Alison McCord is the youngest daughter of President Elizabeth McCord and First Gentleman Henry McCord. She is portrayed by Kathrine Herzer. As the middle child of the McCord family, Alison tends to feel overlooked compared to her siblings. She has a keen interest in fashion design.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Alison was born in 1999 to Elizabeth and Henry McCord, and was raised in Virginia with her older sister Stephanie and younger brother Jason.
Season 1[]
Alison McCord initially struggles with the family’s move to Washington, D.C., primarily because it leads to the breakup of her relationship with her boyfriend back home. However, she quickly adjusts to her new school, finding a group of friends. This is highlighted in Just Another Normal Day when she asks her parents to host a sleepover with five or six friends, surprising them with how quickly she’s settled in.
In Tamerlane, Alison’s 16th birthday is marked by tension at home as the family awaits news about Elizabeth. After Stevie urges Henry to be honest, he reveals to Alison that their mother is in Iran, trusting her maturity. Despite the serious situation, Alison distracts Jason by starting a silly string fight with Stevie and Henry, helping to ease the tension in the household while shielding her brother from the news.
Season 2[]
Alison is elected peer mediator at her school.
In The Long Shot, Alison reveals she has joined the school newspaper as a fashion columnist, focusing on trends, psychological aspects of style, and comparisons between high-end and affordable products. Excited about her new role, she shares her ideas with Elizabeth, but their conversations are repeatedly interrupted by Elizabeth’s work obligations. When Elizabeth later forgets details about Alison’s upcoming column, Alison becomes upset, accusing her mother of being uninterested in her life and making her feel invisible.
Stevie explains to Elizabeth that Alison’s interest in fashion has been a long-term passion, involving reading blogs, following trends, and even sketching her own designs. Stevie points out that Alison often feels overlooked, a dynamic attributed to middle-child syndrome, prompting Elizabeth to reflect on her daughter’s frustrations and the need to give her more attention and validation. The next morning, Elizabeth acknowledges Alison’s feelings, apologizing for unintentionally making her feel unheard. She shares her own childhood experience of feeling overshadowed and reaffirms how cherished Alison is, asking for her patience as she strives to be a better parent.
In Left of the Boom, Alison, Stevie, Jason and Henry McCord attend a women's education conference, where a dirty bomb is set off.
Season 3[]
Alison is accepted into Rafferty but makes the decision to go to Bayard instead.
Season 4[]
In Persona Non Grata, Alison returns home from college and spends time with her family, including a movie night with her siblings. Elizabeth and Henry notice she hasn’t started her fashion design midterm and confront her. Alison admits she feels out of place at Bayard, where her classmates have elite fashion backgrounds, and doubts her abilities. Henry encourages her to start small to build confidence, and she decides to begin by mounting the sleeves of her dress, taking the first step toward completing her project.
When Alison realizes she forgot to book a model for her presentation, Stevie reluctantly agrees to step in despite her stage fright. Moments before the show, Stevie reveals she and Jareth broke off their engagement and is overwhelmed by emotions. Alison comforts her but urges her to go through with the presentation, emphasizing how much she needs her support to succeed.