Before there was Quantico’s Alex Parrish, there was Sydney Bristow.

Alias premiered 15 years ago today on September 30, 2001 and aired on ABC. Created by J.J. Abrams, it told the story of Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) who led a double life. She was an agent for the CIA but pretended to be an operative for a criminal spy organization known as SD-6.  Sydney had to hide her identity from family and friends in order to keep them safe.  Throughout the series’ run, she took on different aliases and disguises.  Additionally, she had fight skills that would rival Xena.

In addition to Garner, the cast of Alias included Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane, the head of SD-6,  Michael Vartan as Michael Vaughn, Sydney’s CIA handler who became her partner and also love interest, Bradley Cooper as Will Tippin, Sydney’s friend and a reporter who later works as an analyst for the CIA after learning the truth, Merrin Dungey as Sydney’s friend and roommate Francie Calfo who becomes a victim of Sydney’s double life and is killed with a dopple ganger later taking her identity, Victor Garber played Sydney’s father, Jack Bristow who was also leading a similar double life as his daughter, Marcus Dixon was played by Carl Lumbly.  He was Sydney’s friend and partner at SD-6. Rounding out the cast was Gregg Grunberg as Eric Weiss and David Anders as Julian Sark.  Later seasons added a mother and sister for Sydney.

  Alias ended its run after five seasons of intrigue on May 22, 2006.  But it will never be forgotten for it’s action and adventure story lines and strong female characters. Thank you J.J. Abrams for creating an amazing show and to the talented cast and crew who brought your vision to life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twTM9A2unPQ

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