NEED TO KNOW
Jennifer Garner admitted it was hard to keep details about Alias’ many twists and turns close to the chest during her time on the ABC series.
Fans of Garner and bestselling author Laura Dave came out to a book signing in Brentwood, Calif., on Jan. 15, to celebrate Dave’s new novel, The First Time I Saw Him, the sequel to the global phenomenon The Last Thing He Told Me.
The original book became a runaway hit and was later adapted into a wildly popular Apple TV series starring Garner, making her presence at the event especially meaningful.
During the event, Dave mentioned that she was “so afraid of getting in trouble” for accidentally slipping up and spoiling something about the new thriller, which Garner could relate to.
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Garner reflected on the challenge of keeping story details under wraps, drawing a comparison to her days on Alias.
“You should have seen back in Alias land, I was scared to say anything,” the 53-year-old actress shared. “I never said a word.”
Garner famously starred on Alias as Sydney Bristow – a highly skilled CIA double agent constantly juggling dangerous covert missions with the need to keep her true identity hidden from friends and family.
The ABC series ran for five seasons from 2001 to 2006 and became a defining role of her career. The series blended espionage, emotional drama, and action, quickly earning a loyal following. During its run, the show became famous for its shocking twists, from fake deaths to surprise double agents and time jumps — all of which Garner had to keep quiet about.
Along with the Elektra actress, the show featured a notable cast that included Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, Michael Vartan, and a young Bradley Cooper.
Years after the show ended, Garner made it clear she still holds affection for her character and the world of Alias.
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Appearing on The View in 2023, she sounded genuinely enthusiastic when the idea of a revival was raised. “Oh my gosh, would that be the most fun ever? That would be so fun,” she admitted.
While she expressed openness to returning, Garner emphasized that any reboot would hinge on the involvement of the show’s creator. “You know, that’s really, that’s up to J.J. [Abrams],” she explained at the time. “Nobody has ever really brought it up.”
For fans, her comments offered a hopeful reminder that the door to Sydney Bristow’s world may not be completely closed.
Meanwhile, season 2 of The Last Thing He Told Me comes out Feb. 20, 2026, on Apple TV.
