While Lindsay Wagner, the original "Bionic Woman," sells Sleep Number beds in infomercials, British actress Michelle Ryan brings the iconic heroine into the 21st century with NBC's new imagining of "Bionic Woman," premiering tomorrow at 9 p.m. on WHDH (Ch. 7).

The 23-year-old is a household name in her native England for her years on the popular soap opera "EastEnders." But Ryan chose to leave behind cockney accents to tackle the high-flying flips and roundhouse kicks of Jaime Sommers, a young American woman who must balance her humanity with high-tech mechanical body parts following an accident.

"It does feel like it's a fresh start over here. I'm sort of so well-known in England for playing Zoe, who was actually quite a soft, even slightly weak character. So I love the fact that if the show works, I'll be sort of known as a very strong feisty character, and I think it's a nice progression for me," Ryan said during a recent conference call with reporters.

"I mean, what better way to be launched to an American audience than by playing, you know, `Bionic Woman'? I do feel so lucky to have got this job," Ryan said.

Ryan, a trained dancer, said the physicality of the role was a major part of its appeal.

"I'm a real adrenaline junkie, so I absolutely love doing it, and as much as possible, I'll do my own stunts," she said. "The stunts give you a real buzz as you go through the week."

Another obstacle for the newcomer is winning over Wagner's fan base from the '70s show. Wagner won an Emmy for the role in 1977.

"I know Lindsay Wagner became an icon for doing it and she was incredible, and I'm not trying to be her. I'm just doing my own interpretation," she said.

Because Ryan had little exposure to the original show, her take on the character may prove to be quite different.

"I remember seeing a couple of clips as a child and thinking that Lindsay Wagner seemed like a very nice, very pretty lady. But that's really all I sort of - the only memories I have of it, really," she said.

TENLEY WOODMAN