Bankman-Fried and Ellison's Rise and Fall Captivates in Netflix's Upcoming Drama Series, "The Altruists"

Get ready for a gripping tale that mirrors the meteoric rise and dramatic downfall of two Gen Z financial powerhouses - Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison. Set to premiere on Netflix on November 19, "The Altruists" promises an enthralling exploration of ambition, idealism, and the complexities of power. The series offers a tantalizing first glimpse into its world (see photos below), with the logline teasingly describing it as the story of two brilliant young visionaries who sought to revolutionize the global financial system - only to find themselves entangled in accusations of theft and fraud, becoming the generation's Bonnie and Clyde.

At one point, Bankman-Fried ranked 41st on the Forbes 400 list of America's wealthiest individuals. While he was featured on the coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021, his name also found its way onto the publication's 2023 Hall of Shame list, symbolizing a regrettable inclusion. In November 2022, evidence of financial misconduct emerged, leading to FTX's bankruptcy and Bankman-Fried's subsequent arrest in December of the same year.

Ellison, who was the CEO of Alameda Research (an affiliate of FTX), lost her position following the collapse of both companies. Prior to their downfall, Bankman-Fried and Ellison were romantically involved; Ellison later testified against Bankman-Fried in court proceedings. The series comprises eight episodes and stars Julia Garner as Caroline Ellison and Anthony Boyle as Sam Bankman-Fried.

Joining them are Alex Lawther as Sam Trabucco, Karan Soni as Nishad Singh, Naomi Okada as Claire Watanabe, Madison Hu as Constance Wang, Matt Rife as Ryan Salame, and Eugene Young as Gary Wang. A stellar ensemble also includes Hudson Williams, Paul Reiser, Robin Weigert, Maddie Hasson, Marianna Phung, Jennifer Grey, Terry Chen, William Mapother, Jack Greenlees, Elizabeth Adams, Hannah Galway, Donald Heng, David James Lewis, and Jasmine Lukuku.

Graham Moore serves as the series creator, writer, and showrunner alongside Jacqueline Hoyt. Directors include James Ponsoldt, Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Mairzee Almas, Moore, and Silver Tree. Moore, Hoyt, and Barack and Michelle Obama serve as executive producers. Jessie Dicovitsky and Vinnie Malhotra executive produced for Higher Ground Productions, with Scoop Wasserstein for New York Magazine/Vox Media Studios.

Tonia Davis, Ponsoldt, Lauren Morelli, and Garner are also executive producers. "The Altruists" is inspired by the New York Magazine articles written by Kevin T. Dugan and Jen Wieczner. Prepare for a captivating journey into the lives of Bankman-Fried and Ellison this November on Netflix.