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In real life, Diana Rigg had chosen to leave the series for a number of reasons, one of which was to accept a role in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

During her first season, as she eventually learned, she was making less than the cameraman — her salary was tripled, and that, combined with her loyalty to Macnee persuaded her to come back for 25 additional episodes ( including her farewell episode, which was actually shot well into the Tara King season ).

Eventually, the arduous shooting schedules, conflicts with the producers, the lure of film and stage roles, and a desire to challenge herself as an actress all combined to make her decide to leave the show for good.