Royal return - Queen Latifah & Ugly Betty

Queen Latifah is getting a second shot at daytime success.

Latifah, who hosted the syndicated “The Queen Latifah Show” for two seasons (1999-2001), has inked a deal with Sony to return to the daytime talk show arena.

The Oscar nominee (for “Chicago” in 2002), will develop and host the show, which is set to premiere in fall 2013.

The show, which doesn’t yet have a home, will be executive-produced by Will Smith’s production company, Overbrook Entertainment, and Latifah’s company, Flavor Unit.

“We have known and admired Latifah for over 20 years, dating back to our music days, and to her first television role,” Overbrook’s Miguel Melendez said in a statement.

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TAKE TWO:Queen Latifah’s last talk show lasted two seasons.

Latifah, 41, has a long history on TV. Before hosting her talk show, she starred on the Fox sitcom “Living Single” for five years and had a recurring role on NBC’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (starring Smith).

“The Queen Latifah Show,” which was syndicated by Telepictures -- a division of Warner Bros. -- mixed celebrity chatter with topical subjects and earned a reputation as a straightforward, reliable show which just couldn’t get a foothold in the crowded daytime field.

It aired here on Ch. 5 and premiered the same season as “Martin Short,” “Dr. Joy Browne” and “Richard Simmons’ Dreammaker,” all of which were short-lived.

Latifah’s upcoming talk show joins previously announced talk shows coming down the pike hosted by Katie Couric (produced by ABC for a fall 2012 launch), “Family Feud” and syndicated radio host Steve Harvey and “Survivor” host Jeff Probst.

Latifah (born Dana Elaine Owens in Newark, NJ) grew up in nearby East Orange and began her career as a rapper for the group Ladies Fresh before being signed to Tommy Boy Records.

In addition to her Oscar-nominated turn in “Chicago” (as “Mama” Morton), Latifah has appeared on the big screen in “Living Out Loud,” “The Bone Collector,” “Bringing Down the House” and “Hairspray,” among many other roles.

She’s won a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award (while being nominated six other times) and earned an Emmy nomination in 2007 for HBO’s “Life Support.”

Her links to Will Smith go beyond “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in 1996, she also co-starred with Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, in the big-screen movie, “Set It Off.”

Sony also produces “Dr. Oz” and “The Nate Berkus Show,” among other daytime offerings.

Ugly Betty America Ferrera on playing Chicago's Roxy Hart

America Ferrera is best known as the frumpy but lovable star of ABC's Ugly Betty.

But now the 27-year-old is proving that she has a saucier side when the occasion calls for it.

Arriving in London for her West End debut as the irrepressible Roxy Hart in Chicago, she said: 'Roxy definitely brings out the crazy sex kitten in everyone.'

Discovering her saucy side: Ugly Betty star America Ferrera will star as Roxy Hart in Chicago at The Garrick Theatre alongside Darius Campbell from next week

'It’s fun to get to live in that place and be driven by gut and emotions and desire and whatever she wants at the moment,' she told the Evening Standard.

America has spent the last month preparing for her role as Roxy, which is her first major role in a musical.

And she hasn't taken her training lightly, as appearing in the West End has been a life-long dream.

Grateful: America admits that her frumpy role on Ugly Betty opened up a lot of opportunities

'I will be doing the biggest thing I have ever wanted to do in London,' America gushed.

'There is such a history of theatre and plays and playwrights in London and it’s the motherland for actresses if you like, it’s where our history began in theatre.'

America has taken to her 'training with gusto, though she admits it hasn't been easy.

New ground: Unlike Popstar to Opera Star's Darius, America has never appeared in a musical before

This is a little bit like boot camp for me,' she said. 'I would say there’s a part that aches every day, a different part every day.'

She remains grateful to Ugly Betty for opening up opportunities.

'She is such a beloved character. I think that is wonderful that she stays with people and will always stay with me for the rest of my life,' Ferrera said.

In her element: America has always dreamed of starring in the West End

And the benefit of Ugly Betty’s trademark braces is that people do not necessarily recognise America when she appears in public without them.

'I get to go by quite anonymously. I get a lot of people staring like they think they went to high school with me, I look familiar, but they’re not sure. I can usually scoot by like a college kid in a sweatshirt,' she admitted.

Starring opposite: Popstar to Operastar singer Darius Campbell will take on the role of Roxy's lawyer, Billy Flynn

Her co-star, Popstar to Operastar's Darius Campbell, is also excited to take on the role of Roxy's lawyer, Billy Fynn.

He's the consummate businessman and a wonderful guy,' he said.

Chicago re-opens at the Garrick Theatre next Monday.

A lot to live up to: America is very conscious of London's theatrical tradition

Found fame: America rose to stardom in the title role of ABC comedy Ugly Betty