James Van Der Beek has been tapped for a guest role on ABC's hit dramedy, Ugly Betty.  According to E! Online, Van Der Beek will play the owner of a fashion house called Attic Attire.

A "slightly homophobic designer," Van Der Beek's character experiences some problems working with Mode magazine's co-editor, Alexis Meade (Rebecca Romjin), who is a transsexual.  He pressures Alexis' younger brother, Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), to fire Alexis because he refuses to do business with her.

The 30-year-old actor first rose to fame when he starred in the popular teen drama series, Dawson's Creek.  On the show, James Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker who gets involved with his best friend, Josephine “Joey” Lynn Potter (Katie Holmes).  Other cast members included Joshua Jackson (Bobby) as Pacey Witter, Oscar nominee Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain) as Jen Lindley and Kerr Smith (Justice) as Jack McPhee.

James Van Der Beek's other notable acting credits include Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction and Criminal Minds.

Other celebrities who have appeared as guest stars on Ugly Betty include Gina Gershon (Bound, Face/Off), and Salma Hayek, who also serves as an executive-producer for the show.  Gershon is known for her portrayal of Italian cosmetics mogul Fabia, the arch-rival of Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams), while Hayek appeared in the first season as seductive magazine editor, Sofia Reyes.

In the forthcoming season of the series, actor Freddy Rodriguez and singer Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham are expected to appear.  Rodriguez will play a new character named Giovanni, a sandwich cart operator who becomes Betty's (America Ferrera) new love interest, while Beckham will reportedly play a fat version of herself.

For this year's Emmy Awards, Ugly Betty's debut season picked up four acting nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress for Ferrera, Oustanding Supporting Actress for Williams and Outstanding Guest Actress for both Hayek and Judith Light.  In addition, the show is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.

The second season of Ugly Betty will premiere on September 27.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: E! Online, ET Online
(Image Courtesy of E! Online)