CI5: The New Professionals based on Clemens' original intentions. Clemens intended for the original series to be an "ensemble" group, not just focusing on the three main characters. The new show was intended to return to this intended ideal, with the new 4.5 (originally Doyle) and 3.7 (Bodie) as part of a team effort. Of the original series' stars, Gordon Jackson died in 1990 and allegedly, though not verified, Wickes "never even thought" of approaching Martin Shaw. Since some of the co-financing for the show was derived from his association with American TV networks, he did, however, approach Lewis Collins to see if he
John Cowley (actor) Laurence Olivier seeking a position at the Old Vic; however, Olivier politely declined. In 1964, Cowley was chosen to play the part of Tom Riordan in RTÉ's new series, "The Riordans". His performance won him a Jacob's Award in 1967 and he continued in the cast until the series ended in 1979. Tom Hickey, who played Tom Riordan's son, Benjy, described Cowley as the "central rock of "The Riordans"" and "the father of the whole enterprise". Following "The Riordans", Cowley returned to the stage and continued acting up to the end of his life. At the time of his death,