Ashley Jensen is leaving Ugly Betty at the end of the season, and I know this because… she was just cast as a series regular in the CBS comedy pilot Accidentally on Purpose!
A rep for CBS/Paramount confirms that Jensen is joining the cast of Accidentally, which revolves around a San Francisco movie critic (Jenna Elfman) who finds herself “accidentally” pregnant after a fling with a much younger man.
Jensen’s Betty departure hardly comes as a surprise. The actress was less than thrilled when Betty moved its production from Los Angeles to New York. In fact, Jensen was the only cast-member not to relocate to the Big Apple full-time — making for one hellish cross-country commute. Add to that the fact that she was barely visible on Betty this season and you have the makings of what an ABC insider calls “a completely mutual” parting of the ways. (BTW, props to my Frenemy for making my story look extremely dated first reporting Jensen’s exit back in January.)
“While we’re sad that Ashley will not be returning next season as a series regular, she is still a member of the Ugly Betty family,” Ugly Betty exec producer Silvio Horta said in an exclusive statement. “So don’t be surprised if you see Christina pop back up in Betty’s life.”
Thoughts on a Jensen-less Betty? Sound off below!
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Well, we kinda new it already huh? Ur frenemy Kristin had that story a couple of months ago- but it still remains sad
As much as I love Ashley Jensen on UB, I can see that she might want to try something else. For someone as talented and hilarious as she is, her role has been fairly small, especially in the last couple of seasons. Good luck to her.
I thought we all knew this was coming because she was unhappy with the NY move…
UB made a huge mistake not using Jensen as much as they should have this year. Good for her.
Don’t blame her.. its hardly a huge role for her. Wish she had been in it more.
Sad to see her go. But as Betty becomes more friendly with her “frenemies” Amanda and Marc, she doesn’t need to confide in Christina anymore, which was her main role on the show, being her ally amongst enemies.
I don’t blame her for leaving. She was completely underused on UB. I would’ve liked to have seen less Meade drama and more of Christina.
sad to see her go.
i love UB and she’s great on the show.
also sad to see her go – but hopefully she will get to shine in her new role. She was fabulous on Extras.
I love Jensen, but I will not see her new show (or anything with Jenna Elfman). I hope she finds a good gig after Accidentally gets cancelled.
Ugly Betty has been going downhill for a while now so it’s a good thing she bailed out now before it turns into an unfunny cartoon. Hopefully a pilot will be waiting for the great Vanessa Williams. Also why does Betty always have to get the “white nerd” boyfriend. Her most interesting non boyfriend Gio was dumped.
Christina kept me tuned in to Ugly Betty, so you can imagine how disappointing this season has been. I look forward to seeing Ashley anywhere…she was phenomenal on Extras. I was hoping she’d join Parks and Recreation. If Greg Daniels reads this….
Yeah, she knows a sinking ship when she sees one. lol Good for her. Ugly Betty was one ugly mess she wants to put behind her.
I have a suggestion for ABC. Why don’t they spin-off Ugly Betty in a new direction next season?
After Betty Aces her Y.E.T.I. internship, she, Marc, Christina and our dearly departed Cliff start their OWN fashion magazine! We could even have Henry back as the magazine’s CFO. It could be backed by Wilhemina so we don’t lose her timeless wit. Since Amanda is already living with Marc, she could be the Jay and Silent Bob of the magazine, and Betty’s new Paramour — whatever richboy’s name is — could buy her a office space.
P.S. You can tell ABC I’ll accept thanks in paycheck form.
Ugly Betty is still airing? Really? Oh well.
Ugly Betty is still airing? Really? Oh well.
I wish she would be back on Extras so we could see Maggie and Andy finally get together. Ashley Jensen will always be Maggie to me! I still love/hate her for kissing Orlando Bloom and Daniel Radcliffe haha
Jay, your spinoff idea is sort of nice, but without the Meade family in there somewhere, it sounds incomplete and boring. Therefore, I have a solution: Keep on with the show we already have! Thanks!
your frenemy kristin reported this months ago…come on ausiello, at least try to report new news!
It’s kind of funny, but ironically, when the show was in LA and not in NYC, it actually did better in terms of storylines. Now, the show has that authentic backdrop that it always wanted, but for what? It doesn’t really matter in the overall scheme of things, does it?
I recommend the book “Accidentally on Purpose” by Mary Pols. Love Jenna Elfman and looking forward to Jensen on the pilot too!
the show sucks now. she’s better off leaving because she’s actually really good.
Ashley Jensen is great, but her talent has always been completely wasted on UGLY BETTY, no matter which coast it filmed on. Best of luck to her.
Sad to see her go, she’s always been one of the best parts of the show.
Hey EW, SUPER job implementing these new captcha things I have to fill out every time I post. TOTALLY stops the spammers.
Can’t blame her for leaving, but let’s face it: A CBS sitcom with a limited/contrived premise starring Jenna Elfman is not going to last more than one season, if even that. Good luck, Ashley.
YES SETH: Why oh why is Jenna Elfman the lead of the new show and NOT Jensen?
Jensen wasn’t the only one who didn’t move. Rebecca Romijn wanted to stay in CA as she was pregnant, and she left the series. She too has a series of her own coming up.
Will miss her, but I’m glad to lose her to greener pastures. It’ll be nice for her to have more screen time.
GOOD FOR HER..ABC IS A LOUSY FRACKING NETWORK ANYWAY..I WISH HER WELL
Well, with no more Christina, that’s just one more reason for me to stay away from the show. I say spin off Amanda and Marc into their own series — set in West Hollywood. And FTR, I’m straight … The show, however, it doesn’t seem to know what it is anymore. Not gay enough in either the original or the modern definitions of the word “gay.”