A: ABC publicist Jeff Fordis says the Swedish-born actress, who is the daughter of Ingmar Bergman acting colleague Stig Olin, is not related to American actor-producer Ken Olin. She is married to international director Lasse Hallstrom ("The Cider House Rules"), who directed her in the hit comedy "Chocolat."

Judging from my mailbag, most "Alias" fans agree with me that adding the beautiful and enigmatic Olin to the show as Sydney's mother is easily the most inspired casting coup of the current TV season. For all its "spy vs. spy" trappings, "Alias" is also one of the most profoundly moving family dramas on any network.

P. S.: For the record, Ken Olin is married to his former "thirtysomething" costar Patricia Wettig, who has a recurring role on "Alias" as Sydney's CIA therapist, Dr. Judy Barnett.

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