BreakTV.com - The Avengers

Patrick Macnee

John Steed, the Eton-bred British Intelligence agent with the ubiquitous bowler and bumbershoot, is the single character to have figured in every season of THE AVENGERS, including THE NEW AVENGERS. He made his debut in 1961 opposite Ian Hendry as Dr. David Keel, the Avenger for whom the series was named.

Macnee pursued a successful acting career in the Canadian television industry in the early ’50s. Upon returning to England, his career took a turn toward producing, starting with the acclaimed 26-week series The Valiant Years. When offered the part of Steed in the new British adventure series, Macnee was reluctant. His solution was to request an inordinately high salary with the expectation that it would be rejected. His salary demand was met, and one of television’s most enduring characters was born.

John Steed

Forget any claims made by other British Secret Agents. John Steed is the Number One Spy on Her Majesty's Secret Service. Impeccably dressed from his highly polished shoes to his trademark bowler, he roars through the countryside in his vintage Rolls, saving England and the world from evil masterminds, double agents vengeful enemies of the state. No matter how rough and tumble the action got, Steed always comes through with aplomb, never losing his cool or the crease in his trousers.