RACHEL NICHOLS JOINS THE CAST OF ABC'S "ALIAS"

Rachel Nichols is set to join the cast of "Alias" for the series' fifth season. "Alias" will have its season premiere on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Ms. Nichols will play Rachel Gibson, a technical analyst working for a black ops division of the CIA.

Rachel Nichols most recently starred in the television drama "The Inside," and also starred in the remake of the horror classic "The Amityville Horror," opposite Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George and produced by Michael Bay. She will soon be seen in "The Woods," opposite Patricia Clarkson and Agnes Bruckner. A small town New England native, Ms. Nichols first caught the attention of a modeling scout while attending the prestigious Columbia University in New York City, from which she graduated with a double major in math and economics. After campaigns with such brands as Guess, L'Oreal, Abercrombie & Fitch and Nicole Miller, she broke into the world of acting when her agent sent her out on an audition for "Sex and the City." Although it was the first audition she had ever been on, she was offered the role. She also appeared in the films "Autumn in New York," with Richard Gere, and "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd."

"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 and Rachel Nichols as Rachel Gibson.

"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.