Julia Garner Transforms into Crypto Fraudster for Netflix's The Altruists!
SHOCKING MAKEOVER: Julia Garner Transforms into Cryptocurrency Convict Caroline Ellison
Actress Julia Garner, known for her roles in Ozark and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, has left fans stunned with a dramatic transformation on set of her new Netflix series, The Altruists. In a bid to get into character as convicted cryptocurrency fraudster Caroline Ellison, the 31-year-old starlet shed her signature curly locks for a sleek, long wavy brunette look that left onlookers speechless.
Garner's stunning makeover was a far cry from her usual polished appearance, as she channeled Ellison's ultra-casual style with a tan-and-green pullover atop a simple white shirt. Her costume included black Asics trainers and modest makeup, but it was the thick black plastic-frame glasses that truly transformed her into the infamous cryptocurrency executive.
But what really caught our attention was Garner's on-screen chemistry with co-star Anthony Boyle, who plays Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX founder and convicted felon. The Irish actor sported a messy dark curldo, wore a pale-gray sweatshirt over a burgundy T-shirt, and completed his look with rumpled khakis and white athletic shoes.
The Altruists is set to be a riveting drama that details the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX and its intimate relationship between Bankman-Fried and Ellison. The series boasts an all-star cast, including Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground as executive producers.
But what makes this story even juicier is the real-life scandal surrounding FTX and its founder. In 2019, Bankman-Fried co-founded FTX with Gary Wang, but just three years later, the exchange went bankrupt. Ellison, who served as CEO of Alameda Research, testified that she had worked with Bankman-Fried to siphon customer funds into Alameda, which were used to pay off loans.
The fallout was catastrophic: rival cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced it was selling all of FTX's crypto coins, leaving investors scrambling to withdraw their funds. But what's even more shocking is the alleged lavish lifestyle that Bankman-Fried funded with customers' money, using it to gain influence with high-profile industry figures and politicians.
Ellison managed to secure a plea deal in exchange for testifying against Bankman-Fried, but her sentence was relatively light: two years in prison, plus an $11 billion fine. However, Bankman-Fried's conviction was not so lenient – he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay over $11 billion in fines.
Garner's turn as Ellison on screen comes hot on the heels of her success in the horror hit Weapons, which earned a staggering 87% fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics. The film tells the story of a third-grade teacher who arrives at school one day to find that only one of her students has showed up for class – but where did the other 17 children go?
The film's impressive cast includes Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Marvel star Benedict Wong, among others. But what's even more astonishing is Garner's back-to-back blockbuster success: she also starred as the Silver Surfer in Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot.
We can't wait to see how Garner brings Ellison's shocking story to life on screen – but one thing's for sure: this actress has already proven herself a master of transformation, and we're eagerly anticipating her next dramatic makeover!
