The Professionals (TV series) The Professionals (TV series) The Professionals is a British crime-action television drama series produced by Avengers Mark1 Productions for London Weekend Television (LWT) that aired on the ITV network from 1977 to 1983. In all, 57 episodes were produced, filmed between 1977 and 1981. It starred Martin Shaw, Lewis Collins and Gordon Jackson as agents of the fictional "CI5" (Criminal Intelligence 5, alluding to the real life MI5). "The Professionals" was created by Brian Clemens, who had been one of the driving forces behind "The Avengers". The show was originally to have been called "The A-Squad". Clemens and Albert Fennell
Jack the Ripper (1988 TV series) to play a serial killer who mutilates women). The casting of Michael Caine was considered to be a major coup, as the actor was not known for doing television work. "Jack the Ripper" reportedly earned Caine a fee of $1 million. In the original version of the series, Abberline's partner George Godley was to have been played by Brian Capron. He was replaced by Lewis Collins (best known as Bodie in the ITV action series "The Professionals"). American actor Armand Assante and British actress Jane Seymour, both well known to American audiences, were added to the cast at the suggestion