Julia Garner, known for her role in Ozark, reportedly aims to take on the role of Caroline Ellison in Netflix's upcoming FTX series.
Julia Garner, the Emmy-winning actress from Ozark, is reportedly in discussions with Netflix to star as Caroline Ellison, a former high-ranking executive in Sam Bankman-Fried's crumbled crypto empire, in an upcoming limited Netflix series about the downfall of the FTX crypto exchange.
Sources familiar with the matter reveal that this role would reunite Julia with Netflix, where she's also appeared in Inventing Anna, Maniac, and The Get Down. The series will reportedly delve into the story of FTX from the perspective of the relationship between Ellison and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. The as-yet-untitled series is said to provide an intimate look at the infamous cryptocurrency exchange through the lens of the love story between Caroline Ellison and Sam Bankman-Fried. Julia is also expected to serve as an executive producer on the project.
Netflix has allegedly commissioned eight episodes, with filming slated to begin this summer. Graham Moore, who won an Academy Award for The Imitation Game, will serve as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner. Joining him are Jacqueline Hoyt, known for The Leftovers and The Good Wife, who will also serve as executive producer and co-showrunner.
Barack and Michelle Obama, Vinnie Malhotra, Scoop Wasserstein of Scoop Productions, and Lauren Morelli are listed as executive producers under Higher Ground. James Ponsoldt will direct the first episode and executive produce as well.
FTX imploded in November 2022 amid accusations of embezzlement and the misuse of billions of dollars in customer funds, involving its owners and affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research. Sam Bankman-Fried, the exchange's founder, was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to return $11 billion.
Caroline Ellison admitted her guilt to conspiracy and financial fraud charges and was handed a 24-month sentence. But what made her sentence comparatively lighter than expected?
The reasons behind Ellison's lighter sentence can be attributed to several factors. For instance, her cooperation with prosecutors, which apparently led to a more lenient sentencing outcome. Cooperation has been recognized as a common practice that can influence court decisions when determining sentences.
Plea agreements, which often lead to reduced sentences, were another factor. Ellison's cooperation would have been considered valuable in aiding the prosecution, particularly in strengthening their case against other defendants like Bankman-Fried.
The court may have also taken Ellison's lesser role in the scandal into account. In comparison to Bankman-Fried, who was the central figure in the FTX's collapse, her part might have played a role in the court imposing a less harsh sentence on Ellison.
Finally, the court's decision could reflect a broader legal strategy to target key figures in the scandal. By cooperating, Ellison may have been perceived as a beneficial tool in the prosecution's efforts to hold others accountable, meriting a milder sentence in return.
- Julia Garner, known for her Emmy-winning roles in Ozark and other Netflix shows, is reportedly set to star as Caroline Ellison, a former high-ranking executive in Sam Bankman-Fried's dismissed crypto empire, in an upcoming Netflix series about the demise of the FTX crypto exchange.
- The series, yet to be titled, is expected to explore the story of FTX from the perspective of the relationship between Ellison and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, reuniting Julia with Netflix where she's previously appeared.
- Caroline Ellison, who was sentenced to 24 months for conspiracy and financial fraud charges, had a lighter sentence than anticipated, a fact attributed to her cooperation with prosecutors, plea agreements, her lesser role in the scandal, and the court's broader legal strategy.
- Netflix has commissioned eight episodes for the series, slated to begin filming this summer, with Graham Moore as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner, and Jacqueline Hoyt serving as executive producer and co-showrunner.
- Barack and Michelle Obama, Vinnie Malhotra, Scoop Wasserstein of Scoop Productions, and Lauren Morelli are listed as executive producers under Higher Ground, with James Ponsoldt directing the first episode and executive producing as well.
- FTX imploded in November 2022 amid accusations of embezzlement and misuse of billions of dollars in customer funds, with Sam Bankman-Fried, the exchange's founder, being sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to return $11 billion.
- The entertainment industry, including fintech and crime-and-justice sectors, follows the general-news closely, with the downfall of FTX becoming a benchmark case study in the crypto, finance, and celebrity worlds.
- The series, set in the cryptocurrency, finance, and entertainment industries, promises to shed light on the love story between Ellison and Bankman-Fried, while also delving into the infamous cryptocurrency exchange's embezzlement scandal, bringing together a star-studded team of producers and a compelling storyline.
