I’m beyond excited to share this news—Julia Garner, one of my favorite actresses, is in talks to star in a new Netflix limited series about the dramatic rise and fall of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX! According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety (both May 3, 2025), Garner is eyeing the role of Caroline Ellison, the business associate and girlfriend of FTX’s disgraced co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Even better? She’s also set to executive produce the project, which is coming from Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions. This series sounds like a wild ride, and I can’t wait to see Garner tackle it—let’s break down what we know so far!
A Scandal That Shook the Crypto World
If you haven’t followed the FTX saga, here’s the quick version: FTX was a massive cryptocurrency exchange founded by Sam Bankman-Fried in 2019, once hailed as a game-changer in the financial world. But in late 2022, it all came crashing down after a run on customer withdrawals exposed an $8 billion hole in its books, leading to a spectacular collapse. Bankman-Fried and Ellison, who ran the related hedge fund Alameda Research, were at the center of the storm, later convicted of fraud after allegedly stealing billions. The Netflix series, still untitled, is being described as a “wild romance” that dives into their relationship—a mix of ambition, love, and betrayal that Variety says involves “seducing, coaxing, and teasing one another into stealing billions.” I mean, Gen Z’s Bonnie and Clyde? Sign me up!
Garner, who’s 31 now, would play Ellison, a hyper-smart idealist who tried to remake global finance alongside Bankman-Fried before it all went south. Ellison’s story is fascinating—she testified against Bankman-Fried in his trial and was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the fraud. Garner’s no stranger to playing complex women caught up in crime; she won three Emmys for her role as Ruth Langmore in Ozark and got a nomination for playing fraudster Anna Delvey in Inventing Anna. I can already picture her bringing that same intensity and depth to Ellison!
A Dream Team Behind the Scenes
This project isn’t just about the cast—it’s got a powerhouse team behind it. Higher Ground, the Obamas’ production company, is producing, which gives it a big stamp of credibility. The series is written by Graham Moore, an Oscar winner for The Imitation Game, who’s also co-showrunning with Jacqueline Hoyt (The Leftovers). James Ponsoldt (Shrinking) is set to direct, and the team is planning an eight-episode run, with shooting expected to start this summer (Variety, May 3, 2025). I love that they’re basing the story on New York Magazine reporting—it sounds like they’re aiming for a mix of gritty realism and dramatic flair.
What’s really intriguing is how the series will balance the romance with the crime. Bankman-Fried and Ellison’s relationship was messy, to say the least—two ambitious young people trying to change the world, only to end up in a spiral of deception. I’m curious to see how the show portrays their dynamic. Will it romanticize their story, or show the ugly side of their betrayal? Either way, with Garner involved, I know we’re in for a nuanced performance.
Why Garner Is Perfect for This
I’ve been a huge fan of Julia Garner since her Ozark days—she’s got this raw energy that makes every character she plays feel so real. Her role as Ruth Langmore was a masterclass in playing someone caught between loyalty and survival, and in Inventing Anna, she totally transformed into Anna Delvey, accent and all. Now, playing Caroline Ellison, she’s stepping into another real-life story of fraud, but this time with a romantic twist. Garner’s also executive producing, which makes me think she’s really invested in getting this story right.
She’s got a busy year ahead, too. Garner’s set to play Shalla-Bal, a version of the Silver Surfer, in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, hitting theaters on July 25, 2025. She’s also starring in Zach Cregger’s horror flick Weapons this summer. It’s amazing to see her take on such different roles—from a cosmic superhero to a horror lead to a crypto scandal figure. I think her versatility is what makes her so perfect for Ellison, who’s both a brilliant mind and a deeply flawed person.
The Bigger Picture
This FTX series isn’t the only project tackling the scandal—Hollywood’s been all over this story since it broke. Lena Dunham is working on a feature film for Apple and A24, while Prime Video has a limited series in the works from Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO (The Hollywood Reporter, May 3, 2025). There are even documentaries coming, like one from Mark Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas and Fortune magazine. It makes sense—the FTX collapse was a cultural moment, exposing the wild risks of crypto and the larger-than-life figures behind it.
I do wonder, though, if all these projects might oversaturate the market. Will audiences get tired of the FTX story by the time this series drops, likely in 2026? I don’t think so—Garner’s star power and the Obama-backed production give this one an edge. Plus, the focus on the love story sets it apart from the more straightforward crime angles of other adaptations.
Why I’m Hyped
I’m so here for this series! The FTX scandal was such a chaotic moment, and seeing it through the lens of Bankman-Fried and Ellison’s relationship sounds like the perfect mix of drama and thriller. Julia Garner is a phenomenal choice—she’s got the range to pull off both the romance and the moral complexity of someone like Ellison. And with a team like Graham Moore, Higher Ground, and James Ponsoldt behind it, I’m expecting something smart, gripping, and maybe even a little heartbreaking.
What do you think—will Garner nail this role? Are you as excited as I am for this FTX series? Let’s chat about it!
