20 Years Ago, This 'Lincoln Lawyer' Star Got Her Big Break on Ugly Betty

Many grew to love Becki Newton in the 2000s for her role as Amanda Tanen on Ugly Betty, and now she returns as Lorna Crane on Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer. The shows differ widely in premise, but both characters share a fashionable edge and a sharp, snarky wit that Newton delivers with precise comedic timing.

The Lincoln Lawyer, which premiered in 2022 and is based on books by Michael Connelly, follows defense attorney Michael "Mickey" Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) as he works out of the back of his chauffeured Lincoln Navigator. His team includes private investigator Cisco (Angus Sampson), driver and office manager Izzy (Jazz Raycole), and Lorna, Mickey’s second ex-wife who serves as legal aid and later associate.

Lorna is fiercely loyal and protective, and her arc includes working through the trauma of an assault in law school before becoming a lawyer to defend others. Ugly Betty, adapted from Fernando Gaitán’s Yo soy Betty, la fea by Silvio Horta, centers on Betty (America Ferrera) at the fashion magazine Mode.

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