An actor who played a loveable bad boy in Ugly Betty has been called ‘handsome as ever’ 14 years after the season finale . Eric Mabius took on the role of Daniel Meade between 2006 and 2010 before the comedy-drama, based on the telenovela Yo soy Betty, la Fea, was axed after four seasons. The series followed Betty Suarez, played by Barbie actress America Ferrera , who lands a job at the fancy fashion magazine Mode, despite being considered unstylish (Gen Z would now be obsessed with her knitwear) and coming from more humble beginnings than the other employees.
The unlikely friendship between Betty and her boss Daniel was a key narrative throughout the episodes as they became increasingly intrinsic to each other’s lives. Daniel starts off as a man who loved partying and romancing multiple women, while not acknowledging his privilege as a white man who got his job through the family name. However, under Betty’s guidance, he becomes an unrecognisable version of himself, and there’s even a possibility he’d give up womanising for the titular character.
Disappointed fans didn’t ever get their answer as to whether the pair were going to give things a go – the whole series ended on a cliffhanger with Daniel bumping into Betty, who had moved from New York to London. It may have been 14 years since the hit show was taken off air, but Daniel’s youthful appearance makes it seem as if it’s only been 14 days. The 53-year-old actor shares an insight into his life on Inst.