Betty Mania!

America Ferrara, Vanessa Williams, Judith Light, Mark Indelicato, Eric Mabius, Becki Newton, and Lindsay Lohan celebrate ABC's Ugly Betty move to New York.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Sep 17, 2008 • New York

Fans lined West 48th Street on Monday night -- those not lucky enough to enter Highbar that is -- as the stars of ABC's hit comedy Ugly Betty came out to celebrate the season premiere, which will air on Thursday, September 25. After two years of filming in L.A., the show is now being shot in New York (where the series is set) and the cast told TheaterMania.com they couldn't be happier to be roaming around the Big Apple. Stars with theatrical roots, like America Ferrera, Vanessa Williams, Judith Light, and Ana Ortiz (a member of the LAByrinth Theatre Company, but no relation to co-founder John Ortiz), all said they hoped the homecoming will afford them a chance to return to the Big Apple boards soon. Others, like Becki Newton and Mark Indelicato, are itching to make their Broadway debuts. And to a person, the cast can't wait to catch as many shows as possible, with In the Heights, Gypsy, and South Pacific topping many a wish list.

Emmy Award winner America Ferrara (center), looking far different than her character, frumpy fashion magazine assistant Betty Suarez, poses happily with her equally lovely co-stars Becki Newton (Amanda) and Ana Ortiz (Hilda).

Broadway great Vanessa Williams plays the always scheming Wilhelmina Slater.

Eric Mabius, who plays Mode owner Daniel Meade, is a favorite of the show's female fans.

Daytime Emmy winner and Off-Broadway veteran Judith Light returns as Daniel's strong-willed mother Claire.

Betty's ultra-sophisticated nephew Justin, played by the ultra-sophisticated Mark Indelicato, will get his chance to audition for a big Broadway musical this season.

Tony Plana, who plays the good-hearted Ignacio Suarez, is relishing his encounters with local fans in Jackson Heights.

Actor and musician Val Emmich will join the cast this season as Jess, an actor and musician -- and a new love interest for Betty.

Australian actor Grant Bowler will be another welcome new face on the show, playing Mode's chief financial owner.

Finally, here's superstar Lindsay Lohan, who will guest star on the series again as Kimberly, Betty's former classmate.