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In some ways the Sinclair character was inspired by Roger Moore's earlier work with The Saint and was first "tested" in an episode of that series, ‘The Ex-King of Diamonds’. These roles were similar to the James Bond role Moore played for seven Bond films in the ’70s and early ’80s. Like the Bond genre, The Persuaders creates a rich fantasy world of high living, fast cars, and beautiful women, and is also very often played, subtly, for laughs as much as drama. The contrast of the two main characters' personalities, as well as the rapport of the two actors, is used to great effect to create interesting stories. Seen from a modern perspective, the series is outrageously politically incorrect.
It is known for occasional ad libbing from Curtis and in-jokes relating to his birth name, Bernard Schwartz. Curtis did comment that some ad-libbing came due to the scripts having unrealistic "American" dialogue, which he had to change.
At the time, The Persuaders was the most expensive television series produced, at a cost of £100,000 per episode.
While it was a huge success in Britain, Europe and Australia, the series made little impact in the US, where it aired opposite . Given that the majority of the series was filmed in England—though with substantial location filming in France, Spain, Sweden and Italy—and was very English in flavour, it is perhaps not surprising.
The entire series was remastered for DVD in 2001.
Persuaders, The