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Erica Durance Channels Wonder Woman for Harry's Law Guest Spot

After seven seasons as Lois Lane on Smallville, Erica Durance has lassoed another iconic comic-book-based role. The Canadian actress guest stars on tonight's episode of Harry's Law as Annie Bilson, a victim of domestic violence who suffers a psychotic break and believes she is Wonder Woman (9/8c, NBC). "This is her...

Rich Sands

After seven seasons as Lois Lane on Smallville, Erica Durance has lassoed another iconic comic-book-based role. The Canadian actress guest stars on tonight's episode of Harry's Law as Annie Bilson, a victim of domestic violence who suffers a psychotic break and believes she is Wonder Woman (9/8c, NBC). "This is her way of dealing with the trauma," Durance says. "She goes out as a vigilante and exacts what her vision of justice is on some individuals who have victimized other women. She goes a little too far and has to go to Harry's firm and get some representation."

First Look Video: Watch Erica Durance Kick Butt as Wonder Woman on Harry's Law

The episode finally gives executive producer David E. Kelley (who wrote the script) his chance to get the venerable superhero on the air after his Wonder Woman pilot starring Adrianne Palicki wasn't picked up by NBC last spring. Durance's costume is from the same skin-tight design as the one Palicki wore (which was inspired by the comic book character's makeover created by DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee). "Getting into the outfit took three or four ladies [helping]," she says. "The corset certainly makes sure that you stand up straight."

The costume wasn't the only potentially unforgiving element of this gig, given Wonder Woman's very protective and passionate fan base. "You don't want to be disrespectful to the people who really love Wonder Woman," Durance says. "The beauty of this role is that she isn't specifically Wonder Woman. She's a person who thinks she is. As an actor, that gives you a slight sigh of relief."

Having worn a variety of over-the-top outfits on Smallville — pole dancer, cage fighter, French maid, the superhero Isis and even a variation on Wonder Woman, just to name a few — this was familiar territory for Durance. "I've been lucky enough to do a few roles where you get to be crazy and wild, put on contacts and different wigs and different hairpieces and dresses and outfits and embody the craziness of it all," she says. "It's good. It's part of why I signed up for it."

What she's signed up for next is the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope, which has been picked up by CTV north of the border, with NBC in negotiations to air the series stateside this summer. Durance stars as a doctor whose husband, the hospital's chief of surgery (played by fellow Smallville alum Michael Shanks), is in a coma and roaming the hospital in spirit form. Durance's character tries to save his life while also dealing with the daily drama of being a surgeon. Says Durance: "It's about as grounded and as far away from the superhero stuff as you can get."

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