Ugly Betty

Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which aired on ABC from September 28, 2006, to April 14, 2010. It is based on the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea, created by Fernando Gaitán. The series follows Betty Suarez, a smart and well-meaning young woman from Queens, New York, who lacks fashion sense but secures a job at a high-end fashion magazine, Mode. As she navigates a glamorous but cutthroat industry, Betty challenges stereotypes and expectations while advancing her career and maintaining close ties to her family.

The series was produced by Salma Hayek’s production company Ventanarosa, along with Silent H Productions, Reveille Productions, and ABC Studios. The pilot episode was filmed in New York City, but production moved to Los Angeles for the first two seasons before returning to New York for the final two. The show stars America Ferrera as Betty, alongside Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams, Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, Michael Urie, and Becki Newton.

Ugly Betty received critical acclaim for its performances—particularly Ferrera’s—as well as for its themes of identity, body image, and representation. It won several major awards, including two Golden Globes, three Emmys, and a Peabody Award in 2007. Though ratings declined in later seasons, the series developed a strong following and is credited with advancing Latino and LGBTQ+ visibility in American television. Interest in a potential revival continued since its conclusion.