Netflix Taps Julia Garner & Anthony Boyle for “The Altruists”: A High-Stakes Drama on the Crypto World’s ‘Gen Z Bonnie & Clyde’
Get ready for a deep dive into the dizzying rise and dramatic fall of two of the crypto world’s most notorious figures. Netflix has cast Emmy-winner Julia Garner (Ozark, Inventing Anna) and Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air) as the leads in its upcoming limited series, “The Altruists.” The drama will chronicle the tumultuous relationship and alleged financial machinations of Caroline Ellison and Sam Bankman-Fried, a duo once at the heart of the now-infamous cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
Described as a story about “Gen Z’s own Bonnie and Clyde,” “The Altruists” is set to explore the “wild romance” between “two hyper-smart, ambitious young idealists who tried to remake the global financial system in the blink of an eye – then seduced, coaxed, and teased each other into stealing $8 billion.”
Sam Bankman-Fried, once hailed as the “poster boy” of bitcoin, co-founded FTX with Gary Wang in May 2019. By November 2022, the company was in a state of spectacular collapse amidst widespread customer mistrust and swirling rumors of fraudulent transfers of client funds. Just two months later, Bankman-Fried was arrested, marking a shocking downfall for the crypto wunderkind. The series promises to delve into the intricate details leading up to these events.
The creative team behind “The Altruists” boasts impressive credentials. Graham Moore, known for his Oscar-winning screenplay for “The Imitation Game,” and Jacqueline Hoyt (“The Leftovers,” “The Good Wife”) will serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. James Ponsoldt, who has directed episodes of acclaimed series like “Shrinking” and “Daisy Jones & the Six,” is set to helm the first of the eight-episode series.
“For nearly three years now, Sam and Caroline’s story has been my daily obsession,” Moore shared with Netflix’s Tudum. “I’m so grateful to my friends at Netflix and Higher Ground for loving this story not only as much as I do, but in the same way that I do. And we can’t wait to show all of you why.”
“The Altruists” marks Julia Garner’s third major collaboration with Netflix, following her critically acclaimed roles in “Ozark” and “Inventing Anna.” Audiences will next see her take on the iconic Marvel role of Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer in the upcoming “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Anthony Boyle, recognized for his work in Apple TV Plus’s “Masters of the Air,” is currently filming “House of Guinness” for Netflix, a historical drama from “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight.
With a compelling true story of ambition, alleged betrayal, and billions of dollars at stake, “The Altruists” is shaping up to be a must-watch drama. While we await further details and a release date, there are plenty of other fantastic series to explore on the streaming giant.
