Jennifer Garner marked the 25th anniversary of the ABC spy drama Alias on Wednesday, September 30, by sharing an Instagram montage that included a rare recent selfie with her former co-star and ex-boyfriend Michael Vartan, as reported by dailymail.com.
Instagram Montage Celebrates Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of ABC Spy Drama Alias
Garner posted a compilation video on Instagram featuring throwback footage, vintage clips, and current photos to commemorate a quarter-century since the series premiered on September 30, 2001, according to yahoo.com. The tribute highlighted the show’s run across five seasons on ABC, showcasing Garner in her signature role as CIA double agent Sydney Bristow alongside clips of her working with co-stars and crew members.
The anniversary post featured multiple figures central to the production, including series creator J.J. Abrams, Victor Garber, Ron Rifkin, and Merrin Dungey. Garner shared an audio voiceover reflecting on the close-knit nature of the television crew. “They were my whole world, the cast and crew, and they still are after all these years later,” Garner said in the video, describing the group as a small band that has stayed connected over the past 25 years.
Michael Vartan Appears in Recent Selfie Alongside Garner
Among the images in the social media tribute was a snapshot of Garner and Vartan posing together cheek-to-cheek. In the selfie, Garner wears a black sweater with her hair pulled back, while Vartan sports glasses, a faded blue denim chambray shirt, and a New York Mets baseball cap. Dailymail.com noted that Vartan appeared gray-haired with a beard in the photograph.
The two actors shared an onscreen romance on the series, with Vartan portraying CIA handler and eventual husband Michael Vaughn. Their relationship transitioned offscreen when they dated for roughly a year from mid-2003 to 2004 while the show was still in production. Yahoo.com reported that the two have remained friendly since their breakup, with Garner previously acknowledging Vartan’s birthday in November 2023 by sharing a vintage photo of their characters.
Garner Reflects on How Sydney Bristow Changed Her Career
In her anniversary voiceover, Garner discussed how taking on the physically demanding role of Sydney Bristow altered her trajectory in the entertainment industry. “Alias was so far outside of anything I had done,” she said. “No one had thought of me for action; no one had thought of me for a tough role. Playing Sydney changed me as a person. I walked differently after I played Sydney.”
Yahoo.com added that Garner previously recalled during a career retrospective that the production served as an acting boot camp requiring extensive stunt work, fight training, and disguises, which ultimately made her more confident and comfortable with demanding parts.
Cast Reactions and Personal Updates Highlighted in Tribute
The anniversary post drew responses from former colleagues and friends in the comments section. Merrin Dungey, who played Francie Calfo, joked about their fictional apartment fight scenes, writing, “Love you forever and I promise not to fight you in our apartment ever again.” Fitness trainer Valerie Waters and actress Reese Witherspoon also offered comments on the milestone.
Both actors have navigated significant personal and professional changes since the series ended in 2006. Garner went on to marry actor Ben Affleck in 2005, with whom she shares three children—Violet, Seraphina (Fin), and Samuel—before their 2018 divorce. She later began a relationship with business executive John Miller. Vartan stepped back from regular television and film appearances following roles in the CBS series God Friended Me in 2018 and the independent crime thriller Small Town Crime in 2017.
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