Ugly Betty
Spoilers

It's finally almost here.

The fourth season of Ugly Betty premiere on Friday night, October 16.

During the two-hour special, Betty discovers many changes as she starts her new job as associate features editor. It doesn't help that her boss is her bitter ex-boyfriend, Matt Hartley.

The show will also focus on an important, real-life issue: Betty runs her own Mode photo shoot at the United Nations to promote its anti-malaria initiative, "Nothing but Nets."

Lynn Redgrave will also guest star on the episode, which will involve a fun Betty dream sequence. Click on the pics from "The Butterfly Effect" below for an early look at scenes from the installment:

On The View this week, meanwhile, star Ana Ortiz confirmed that Betty is ditching her braces this season. She said:

"They are coming off this season. Even in the first episode - it's a two-hour episode, it's brilliant - she starts to make the transition. It's really exciting."

Sorry, Turtle. But Jamie-Lynn Sigler will soon leave Entourage for a new primetime favorite.

At least the actual Jamie-Lynn Sigler will.

On October 16, the former Sopranos star joins the cast of Ugly Betty as Natalie, Daniel’s new assistant. As you can tell by the photo ABC released this week, the character will be a departure for Sigler:

Ugly Betty returns on October 16 with new episodes.

Fans of Ugly Betty may need to wait until October 9 for the show to premiere its fourth season, but we can offer two pieces of comforting news at least:

1. The episode will be two hours long;
2. In it, Betty will make like Sydney Bristow in Alias and Neo in The Matrix, all at once!

Lynn Redgrave and Kristen Johnson also guest star on the opening episode, a clip from which - that will make the second point above far more sensical- we've posted below:

While the extent of it is unknown, Betty Suarez is undergoing a makeover this season on Ugly Betty.

Now, TV Guide Magazine reports that veteran actress Lynn Redgrave will play a key role in this transformation.

Redgrave will guest star on the two-hour season premiere of the show, which airs on October 9. She'll portray Olivia, a jewelry designer that Betty - newly promoted to Mode's features editor - comes across while working on a story.

Olivia designs beautiful, bug-like baubles. In the course of relaying her story to Betty, she inspires the show's title character to come out of her shell and blossom in a new way.

Holy Ugly Betty casting news!

The ABC series may be moving to Fridays in the fall, but it isn't going quietly.

First, it looks like Paula Abdul's first post-American Idol role will actually be to guest star on the show. Sources have confirmed to Michael Ausiello that the wakcy former judge will be playing a new temp at Mode. Look for her to bond with Amanda.

Which of these guest stars are you more excited about?

Meanwhile, America's Next Top Model cycle three runner-up, Yaya Dacosta, has also nabbed a key part.

The polarizing, part-time actress will take over the recurring role of Wilhelmina’s daughter Nico, a role originated by Jowharah Jones. Dacost will debut on the October 9 season premiere.

She's previously appeared on All My Children.

** UPDATE: ABC has now confirmed that Abdul will NOT appear on Ugly Betty after all.

Many changes are coming to Ugly Betty.

For example, the show is moving to Friday nights this fall; and Smith Cho has landed a recurring role on the series.

But we hope fans are sitting down as they read this, for we're about to present the biggest change of all: Betty herself!

The character, played by America Ferrera, has undergone a makeover. Compare her season five look (below, left) with her classic style (below, right) and let us know which you prefer:

In an April interview with Entertainment Weekly, producer Silvio Horta broke news of Betty’s new look. He confirmed it would eventually include an absence of braces.

“There’s going to be a progression in her look overall,” he said. “It’ll still be Betty, but you’ll see some growth in that direction.”

Grant Bowler is coming back to Ugly Betty.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor has signed a contract with the show to reprise his role as Wilhelmina’s crooked ex-boyfriend Connor. He'll return for multiple episodes this fall.

Connor was last seen at the conclusion of season three. He fled town after Betty discovered he had embezzled millions from Meade Publications. Oops! 

Wilhelmina spent the rest of the season mending her broken heart. It will be interesting to see how she reacts to his appearance again.

Smith Cho has landed a recurring role on Ugly Betty.

The actress has starred on a pair of short-lived shows: Emily's Reasons Why Not and Knight Rider. She also appeared on an episode of Entourage in 2007.

Cho will debut on Ugly Betty’s two-hour October 9 season premiere - that's a Friday, remember! - as Betty’s quirky new officemate, Megan.

Betty has been promoted to features editor and she'll try to bond with Megan. Unsurprisingly, though, Cho's character won't know what to make of her.

A few casting notes to pass along, regarding a trio of our favorite fall shows...

• On Fringe, Ari Graynor's Rachel will appear on the season premiere. No word yet on her status beyond that.
• Gregg Henry (pictured) has been cast as Quinn's dad on Glee. Among other shows, the actor has guest-starred on Hung, Dollhouse and Gilmore Girls.
• Look for Rescue Me's Adam Ferrera to guest star as a contractor that crosses paths with Hilda on Ugly Betty.

Good news for Ugly Betty fans might be bad news for Turtle on Entourage.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has played a version of herself on the HBO hit for the last few episodes, is joining the cast of Ugly Betty.

According to Entertainment Weekly, she'll take on the recurring role of Natalie, Daniel's sexy, funny new assistant.

It looks like this photo does signify the end of Turtle and Jamie-Lynn on Entourage. So sad.

Natalie replaces Betty, who was promoted to features editor in last May's season finale.

Sigler will debut in the two-hour season four premiere on October 9. Good casting addition, fans?