Wonder Woman is an American superhero television series based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It originally aired on ABC and later on CBS from 1975 to 1979, starring Lynda Carter as the titular character. The show is a blend of action, adventure, and fantasy, following the adventures of Wonder Woman, also known as Diana Prince, a warrior from the Amazonian island of Themyscira who comes to the United States to fight evil and protect humanity. The series became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Lynda Carter’s portrayal of Wonder Woman as an enduring symbol of female empowerment.
With a combination of superhero action and light-hearted drama, Wonder Woman became one of the defining superhero television shows of its era, capturing the imagination of audiences and inspiring generations of fans.
The Premise of Wonder Woman
The show begins with Wonder Woman’s origin story. Diana, an Amazon princess, lives on the secret island of Themyscira, a utopia inhabited solely by women. These Amazons are gifted with extraordinary strength, agility, and wisdom, and they have lived in isolation from the world of men for centuries. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when Steve Trevor, a U.S. military pilot, crash-lands on the island during World War II. Diana saves Steve, and after learning about the global conflict, she volunteers to accompany him back to the United States to help fight against the Axis powers.
Taking on the alias Diana Prince, she works as Steve’s assistant while secretly fighting crime and battling the forces of evil as Wonder Woman. Armed with her iconic bulletproof bracelets, the Lasso of Truth, and her superhuman abilities, Diana becomes a symbol of justice and peace in the war-torn world. The first season of the show focuses primarily on Wonder Woman’s adventures during World War II, pitting her against Nazi spies, criminals, and supervillains.
In the second and third seasons, the setting shifts to the 1970s, and Wonder Woman, now working for the Inter-Agency Defense Command (IADC), continues her battle against modern threats such as terrorists, corrupt businessmen, and supervillains. Her alter-ego, Diana Prince, works as a secret agent alongside Steve Trevor Jr. (Lyle Waggoner), the son of the original Steve Trevor.
Main Characters
The success of Wonder Woman can be attributed not only to its action-packed plots but also to its memorable characters, each of whom played a key role in the series’ appeal.
- Wonder Woman/Diana Prince (Lynda Carter): Diana is the show’s titular character, an Amazon princess with superhuman strength, speed, agility, and near-invincibility. Lynda Carter’s portrayal of Wonder Woman brought grace, charm, and strength to the role, making her an icon of female empowerment. Diana’s alter ego, Diana Prince, works as an assistant and later as a government agent, allowing her to navigate between her superhero identity and everyday life. Carter’s performance balanced both the regal, heroic side of Wonder Woman and the grounded, relatable nature of Diana Prince. Throughout the series, Wonder Woman’s commitment to truth, justice, and peace is unwavering, and she serves as a role model for viewers of all ages.
- Steve Trevor (Lyle Waggoner): Steve Trevor is a U.S. military officer who plays a central role in the early part of the series. After crash-landing on Themyscira, Steve is saved by Diana, and the two form a close partnership. In the first season, set during World War II, Steve is a prominent character who assists Wonder Woman in her missions against the Axis powers. When the show transitions to the modern era in the second season, Steve’s son, Steve Trevor Jr., takes on a similar role, working alongside Diana at the IADC. Lyle Waggoner’s portrayal of both Steve Trevors provides a dependable and brave companion to Wonder Woman, though she remains the true hero of the series.
- Queen Hippolyta (Various actresses): Hippolyta is the queen of the Amazons and Wonder Woman’s mother. She appears throughout the series, particularly in the episodes set on Themyscira. As the ruler of the Amazons, Hippolyta embodies wisdom and strength, and she reluctantly allows Diana to leave the island to help the world of men. Different actresses portrayed Hippolyta during the series, including Cloris Leachman, Carolyn Jones, and Beatrice Straight, each bringing a unique interpretation to the role.
- Drusilla/Wonder Girl (Debra Winger): Drusilla is Diana’s younger sister, who occasionally appears in the show and eventually adopts the persona of Wonder Girl. Her character adds an extra layer of family dynamics to the series, as she looks up to Wonder Woman but also seeks to prove herself as a capable warrior. Debra Winger’s portrayal of Drusilla provided comic relief as well as additional action sequences, helping to expand the mythology of the Amazonian warriors.
- Joe Atkinson (Normann Burton) and Etta Candy (Beatrice Colen): These characters appear in the early seasons of the show and serve as Diana’s colleagues. Etta Candy, in particular, provides some comic moments in the show’s first season as Diana’s friend and fellow military secretary.
Themes and Symbolism
One of the core themes of Wonder Woman is the empowerment of women. As an Amazon warrior and superhero, Wonder Woman represents the strength, independence, and compassion that women are capable of. Unlike many male superheroes of the time, Wonder Woman fights not just with physical strength, but also with wisdom, diplomacy, and a strong moral compass. She uses her Lasso of Truth to force enemies to confront their lies, symbolizing the power of honesty and integrity.
The show’s first season, set during World War II, often touches on themes of patriotism and heroism, as Wonder Woman fights alongside American forces to defeat the Axis powers. However, the show is careful not to glorify violence; Wonder Woman rarely kills, instead relying on non-lethal methods to defeat her enemies. Her mission is one of peace, and this pacifist philosophy is reflected in her interactions with both friends and foes.
As the series progresses into the modern era, Wonder Woman begins to explore more contemporary issues, including corruption, terrorism, and environmentalism. Diana’s commitment to justice and truth remains constant, but the nature of her enemies evolves as society changes.
Another prominent theme is the balance between Diana’s dual identities as Wonder Woman and Diana Prince. While she is a powerful superhero, Diana’s human alter ego allows her to connect with ordinary people, often solving problems without using her superpowers. This duality reflects the show’s message that true strength comes from character, not just physical ability.
Action and Special Effects
For its time, Wonder Woman was notable for its action sequences and special effects, many of which became signature elements of the show. Wonder Woman’s iconic spinning transformation—where Diana Prince twirls to become Wonder Woman—became an enduring image of the series. The use of slow motion to highlight Wonder Woman’s super speed and agility added drama to the fight scenes, making her feats seem even more impressive.
Wonder Woman’s use of her bulletproof bracelets to deflect bullets, her invisible jet, and the Lasso of Truth were also central to the show’s action sequences. While the special effects may seem dated by today’s standards, they were groundbreaking at the time and helped establish Wonder Woman as a superhero capable of standing alongside her male counterparts in terms of action and adventure.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Wonder Woman became a cultural icon, inspiring generations of fans and leaving a lasting legacy in both the superhero genre and popular culture. Lynda Carter’s portrayal of Wonder Woman was widely praised for capturing the essence of the character, combining strength, compassion, and grace. She became synonymous with the role, and her performance continues to be celebrated today.
The series is credited with helping to break gender stereotypes by presenting a strong female lead in an action-packed role during a time when television was dominated by male superheroes. Wonder Woman’s independence, intelligence, and physical strength made her a role model for young girls and women, showing that women could be just as powerful and heroic as men.
The impact of Wonder Woman can be seen in its continued presence in pop culture. The character has been adapted into numerous animated series, comics, and feature films, with Gal Gadot taking on the role in the modern DC Extended Universe. However, Lynda Carter’s portrayal remains the gold standard for many fans, and her performance in the 1970s series continues to influence how the character is depicted today.
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