ABC has canceled its spy drama “Alias,” according to an announcement Wednesday by Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment.

The show, which stars Jennifer Garner as CIA agent Sydney Bristow, will end its five-season run in May 2006.

ABC already had scheduled a broadcast hiatus due to Ms. Garner’s maternity leave. The network’s summer reality hit “Dancing With the Stars” will return for a second cycle beginning Thursday, Jan. 5, at 8 p.m. (ET), airing in the time period “Alias” has occupied this season.

“Alias” is scheduled to return to the network’s lineup with original episodes in the spring and finish out its run at the end of the TV season.

The series’ producers vowed in the announcement to end the series in a way that honors all of the disparate elements of the show. Creator J.J. Abrams designed the show as a “spy adventure, family drama and love story that contained deeper mythological elements,” executive producer Jeff Pinkner said in the announcement.

“We wrap up the story of Sydney Bristow in a surprising and, we think, thrilling way,” Mr. Pinkner said.

“Alias” was created by Mr. Abrams, who executive produces the series along with Ken Olin, Mr. Pinkner, Jesse Alexander and Jeffrey Bell. The series, which is filmed in Los Angeles and premiered Sept. 30, 2001, is from Touchstone Television.

In addition to Ms. Garner, “Alias” stars Victor Garber as Jack Bristow, Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane, Carl Lumbly as Marcus Dixon, Kevin Weisman as Marshall Flinkman, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Grace, Rachel Nichols as Rachel Gibson and %C9;lodie Bouchez as Ren%E9;e Rienne.

“Alias” has received seven Emmy Awards, and Ms. Garner won a Golden Globe Award in 2002 for her leading role.