I have just read that one of my favourite actors as a child, Diana Rigg, has died, aged 82.
As a child, I adored her character of Emma Peel in The Avengers. At the time, in the 60s, there weren't many roles where women could appear competent, accomplished, deadly in combat, entirely independent, - yet completely equal to her male colleague, John Steed - and so wonderfully stylish.
She was the first female character I ever saw on screen that I wished to emulate, or identified with.
Indeed, while playing Emma Peel with The Avengers, she discovered that she - a female lead - was paid less than the male cameraman, (and not just her male co-star, Patrick McNee); that led to a challenge, - which she won - where she sought to be paid the same as her male colleagues.
In the James Bond franchise, she played possibly an excellent role as the only female love interest - in On Her Majesty's Secret Service - to have been Bond's clear physical, intellectual and social equal, the only woman to whom he was ever married.
However, she was also an accomplished stage actress, playing many roles with the RSC, and more recently, was a brilliant Lady Olenna Tyrell in the TV series, Game of Thrones.
RIP Diana Rigg.
As a child, I adored her character of Emma Peel in The Avengers. At the time, in the 60s, there weren't many roles where women could appear competent, accomplished, deadly in combat, entirely independent, - yet completely equal to her male colleague, John Steed - and so wonderfully stylish.
She was the first female character I ever saw on screen that I wished to emulate, or identified with.
Indeed, while playing Emma Peel with The Avengers, she discovered that she - a female lead - was paid less than the male cameraman, (and not just her male co-star, Patrick McNee); that led to a challenge, - which she won - where she sought to be paid the same as her male colleagues.
In the James Bond franchise, she played possibly an excellent role as the only female love interest - in On Her Majesty's Secret Service - to have been Bond's clear physical, intellectual and social equal, the only woman to whom he was ever married.
However, she was also an accomplished stage actress, playing many roles with the RSC, and more recently, was a brilliant Lady Olenna Tyrell in the TV series, Game of Thrones.
RIP Diana Rigg.
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