SYDNEY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH NADIA IS THREATENED WHEN SHE BELIEVES THAT SLOANE IS TRYING TO REBUILD THE ALLIANCE, AND VAUGHN LEARNS A STARTLING SECRET ABOUT HIS FATHER, ON ABC'S "ALIAS"

Angela Bassett ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back," "Waiting to Exhale," "What's Love Got to Do with It") Guest Stars as CIA Director Hayden Chase

"The Index" - Sydney's theory that Sloane is trying to re-form the Alliance threatens her relationship with Nadia, who refuses to believe her father is double-crossing the CIA. Meanwhile, Vaughn learns the first of possibly many startling secrets about his father. Angela Bassett guest stars as CIA Director Hayden Chase, on "Alias," WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 (9:01-10:02 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"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, Greg Grunberg as Eric Weiss and Mia Maestro as Nadia Santos.

Guest starring are Angela Bassett as Hayden Chase, Michael Des Barres as Miles Devereaux, Lynne Moody as Rosemary, Kevin Scott Allen as French police officer, Osman Soykut as alliance member no. 1, Adriane Nichols as nurse, Daniel Kaemon as techie no. 1 and Adam Logan as techie no. 2.

"The Index" was written by Alison Schapker & J.R. Orci and directed by Lawrence Trilling.

"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.