Jennifer Garner Lost a Role — Then She Found 'Alias'

Jennifer Garner once lost out on a role she wanted badly. Two weeks later, she landed the part of Sydney Bristow in "Alias," the breakout role that would define her career.

Before landing her breakout role in “Alias,” Jennifer Garner was eyeing a part on another hit show, “The West Wing.”

Jennifer Garner as double agent Sydney Bristow in 2001 | Source: Getty Images

In a recent appearance on the "Aspire with Emma Grede" podcast, Garner recalled auditioning for a new role on the series and wanting it so badly, but she failed to get the part.

Following that rejection, Garner said, "I had to like go to the desert my first time in Palm Springs by myself and just sit there for a couple of days."

But two weeks later, that rejection would prove to be fate’s way of leading her to the perfect role. Looking back, Garner joked about the timing: "So what is it? Rejection is God's protection? Whatever that is, I'm all for that. Let's believe that, you know? Let's go with that."

Jennifer Garner with the cast of "Alias" | Source: Getty Images

In “Alias,” which premiered in September 2001and ran for five seasons until May 2006, Garner played double agent Sydney Bristow. By January 2002, she won a Golden Globe for the role, beating Lorraine Bracco and Edie Falco of “The Sopranos.”

Jennifer Garner posing with her Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series for her role in "Alias" in January 2002 | Source: Getty Images

"Playing Sydney Bristow defined me for so long, and it re-defined me to myself," Garner has said of the role, adding that it made her stronger and more confident.

Garner remembers her last day of filming came the day after her birthday. "The crew had a plane fly over with a banner for me, so I remember that," she recalled, "and I feel like my mom was visiting. It was very emotional."

A file photo of Jennifer Garner from the finale of "Alias" in April 2006

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The finale included the death of Garner’s on-screen father (portrayed by Victor Garber), which she admitted, was difficult to watch.