The Champions (1968)
A cult classic British spy-fi series where three secret agents wield superhuman powers against global threats.
The Champions - Series Information
- Original Title: The Champions
- First Air Year: 1968
- Last Air Year: 1969
- Created by: Monty Berman, Dennis Spooner
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 30
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: האלופים (IL)
The Champions - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the series' thrilling spy-fi action.
Where to Watch The Champions
Looking for where to watch The Champions?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Champions - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Monty Berman
- Dennis Spooner
Main Cast
- Alexandra Bastedo
- William Gaunt
- Stuart Damon
- Anthony Nicholls
- David Prowse
- Vernon Dobtcheff
- Anthony Chinn
- George Murcell
- Joseph Fürst
- David Lodge
Writers
- Dennis Spooner
- Donald James
- Philip Broadley
- Tony Williamson
- Ralph Smart
The Champions - FAQs
Where can you stream The Champions today?
The Champions is available to stream on BritBox via Amazon Channel and Shout! Factory TV (with ads). You can also purchase episodes through Amazon Video. It's a surprisingly accessible classic given its age, making it easy to revisit or discover for the first time.
What is The Champions TV series about?
Three agents working for the Geneva-based intelligence agency Nemesis — Craig Stirling, Sharron Macready, and Richard Barrett — survive a plane crash in the Himalayas and are rescued by an ancient hidden civilization that grants them superhuman powers, which they then use to combat global threats.
Who are the main actors in The Champions?
The three leads are Alexandra Bastedo as Sharron Macready, William Gaunt as Richard Barrett, and Stuart Damon as Craig Stirling. Anthony Nicholls plays their commanding officer, Cmdr. Tremayne. A young David Prowse — later famous as Darth Vader — also appears in the series.
Did David Prowse appear in The Champions?
Yes — long before donning the Darth Vader suit in Star Wars, David Prowse appeared in The Champions as a Weightlifter. It's one of several early television roles that showcased his imposing physical presence before he became one of cinema's most iconic villains.
How many episodes does The Champions have?
The Champions ran for a single season of 30 episodes, broadcast on ITV1 between 1968 and 1969. The complete run is self-contained, giving the series a satisfying beginning and end without the loose threads of a cancelled multi-season show.
Who created and wrote The Champions series?
The series was created by Monty Berman and Dennis Spooner. The writing team was remarkably distinguished, featuring genre veterans like Terry Nation (creator of the Daleks), Brian Clemens (The Avengers), and Ralph Smart, alongside Spooner himself and several other accomplished television writers.
Is The Champions worth watching for modern audiences?
For fans of classic British spy-fi, absolutely. The Champions blends Cold War espionage with superhero concepts in a way that feels surprisingly ahead of its time. The chemistry between the three leads is genuine, and the show's imaginative premise still holds up as a charming, stylish relic of late-1960s television.
What shows are similar to The Champions?
If The Champions appeals to you, try Get Smart for classic spy-fi comedy, Reacher for action-driven agent thrills, or In From the Cold for a modern take on agents with extraordinary abilities. MacGyver (2016) and Shooter also share the action-adventure espionage tone of the series.
More About The Champions
Explore further details about The Champions on these authoritative databases.