Honestly, if you close your eyes and think of Wonder Woman, you probably see a specific image. It isn’t a comic book drawing. It’s a 5'9" woman with piercing blue eyes, a golden tiara, and a costume that looks like it was stitched out of the American flag. Lynda Carter didn’t just play a character; she basically became the blueprint. But there is a huge part of the story that gets buried under the nostalgia of the 1970s.
Most people remember the "spin." You know the one—the dizzying pirouette where Diana Prince transforms into a superhero in a flash of light. It’s iconic. But did you know Lynda Carter actually invented that herself? The writers were stuck. They had no idea how to handle the costume change on a TV budget without it looking ridiculous. Carter, who had a background in dance, suggested the move. She figured a pirouette was elegant and quick. It worked.
The history of Lynda Carter and Diana Prince is way more than just a girl in a bathing suit fighting Nazis. It’s a story of a woman who was down to her last $25 when she got the role. It’s a story of a show that jumped through time, changed networks, and somehow survived being "dumbed down" by executives who didn't understand what they had.
The $25 Breakthrough
It sounds like a Hollywood cliché, but it’s 100% true. In 1975, Lynda Carter was a struggling actress and singer. She had been Miss World USA 1972, but that doesn't pay the bills forever. She was ready to pack it all in and head back home to Arizona.
Then the phone rang.
She had beaten out hundreds of other women, including future Charlie’s Angels star Jaclyn Smith. The producers originally wanted someone more established, maybe even Raquel Welch. But Lynda had something else. She had this weird mix of authority and kindness. When she put on the suit, she didn't look like she was in a costume. She looked like she belonged there.
The first season was set in the 1940s. It was campy, sure, but it stayed pretty true to the original 1941 comics by William Moulton Marston. Diana Prince was a Yeoman First Class, a "plain" secretary for the military. The irony? Carter was so naturally stunning that putting glasses on her didn't really hide much. But she played the role with such earnestness that you just went with it.
Why Season 2 Changed Everything
If you watch the show today, the jump between the first and second seasons is jarring. One minute Diana is fighting Nazis, and the next, she’s in 1977 working for the IADC (Inter-Agency Defense Command).
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ABC didn't want to renew the show. They thought the period piece setting was too expensive. CBS swooped in, but they wanted it modernized. This is where the Lynda Carter and Diana Prince dynamic really shifted. Diana wasn't just a secretary anymore. She was a full-on field agent.
The Evolution of the Look
- The Eagle: In the first season, the eagle on her bustier was a solid, detailed design. By season two, it was simplified and more stylized.
- The Shorts: They got shorter. This was the late 70s, after all. The stars were also rearranged into a more "starburst" pattern.
- The Material: The original satin was replaced with a more flexible poly-blend that allowed Carter to actually move without the costume falling apart every five minutes.
People often overlook how much Lynda fought for the character's dignity. Producers kept trying to make Diana Prince more "helpless" to make the Wonder Woman reveal more dramatic. Lynda hated that. She pushed back, insisting that Diana had to be capable, smart, and have a personality of her own. She didn't want the secret identity to be a joke.
The Secret Latina Heritage
Here’s a fact that often gets missed: Lynda Carter is Mexican-American. Her mother, Juana Córdova, was from Mexico.
In the 70s, Hollywood wasn't exactly shouting about diversity. Most people just saw a "classic American beauty." But Carter has always been proud of her heritage. She brought a specific kind of warmth to the role that felt different from the stiff, untouchable heroes of the era. She wanted women to want to be her best friend, not just be jealous of her.
The Gadgets and the Grind
The "Lasso of Truth" was a nightmare on set. It was basically a gold-painted rope that kept breaking or losing its luster under the studio lights. And those bracelets? They were made of real brass. When "bullets" (which were actually small explosive squibs) hit them, it was dangerous. Carter was doing her own stunts more often than the studio probably liked.
The invisible plane was another funny one. On screen, it looked... well, like a plastic outline. But behind the scenes, it was a giant plexiglass prop that was incredibly difficult to film around because of the reflections.
Beyond the Lasso
- The Cape: She only wore the full Americana cape for special occasions or "stunt" moments. It was heavy and made running nearly impossible.
- The Swimsuit: There was a specific "diving" costume for underwater scenes. It had a matching blue swim cap. It’s one of the rarest versions of the outfit.
- The Motorcycle Gear: In the later seasons, she had a blue jumpsuit for biking. It was the show's attempt to look "modern" and "cool."
Why It Still Works in 2026
We’ve had Gal Gadot. We’ve had various animated versions. But Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince is still the one people quote. Why? Because she didn't play her as a "female version" of a male hero. She played her with empathy.
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In one famous story, a stunt double's son was being bullied at school because kids didn't believe his mom was Wonder Woman. Lynda found out, invited the whole class to the set, and performed a scene just to prove the kid right. That's the energy she brought to the role.
The show eventually ended in 1979 because of a mix of declining ratings and a shift toward "teen-centric" programming like The Dukes of Hazzard. The writers tried to keep up by putting Diana in disco clubs and around skateboards, but it felt forced. The magic was in the character, not the trends.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Lynda Carter and Diana Prince, here is how to actually engage with the legacy:
- Watch the Remasters: Don't settle for old grainy clips. The series was remastered in High Definition, and the colors—especially the reds and blues of the costume—pop in a way that shows the true craftsmanship of the 70s designers.
- Check the Cameos: Lynda’s appearance as Asteria in Wonder Woman 1984 isn't just a random walk-on. It’s a direct nod to her being the "Golden Warrior" of the franchise. It’s a passing of the torch that actually respects the history.
- Look for the "Mego" Dolls: If you’re a collector, the original 1977 Mego dolls are the gold standard. Interestingly, later versions removed Lynda’s face from the packaging due to licensing disputes, making the "face" boxes highly valuable.
- Listen to her Music: Remember, she was a singer first. Her album Portraits was released during the height of the show's fame. It gives a lot of insight into her headspace during those years.
Lynda Carter once said that Wonder Woman is an idea that lives inside you. It wasn't about the flying or the strength; it was about the "fight for what's right" spirit. Diana Prince was the vehicle for that. Even fifty years later, that spin still feels like magic.