ABSTRACT
They were tough. They were resourceful. They never shrank from a challenge. And, to cap it all, they also had a finely-tuned sense of style and panache. They were the heroes and heroines of the profusion of television ‘action’ series that emerged as a staple ingredient in popular television schedules from the late 1950s through to the end of the 1970s. During the 1980s their numbers thinned, but in the 1990s they were back, firmly on top of the situation. The likes of The Saint, The Avengers, Charlie’s Angels and The Professionals remained a force to be reckoned with. Wherever there was a hot-spot or a tight corner they were there, setting the world to rights and restoring order – but always with a particular élan and sharpness of attitude. Their blend of irrepressible resilience and keen-nerved savoir-faire proved a winning combination and, into a new century, audiences still enjoyed their world of fast-paced adventure and sexy flourish. Moreover, their ranks had been joined by a new generation of action TV champions. The times, the places and the motivations were certainly different – undoubtedly nuanced and re-configured – yet there was no doubting their ‘action TV’ lineage. They may have been vampire-slayers in suburban high-schools, FBI investigators on the trail of an extra-terrestrial conspiracy, or Amazonian warriors in a neo-classical fantasy world – but they were still the nieces and nephews of the original action TV line-up. The tell-tale trademarks were unmistakable. There was the same robust vigour, the same slick dynamism and the same stylish flair.
