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We don't really need an explanation of why women kick ass. We just sort of accept that Jennifer Garner or Sarah Michelle Gellar or whomever have the power to clobber big, buff guys. But if you're hung up on the physicality, here's one explanation for you. A woman is given cyborg arms and legs that give her super strength. That's how she kicks ass. It's a new Bionic Woman (click here for our review of the first episode) and Michelle Ryan makes her U.S. debut in the title role. The British TV star won the role of Jamie Sommers, the latest government experiment in human enhancement.

CraveOnline: Is this show going to be a big pain in the butt, hanging on wires all day?

Michelle Ryan: I'm going to sound really strange but I enjoy all of it. I feel like you suffer for your art and the hanging up there just adds to the character in my opinion, for me personally.

CraveOnline: The first episode was so serious. What room is there for humor on the show?

Michelle Ryan: I think there is a little bit. From what I heard, there will be some lighter moments. I think Jamie's going to have some friends. I think that there will need to be a few moments of lightness, but I think ultimately, it's quite dark.

CraveOnline: What was it like fighting Starbuck on the rooftop?

Michelle Ryan: I would fight with Katie and I would have these bruises and there was this one section where she would be saying, “Hit me, hit”, and I was like, “But I don’t want to hurt you.” And she was like, “No just hit me. So it was interesting how she was coaxing it out of me.” I had done all my training, but I sort of still didn’t want to hurt her. When you fight on set you try to not hurt anybody. But she sort of said to me, “No, just do it.” It was interesting how she was sort of bringing it out in my sort of the way Sarah is bringing out the strength in Jamie.

CraveOnline: Who do you think won that fight?

Michelle Ryan: There is an interesting twist that I won’t give away. You really feel like “Jamie, wow, she kicked ass and she gave it her all…” but there is an interesting twist that I was told about from the writers, but I think Jamie gave as good as she got.

CraveOnline: Are you ready to become an American celebrity?

Michelle Ryan: I feel like I have had seven years experience in England for five years from the age of 16 and I was immediately thrown in the spotlight. I know what to expect. I know it is a bigger scale over here. So I feel like if you work hard and you keep your private life private, you will be okay.

CraveOnline: Will there be more opportunities for romance on the show?

Michelle Ryan: I think there is going to be. From what I can gather, it is just focusing on the work and Jamie has to come to terms with the fact that she is bionic. And I am still working on the show, so there is not really time for romance. I think we have lots of different ideas for love triangles and there is obviously the relationship with Will. She is a woman so all of those feelings and hormones and emotions will come up. I think that initially it will be her dealing with becoming Bionic. But I think hat absolutely down the line, she has got to have some romance.

CraveOnline: Do you have any feelings one way or the other about Isaiah Washington being cast?

Michelle Ryan: I just look forward to seeing what he brings as an actor. Same as with all the actors. My parents were so thrilled Miguel [Ferrer] was in this. I am sort of excited just to sort of be leading it. I am 23 and I am an unknown Brit and I get to play this iconic American character makes me feel so privileged.

CraveOnline: How familiar are you with the original series?

Michelle Ryan: I saw a bunch of clips from the 70s Show. I remember when I was younger seeing them and Lindsay Wagner seemed like a very pretty lady but that was all I kind of remembered.