The first woman to be a good fighter on TV, was Emma Peel.

Her performance, was also the first time "Kung Fu" was used in movies.

She also wears the black suit a lot, has the same hair, has the kinky appearance and circumstances.
A fighter that can beat most men, but is a woman.

I wouldn't be surprised, if she was the model to come up with the Dark Mistress as a personality.