Much like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, Betty Suarez will undergo a transformation this season—and no less than
Lynn Redgrave will be instrumental in the makeover.
TV Guide Magazine has learned exclusively that Redgrave will guest star on the two-hour season premiere of ABC's
Ugly Betty, airing October 9. The acclaimed actress will play Olivia, a jewelry designer whom Betty—Mode's newly christened features editor—meets while working on a story.
Redgrave's eccentric character designs beautiful baubles that look like bugs. In the course of sharing her story, Olivia inspires Betty to come out of her own cocoon and blossom in her appearance (yet keep the braces, at least for now).
In her esteemed career, Redgrave has been nominated for two Oscars, two Tonys and an Emmy, and she has won a pair of Golden Globes. Her recent TV credits include a June 2009 episode of
Law & Order: Criminal Intent and a 2007 appearance on
Desperate Housewives, playing mum to Dougray Scott's Ian.
Others guest-starring on Betty this season include
The Sopranos' Jamie-Lynn Sigler (a confidante for widowed Daniel),
3rd Rock from the Sun's Kristen Johnson (as a Mode temp), onetime Top Model wannabe Yaya Dacosta (now playing Wilhemina's daughter Nico) and
The New Adventures of Old Christine's Hamish Linklater (as a new designer for Gucci).