AP Photo/Phil McCartenAs part of Totally Tube 2007, we're counting down Five Newbies You'll Love. Today, we meet Numero Quatro: Michelle Ryan, who reinvents Jamie Sommers as NBC's new Bionic Woman. Read on!
Who She Is: Michelle is a completely fresh face on American television, but she's a well-known TV star in the U.K., where she appeared in the BBC soap EastEnders and the six-episode miniseries Jekyll.
Where to Meet Her: Michelle takes over where Lindsay Wagner left off—as the Bionic Woman in NBC's new remake from Battlestar Galactica producer David Eick and Karen Sisco creator Jason Smilovic. She'll tangle with an angry little sister from whom she must keep her bionic secret, a boyfriend who gave her robot parts in the first place, a shadowy organization that wants to put her to work fighting bad guys and, oh yeah, Katee Sackhoff as Sarah Corvis, a bionic prototype gone bad. Man, one day you're just working your way through school as a bartender, and the next, you're doing fight scenes that reenact Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with Starbuck from BSG. The life of a superheroine is never dull.
Why You'll Love Her: Because she's sparkling and genuine, and she carries herself with a certain benevolent grace that's reminiscent of Julie Andrews. As Jamie, she's alone against the big bad world, yet she gives the character a certainty of purpose that keeps her in control of every scene.
Want to meet Michelle for yourself? Watch the video below, where Michelle talks to Korbi about the show. Then tune in Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. on NBC for the series premiere of Bionic Woman.
Get more fall TV scoop in Totally Tube 2007!