Ugly Betty 'Hopefully we can do Ugly Betty: The Movie'

America Ferrera reveals what’s in store in the fourth and final series of Ugly Betty...

It’s four flamboyant years since Ugly Betty’s aesthetically-challenged Betty Suarez made her first tentative forays into the world of journalism at Mode magazine. This week marks the end of an era as the fourth and final series begins on E4 on Wednesday, 11 August. We caught up with America Ferrera, who plays Betty, to find out what’s in store...

How do you feel about Ugly Betty coming to an end?
“It’s bittersweet. It’s been a huge part of my life and I’ve grown up on the show and learned what I want out of my career and life. I’m overwhelmingly grateful I’ve had this opportunity with such a great cast. It’s a role that I loved from the first moment and now I have the chance to see Betty through her journey and wrap it up.”

So is Betty going to finally get rid of her braces?
“Yeah, her braces come off, which is huge for her. I didn’t want the show to end without Betty transforming, both inside and outside. The show has always been about a girl who starts in a very green place and comes to own herself, her skin, her body, her womanhood, her confidence, her career, and her life.”

Tell us about the episode you filmed in London?
“It’s called London Calling and it’s all about moving forward. Ashley Jensen and Freddy Rodriguez, who play Christina and Gio, come back for that episode. I really love how they use those characters, and how their presence propels Betty forward.”

Are there any twists this series?
“Well, I don’t want to give anything away, but there is a bombshell that makes all the characters re-evaluate their directions and lives. There’s also going to be a wedding in the finale, but I can’t say whose.“

Were you happy with the ending?
“Very. I think it feels good and real to this character, and I’m grateful that we had the time to wrap things up and do justice to Betty’s story which we’ve been setting up for years.”

Why do you think people embraced Betty?
“From the very beginning, I always received a lot of letters from people who relate to her. I think people really enjoyed watching something that mixes up the image of what a girl should look like.”

Is there any chance of an Ugly Betty movie?
“There’s always a chance. Hopefully, people will want more and then we can come back in Ugly Betty: The Movie in a couple of years and see what life after the show brought her. That would be wonderful and our audience would love it.”

You shot to fame so quickly as Betty. How do you deal with the scrutiny?
“I don’t think about it, because I find it ridiculous. There’s a different set of rules in the celebrity world and to spend any time thinking about what’s written about me is such a waste of energy. I hope to have a career based on the work I do and not whether a gossip site says I look good or bad in a dress.”