Ugly Betty marks 20 years since ABC premiere

The ABC comedy-drama series ‘Ugly Betty’ marks its 20th anniversary since its premiere on September 28, 2006. An adaptation of the Colombian telenovela ‘Yo soy Betty, la fea’, the show was created by the late Silvio Horta and executive produced by Salma Hayek.

The series follows Betty Suarez, a young woman from Queens portrayed by America Ferrera, as she navigates the fashion publishing industry at Mode magazine. Ferrera received critical acclaim for her performance, winning the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series during the first season. The program itself earned a Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical Series.

Unlike many contemporary shows of the mid-2000s, ‘Ugly Betty’ was noted for its refusal to follow a traditional makeover narrative, focusing instead on the protagonist's character and her relationships with her immigrant family and colleagues.