The Untold Truth Behind Ugly Betty's Season 4 Finale: Why It Really Ended

Summary

Ugly Betty ran for four seasons from 2006 to 2010 and ended with the season 4 finale, disappointing fans who had to bid farewell to beloved characters.

Ugly Betty experienced a decline in ratings during its fourth season, ultimately leading to its cancellation by ABC. However, there is still hope for fans of the show as several former cast members, including America Ferrera, have expressed interest in a potential Ugly Betty reunion or movie.

Ugly Betty aired for four seasons, lasting from 2006 to 2010, concluding with the season 4 finale. Starring America Ferrera as the main character, Betty Suarez, alongside a talented cast including Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade, Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater, Tony Plana as Ignacio Suarez, Ana Ortiz as Hilda Suarez, Becki Newton as Amanda Tanen, Michael Urie as Marc St. James, and Mark Indelicato as Justin Suarez. The show was based on a Colombian telenovela called Yo soy Betty, la fea, and followed Ferrera's character as she strives to prove her worth in a fashion magazine, despite being hired for the wrong reasons.

Upon its debut, Ugly Betty achieved great success for ABC, thanks to Ferrera's portrayal of Betty and the captivating storylines. However, the journey ended with season 4, as the series finale bid farewell to beloved characters such as Betty, Daniel, Hilda, and their companions.

ABC Canceled Ugly Betty After Season 4 Due To Ratings

Despite initially receiving positive reviews and high ratings, Ugly Betty experienced a significant decline in viewership during its fourth season, leading to its cancellation. While the third season attracted an average of 8 million viewers, the fourth season saw a drop to just 5 million. After witnessing a continuous decline in viewership during season 3, ABC attempted to revive the comedy-drama series by changing its timeslot from Thursdays at 8:00 pm ET to Fridays at 9:00 pm ET for the first half of season 4.

Notably, airing on Fridays, which is often considered a less popular slot, did not improve Ugly Betty's ratings. Recognizing this, the network made another move in an attempt to salvage the show. Halfway through the fourth season, Ugly Betty was rescheduled to air on Wednesdays at 10:00 pm ET. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done, and the show could not recover from its poor ratings. As a result, ABC made the decision to cancel Ugly Betty in January 2010, four months prior to the season 4 finale.

The Ugly Betty Cast Still Have Hopes For A Reboot Or Movie

Former cast members of the Ugly Betty series are still hopeful for a reunion, more than 13 years after the show ended. Ana Ortiz, America Ferrera, and Michael Urie expressed their interest in creating a movie centered around their characters after the fourth season concluded in 2010. Although there haven't been any formal plans for a film, the rumors and enthusiasm from fans keep the possibility of a reunion alive. Additionally, Michael Urie recently declared in June 2023 that it's time for an Ugly Betty reboot, adding to the growing trend of reboots, revivals, and reunion movies. It seems that fans may not have seen the last of Ugly Betty.