sadly depart and Steed happily consoled in his new relationship with Tara King in the iconic, if a little sad, The Forget -Me-Knot.

The new look Tara would go on to gain a devoted fan following.

Introducing Linda Thorson: The Avengers Girl About Town 1967 - YouTube

THE AVENGERS title sequences: The Avengers Alternative Series 6 Opening Titles and Closing Credits - YouTube and The Avengers TV intro (1968) - YouTube

Soon, with the first half a dozen of the new episodes filmed, Thorson's early nerves in the role disintegrated and Tara King would positively shine in the re-tailored series, now fully back on track with its delightful and vibrant new pairing. UK audiences were quickly accepting and enjoying the new enthused leading lady, who, alongside the protective and charming Macnee (who has never given himself the acting credit he thoroughly deserves for playing Steed), would make the most of some of the series finest episodes, and their unique and memorable mixing of high concept action, comedy and visual flair.

Tara is ready for action in the episode Noon Doomsday.

All things must eventually come to an end, however, and as the series ratings sadly declined in the US due to enormous pressure from competitive network shows, THE AVENGERS wrapped their last bold adventure in May 1969 (and literally heading off into outer space, too!). Both Thorson and Macnee would eventually reprise their iconic roles for a 1975 French commercial advertising champagne (a reunion that would prove so popular it would quickly lead to the birth of THE NEW AVENGERS. But that's another story...).

Enjoying some quality champagne time during the series.

Beyond Tara King, Thorson continues to stretch her lengthy legs as an actress, returning to the theatre and lots of television work in both the UK and US, and from wide ranging series like the domestic farm soap EMMERDALE FARM to the final frontier in STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. With the emergence of THE AVENGERS onto the home video and late DVD market from the late nineties onwards, of which the classic series returned to entertain cult audiences and re-engage positive critical evaluation across the world, she would become one of the series greatest and most attractive promotional ambassadors, right up to its recent fiftieth anniversary.

Re-united: Thorson and Macnee for THE AVENGERS video tape release in the nineties.

Life after Tara! Thorson continues acting and modelling.

Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay!

All the surviving episodes of THE AVENGERS are available on DVD from OPTIMUM RELEASING.