The Colombian soap opera has achieved various versions around the world
It is impossible not to know the story of Ugly, Betty, especially if you live in any South American country. Now, she is back, 20 years after the success of the original telenovela, in a series on Prime Video.
In Betty La Fea: The Story Continues, which premieres on July 19th on streaming, the protagonist’s life does not go as we imagined. After finding her great love, and going through a transformation in her career and personal life, Betty (Ana María Orozco) does not have the happy ending she expected. She is separating from Armando (Jorge Enrique Abello) while being invited to take a position at the fashion magazine she worked for, Ecomoda, after her father-in-law’s death.
Conflicts also arise with her daughter Mila (Juanita Molina), who is studying fashion in New York and wants to work in Hugo’s workshop, a notorious rival of the protagonist. The girl struggles with her parents’ separation and blames Betty for the decision.
The audience will also see familiar faces in the continuation of Ugly, Betty on Prime Video. Berta (Luces Velásquez), Sandra (Marcela Posada), Freddy (Júlio César Herrera), Patricia (Lorna Paz), Mario (Ricardo Vélez), and Hugo (Julián Arango) still hold positions at Ecomoda.
The dramedy is produced by RCN Studios and written by Marta Betoldi, César Betancur, Valeria Gómez, and Luis Carlos Ávila.
Check out what the cast of Ugly, Betty revealed to Pop Séries about the new episodes below.
POP SÉRIES – What is it like to continue such a beloved series throughout Latin America that has gained various versions worldwide?
ANA MARÍA OROZCO – It has been an incredible journey, an adventure, discovering many things, both professionally and personally. And let’s say that the fact that it has become so popular, in my case, is beyond my reach. Let’s say that, as an actress, when I started the project from the beginning, we never imagined it would take off this way.
JORGE ENRIQUE ABELLO – People were waiting for new episodes without the illusion that it would happen. And well, Prime Video and RCN Studios decided to please millions of viewers worldwide and made it happen. I feel happy and privileged to be a part of it.
JUANITA MOLINA – It is a responsibility. But it was iconic, the person in charge of playing the role of the daughter of the two most famous characters in telenovela history. For me, it was something I never imagined would happen. I remember hearing that they were thinking of making Betty and that the story would revolve around her daughter. But I remember thinking: it won’t be me.
*How will we find your characters in this new phase?
AM – I think that, like many couples in life, they can face crises and question whether they can divorce or not, it is part of life and the things that can happen, and I think it enriches the story and can also be very funny, because we will not lose sight of the fact that it is also a comedy. And that love is also present, so you have to see what happens, for that, you have to watch, obviously, and find out what it’s about, and not be afraid of it, because life is like that, life has its ups and downs and its crises and challenges, and they are not exempt from living it.
JM – Mila is a smart and intelligent girl, but she is also in a hurry, she is clumsy. She is a girl who had many privileges growing up and studied fashion in New York, so she is a girl who has seen the world. Her relationship with her mother is very troubled because Betty was always working when she was a child, so they became disconnected. Now that she is back in Colombia, Betty tries to reconnect, but they are strangers.
*Prime Video series will bring Betty’s story to new generations. What message do you think the series will leave for the audience?
AM – I think that, well, each person will interpret the story according to what they feel or experience. I think that’s the good thing about Betty, not just the character, but all the characters, that many people identify with the story, find a voice or a place where they say, “This happened to me.” Therefore, I think the message will be received according to what they interpret and feel about the story, because at no point did I intend to convey a message with the character.
I think it was more about Betty’s feelings, about being authentic, about being true to her essence, about laughing at herself and seeing things from that point of view. So, I don’t know, if there is a message, it’s like that, I think being authentic to oneself.
JE – Look, the question would be: would it be valid for us to come back if the previous Betty had not reached the new generations? Because I take pictures every day with children aged 7, 8, 9, 15, 20, 30 years… If I take pictures with children and very old people every day of my life. The children know Betty and the teenagers know Betty, people in their 20s know Betty, and I would almost say that there is no generation at this moment that does not know what Ugly, Betty is. I think we will soon reach all the generations that are waiting for new shows.
JM – I think this new format and this new language are different. You can’t expect to see the same thing you saw 20 years ago because that won’t happen. It’s something different. The story and the message that this season brings are something that empowers and shows the 21st-century woman. I think many daughters and mothers will connect because is not an easy relationship with our mothers. Therefore, we have a strong message. And even if the format is completely different and you don’t expect the things you will see, I think it is a bet that will probably bring not only the fans who were already connecting with Betty 20 years ago but also the new generation.
*How was it to reunite with the cast after 20 years? Can you tell us more about behind-the-scenes?
AM – What can I tell you? We know each other very well, we love each other a lot, and we are like a family. Every reunion is a party, a celebration. On stage, we get along very well. With Jorge Enrique, we have a good relationship during filming, we have fun. With all the actors, we are all very talented, the characters are very well-defined and structured. Betty’s universe is very alive and present. So, it’s just about playing and strengthening each other. And it’s very cool what happens when we are all together. It generates a lot of creativity and immersion. The truth is, it always enriches me a lot to work with them.
