Netflix releases trailer for eight-episode FTX series on Bankman-Fried and Ellison
In brief
- Netflix released a trailer for an eight-episode series on the lead-up to FTX's collapse.
- Anthony Boyle plays Sam Bankman-Fried; Julia Garner plays Caroline Ellison.
- Netflix said in a Thursday post on X that the series releases Nov. 19.
- Bankman-Fried remains in federal prison; Ellison was released from federal custody in January, per Cointelegraph.
What the trailer shows
Cointelegraph's reading is that the footage seemed to focus on the idea that going all-in every time is the mathematically optimal strategy. That's the outlet's interpretation, not something Netflix said.
One scripted line stands out.
“Lying isn’t bad for a good cause,” said Garner as Ellison in the trailer.
It isn't a random line. According to Cointelegraph, it echoes Ellison's testimony at Bankman-Fried's 2023 criminal trial, where she said he believed rules against lying and stealing didn't necessarily apply to effective altruism. Effective altruism is a philosophy built around doing the most good possible, and that includes "earning to give" (piling up wealth so you can donate it to charitable causes).
From indictment to verdict
Bankman-Fried, Ellison and others tied to FTX and Alameda were indicted in December 2022 after the exchange collapsed and went bankrupt. Their paths split from there. Ellison took a plea deal and testified against Bankman-Fried, while he chose to go to trial. He was found guilty on seven felony counts related to fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Where they are now
Bankman-Fried remains in federal prison following his 2023 conviction. As of October, he had pending motions requesting a presidential pardon from Donald Trump and asking the US Supreme Court to overturn his conviction, Cointelegraph reported. A related Cointelegraph headline reported that the US Senate unanimously adopted a resolution opposing clemency for him.
Ellison's situation is different. She was released from federal custody in January, according to the outlet.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Netflix FTX series come out?
Netflix said in a Thursday post on X that the eight-episode series will be released on Nov. 19, according to Cointelegraph. It stars Anthony Boyle as Sam Bankman-Fried and Julia Garner as Caroline Ellison.
Where are Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison now?
Bankman-Fried remains in federal prison after being convicted on seven fraud-related felony counts and sentenced to 25 years. Cointelegraph reported that as of October he had pending motions seeking a pardon from Donald Trump and asking the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction. Ellison, who took a plea deal, was released from federal custody in January, according to Cointelegraph.
