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Entertainment • TV series

Ugly Betty

Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from 2006 to 2010.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from 2006 to 2010. It stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, a smart but unfashionable young woman who works at a New York fashion magazine. The series is known for its themes of identity, body image, and representation.

Premise

Ugly Betty follows Betty Suarez as she enters the competitive world of fashion publishing at Mode. The story combines workplace comedy and family drama as Betty navigates professional challenges and personal relationships.

Cast and characters

The series stars America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, with Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade and Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater. Other regular cast members include Ana Ortiz, Tony Plana, Michael Urie, Becki Newton, and Judith Light.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by Silvio Horta and produced by ABC Studios, Reveille Productions, Silent H Productions, and Salma Hayek’s Ventanarosa. It premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006 and ended on April 14, 2010.

Reception and legacy

Ugly Betty received critical acclaim, particularly for its performances and social themes. It became notable for its visibility of Latino and LGBTQ+ characters and won several major television awards, including two Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Peabody Award.

Key facts

  • The series centres on Betty Suarez, a Mexican American woman from Queens who works at the fashion magazine Mode.
  • It was created by Silvio Horta and adapted from the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea.
  • America Ferrera played the title character and received critical praise for her performance.
  • The show won major awards including Golden Globes, Emmys, and a Peabody Award.
  • Ugly Betty was credited with improving Latino and LGBTQ+ visibility on American television.
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Canadian context

The series aired widely in Canada through North American television distribution and remains part of Canadian viewers’ access to U.S. network television and streaming catalogues.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ugly Betty about?
It follows Betty Suarez, a smart young woman from Queens who works at a high-fashion magazine and must adapt to a glamorous but difficult workplace.
Who created Ugly Betty?
The series was created by Silvio Horta.
What show was Ugly Betty based on?
It is based on the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea.
Who played Betty Suarez?
America Ferrera played Betty Suarez.
How many seasons did Ugly Betty have?
It ran for four seasons.
What awards did Ugly Betty win?
It won multiple major awards, including two Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Peabody Award.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugly_Betty
    Supports: Premise, cast, awards, themes, run dates, adaptation background
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805669/
    Supports: Original run, country of origin, language, cast, release date
  3. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-88a6d83a-e4b2-4626-9b04-977a9be5f4d6
    Supports: Series description, seasons, genre, cast
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ugly-betty
    Supports: Synopsis, creator, network, genre, release date
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70157131
    Supports: Synopsis, creators, cast, genres, LGBTQ+ categorization