Netflix has released the first official trailer for The Altruists, the new eight-episode crime miniseries that recreates the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The production, starring Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle, will arrive on the platform globally on November 19.
Julia Garner returns to Netflix, the platform that catapulted her to fame with series like Ozark and Inventing Anna, to play Caroline Ellison, while Anthony Boyle, coming off a standout run with Masters of the Air and Manhunt, brings to life Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX.
What's on Netflix has closely followed the development of this project since it was confirmed in May 2025 that Netflix was preparing a biographical series about Sam Bankman-Fried. Now, the platform has officially confirmed the full trailer, the first images, and the definitive cast for what is described as the story of "the Gen Z Bonnie & Clyde."
First look at The Altruists trailer
The trailer offers a dizzying journey through the rise and collapse of FTX. The piece begins with Sam (Boyle) and Caroline (Garner) sharing their philosophy of betting it all, and traces their trajectory from idealistic crypto founders who sought to "change the world" through effective altruism, to the devastating moment they discover they have lost $8 billion in customer funds.
The preview shows the luxurious penthouses in the Bahamas, the frantic trading floors, and the media and legal pressure that, as hinted, was spearheaded by the Wall Street Journal's investigation, anticipating a high-tension drama.
What is The Altruists about?
The series is inspired by the extensive journalistic investigation by Kevin T. Dugan and Jen Wieczner for New York Magazine, and will focus on the two young executives at the epicenter of an $8 billion fraud.
This is the official logline provided by Netflix:
"The story of Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, two young, extremely intelligent, and ambitious idealists who tried to remake the global financial system in the blink of an eye, before being accused of stealing $8 billion and becoming the Gen Z Bonnie & Clyde."
The project is led by creator, writer, and showrunner Graham Moore, an Oscar winner for the screenplay of The Imitation Game, alongside co-showrunner and writer Jacqueline Hoyt, known for her work on The Underground Railroad and The Leftovers.
In statements shared by Netflix, Moore delved into the psychological complexity of the scandal's protagonists: "I truly believe that both Sam and Caroline were deeply committed altruists from day one, who set out to do as much good as possible for as many people as they could throughout their lives... Over the years that our series portrays, Sam and Caroline, with the best of intentions, convinced each other and themselves to commit a series of terrible crimes."
Jacqueline Hoyt shared that vision, teasing a nuanced look at the disgraced couple within the crypto world: "I think the audience will find our intimate story about these two morally conflicted individuals fascinating, and in the end, they will better understand why they did what they did."
Full cast of The Altruists on Netflix
Julia Garner, remembered for Ozark and Inventing Anna, returns to familiar territory on Netflix to play Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research. Beside her, as the disgraced founder of FTX, appears Anthony Boyle.
Both are accompanied by a large cast of series regulars:
Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World) as Sam Trabucco.
Karan Soni (Deadpool) as Nishad Singh.
Naomi Okada as Claire Watanabe.
Madison Hu (The Brothers Sun) as Constance Wang.
Matt Rife (Natural Selection) as Ryan Salame.
Eugene Young as Gary Wang.
The additional cast is rounded out by Paul Reiser as Joe Bankman, Robin Weigert as Barbara Fried, Maddie Hasson as Lauren Remington Platt, Marianna Phung as Lily Zhang, Jennifer Grey as Sara Fisher Ellison, Terry Chen as CZ, William Mapother as Dr. George Lerner, Jack Greenlees as Will MacAskill, Hudson Williams as Duncan Rheingans-Yoo, Elizabeth Adams as Hannah Miller, Hannah Galway as Lucy, Donald Heng as Hot Steve, David James Lewis as Bill, and Jasmine Lukuku as Valerie.
Who is behind the production?
The team behind the camera is as notable as the cast. The series is executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, along with Jessie Dicovitsky and Vinnie Malhotra, through Higher Ground Productions, the production company responsible for other Netflix hits like Leave the World Behind and Bodkin.
Scoop Wasserstein also participates as an executive producer representing New York Magazine/Vox Media Studios, alongside Tonia Davis, James Ponsoldt, Lauren Morelli, and Julia Garner herself.
In terms of direction, the eight episodes will be split among several directors: James Ponsoldt will direct episode 101; Kyle Patrick Alvarez will be in charge of episodes 102 and 103; Mairzee Almas will direct episodes 104 and 105; Graham Moore will helm episode 106; and Silver Tree will close the season with episodes 107 and 108.
Frequently asked questions about The Altruists
When does The Altruists premiere on Netflix?
The Altruists will release all eight episodes exclusively on Netflix on November 19, globally.
Who stars in The Altruists?
Julia Garner plays Caroline Ellison and Anthony Boyle plays Sam Bankman-Fried, the two central characters of the series about the collapse of FTX.
What is The Altruists about?
The series chronicles the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, accused of stealing $8 billion in customer funds from FTX, presenting them as two young idealists who ended up committing a massive fraud.
What is the story of The Altruists based on?
The series is inspired by the journalistic investigation by Kevin T. Dugan and Jen Wieczner published in New York Magazine regarding the FTX scandal.
Who created The Altruists?
The series is created, written, and produced by Graham Moore, an Oscar winner for The Imitation Game, alongside co-showrunner Jacqueline Hoyt, known for The Underground Railroad and The Leftovers.
