Netflix Casts Anthony Boyle, Julia Garner in Sam Bankman-Fried Limited Series The Altruists

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 8:21 pm

Netflix to Chronicle FTX Scandal in Limited Series "The Altruists"

Netflix is diving into the dramatic downfall of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange with a new limited series titled "The Altruists." The show will explore the meteoric rise and spectacular collapse of FTX, focusing on the key figures behind the scandal.

The series has secured a strong cast, with Anthony Boyle ("Masters of the Air") set to portray FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Julia Garner ("Ozark," "Inventing Anna") playing Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, a trading firm co-founded by Bankman-Fried. Both Bankman-Fried and Ellison were central figures in the FTX implosion, facing indictments for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024, while Ellison is currently serving a two-year sentence.

"The Altruists" promises to delve into the story of how Bankman-Fried and Ellison, described as "hyper-smart, ambitious young idealists," attempted to revolutionize the global financial system. The series will explore the events that led them to allegedly steal $8 billion. The eight-episode limited series will be co-showrun by Graham Moore ("The Imitation Game") and Jacqueline Hoyt ("The Underground Railroad"). James Ponsoldt will direct the first episode.

This project marks another collaboration between Netflix and Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground production company. Higher Ground has previously produced several successful Netflix originals. Garner's casting is particularly noteworthy, given her experience playing real-life criminals, including Anna Delvey in "Inventing Anna."

BNN's Perspective: The FTX scandal was a complex and devastating event, and a limited series offers a compelling format to explore the intricacies of the case. While the casting choices are promising, it will be crucial for the series to maintain a balanced perspective, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on the facts of the case. The involvement of Higher Ground suggests a commitment to quality storytelling, and the series has the potential to be both informative and engaging.

Keywords: Netflix, The Altruists, FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, Anthony Boyle, Julia Garner, Caroline Ellison, Alameda Research, cryptocurrency, fraud, limited series, Higher Ground, Graham Moore, Jacqueline Hoyt, James Ponsoldt, Ozark, Inventing Anna, prison sentence, wire fraud, money laundering, cryptocurrency exchange, financial scandal, Netflix series, TV show, drama

Full Story