The Altruists on Netflix arrives on Thursday, November 19, 2026, with all eight episodes at once. The limited series dramatizes the rise and collapse of the crypto exchange FTX, with Anthony Boyle as Sam Bankman-Fried and Julia Garner as Caroline Ellison. Here is the release date, the full cast and the real story behind it.
The Altruists at a glance
| Release date | Thursday, November 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Where to watch | Netflix |
| Episodes | 8 (limited series, all released at once) |
| Showrunners | Graham Moore and Jacqueline Hoyt |
| Director (episode 1) | James Ponsoldt |
| Producers | Higher Ground (Barack and Michelle Obama’s company), New York Magazine / Vox Media Studios |
| Based on | New York Magazine reporting on FTX |
What is The Altruists about?
Netflix describes the series as a toxic love story inspired by a real fraud. It follows FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, who ran its sister trading firm, Alameda Research. The drama follows their relationship alongside the crypto exchange’s rise and collapse.
The title points to effective altruism, the “earn as much as you can, then give it away” philosophy Bankman-Fried publicly championed before FTX fell.
The Altruists cast
| Actor | Plays |
|---|---|
| Anthony Boyle | Sam Bankman-Fried |
| Julia Garner | Caroline Ellison |
| Alex Lawther | Sam Trabucco |
| Matt Rife | Ryan Salame |
| Karan Soni | Nishad Singh |
| Eugene Young | Gary Wang |
| Madison Hu | Constance Wang |
| Naomi Okada | Claire Watanabe |
| Paul Reiser | Joe Bankman (Sam’s father) |
| Robin Weigert | Barbara Fried (Sam’s mother) |
| Jennifer Grey | Sara Fisher Ellison (Caroline’s mother) |
| Hudson Williams | Duncan Rheingans-Yoo |
| Terry Chen | CZ |
Cast details worth knowing
- Julia Garner (Ozark, Inventing Anna) is also an executive producer on the series.
- Graham Moore, one of the showrunners, won the Oscar for writing The Imitation Game.
- Comedian Matt Rife plays Ryan Salame, a former FTX executive.
The true story behind The Altruists
- November 2022: FTX collapsed within days after customers rushed to withdraw their money, and the company filed for bankruptcy.
- November 2023: a New York jury found Sam Bankman-Fried guilty of fraud and conspiracy.
- Caroline Ellison, who ran the sister firm Alameda Research, pleaded guilty and testified against him.
- March 2024: Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Ellison later received a two-year sentence.
Is The Altruists worth watching?
Reviews are not out yet. Our take: based on the premise and the team, it looks like Netflix’s answer to The Social Network for the crypto era, with a cast built around Julia Garner. If you liked Inventing Anna or The Dropout, put it on your list. We will add the reviews after launch.
FAQ
When does The Altruists come out on Netflix?
Thursday, November 19, 2026, with all eight episodes.
Who plays Sam Bankman-Fried in The Altruists?
Anthony Boyle plays Sam Bankman-Fried, and Julia Garner plays Caroline Ellison.
Is The Altruists a true story?
Yes. It is a dramatized series inspired by the real collapse of FTX and New York Magazine’s reporting on it.
How many episodes are in The Altruists?
Eight. It is a limited series.
More to watch: what’s new on Netflix this week and 12 12 12 on Apple TV.
