SEASON PREMIERE

SYDNEY LEARNS THAT SHE IS PREGNANT WITH VAUGHN'S BABY, AND VAUGHN IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, SUSPECTED OF BEING A DOUBLE AGENT, ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF ABC'S "ALIAS"

The electrifying Emmy Award-winning spy drama, "Alias," returns for an emotionally gripping fifth season in the life of CIA agent Sydney Bristow. Jennifer Garner stars in her Golden Globe Award-winning role in this non-stop thrill ride through espionage, adventure and heart-wrenching drama. "Alias" will have its season premiere on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

After Sydney accepted an assignment to be a member of a new black ops sector of the CIA, known as APO, she was shocked to discover that Sloane was heading up the unit. Without an ounce of trust for her nemesis, Sydney kept a watchful eye on him, as did Vaughn, Dixon and Marshall. But she had to keep her suspicions in tow while working with her half-sister and Sloane's daughter, Nadia, in order not to alienate her and lose her trust. Sydney was hard-pressed to define the enigma that is Sloane when he shot his own daughter in order to save Sydney's life. Meanwhile, Jack's near-death experience and the truth behind why he had wrongly believed he killed his ex-wife and Sydney's mother, Irina Derevko, strengthened the bond between father and daughter; and fianci Vaughn's revelation that he may not be the man Sydney thought he was caught her completely off guard, and a horrendous car accident left their fates in limbo.

In the season premiere episode, "Prophet Five," after learning that the man she has known as Michael Vaughn is under investigation and suspected of being a double agent, Sydney begins to question whether their business and personal relationship over the years had all been a lie. When she discovers that she's pregnant with Vaughn's baby, she becomes determined to uncover the truth about him. Meanwhile, because of Jack's past betrayal by Irina, he begins to worry that his daughter may suffer the same fate that he did.

This season, new agents will be introduced and a nefarious organization will come to light in Sydney's life as she fights to protect her unborn child -- all the while traveling incognito, outsmarting the bad guys and keeping the world safe.

"Alias" stars Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, Victor Garber as Jack Bristow, Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane, Michael Vartan as Michael Vaughn, Carl Lumbly as Marcus Dixon, Kevin Weisman as Marshall Flinkman, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Grace, Rachel Nichols as Rachel Gibson and Ilodie Bouchez as Renie Rienne.

Guest starring are Tyrees Allen as Gordon Dean, Art Chudabala as Dr. Parks, Leon Russom as James Lehman, Nico Samano as SWAT team leader, David Marshall Grant as Ivan Curtis, Dominic Comperatore as doctor and David Jean Thomas as butler.

"Prophet Five" was written by Alison Schapker & Monica Breen and directed by Ken Olin.

"Alias" was created by J.J. Abrams, who executive-produces the series along with Ken Olin, Jeff Pinkner, Jesse Alexander and Jeffrey Bell. The series, which is filmed in Los Angeles and premiered on September 30, 2001, is from Touchstone Television.

"Alias" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.