Netflix is putting together an impressive group of actors for its upcoming limited series about the FTX cryptocurrency scandal, and the latest addition is someone audiences are talking about a lot right now. Hudson Williams, who became a breakout star from the popular hockey romance Heated Rivalry, has joined the cast of The Altruists. He will be part of the series alongside other new cast members, including Hollywood veteran Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing.
The eight-episode series, which filmed in Vancouver over the summer and fall of 2025, tells the real-life story of Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison. These two young and ambitious figures tried to change the global financial system quickly but ended up at the center of one of the biggest financial fraud cases in recent history.
Hudson Williams Lands Role in Netflix’s FTX Drama The Altruists
Hudson Williams has been cast in a recurring role for The Altruists. He will play Duncan Rheingans‑Yoo, who was the co-founder of Modulo Capital, a crypto trading fund. In real life, Modulo Capital received a $400 million investment from Bankman-Fried’s FTX just before the company collapsed, making this character an important piece of the puzzle in understanding how the whole situation unfolded.
This role is a big shift for Williams, who is best known for playing Shane Hollander, a fictional NHL star, in the hit series Heated Rivalry. That show, based on the novels by Rachel Reid, became a global sensation after it started streaming on HBO Max in the US last November and on Sky in the UK in January. Fans fell in love with the romance between his character and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. Now, Williams is moving from the hockey rink to the high-stakes world of finance and crime.
The 25-year-old Vancouver actor has been having a busy year. He was recently seen on the red carpet at the Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair after-party on March 15, 2026, and he is currently working on another project called Yaga for Crave. Adding a Netflix drama to his schedule shows that his career is moving fast.
Who Else Is Joining The Altruists Cast?
Williams is not the only new face in the series. Netflix announced five other actors who will appear in recurring roles. The full list of new cast members includes:
- Jennifer Grey as Sarah Fisher Ellison. Grey is an icon for her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman in the classic film Dirty Dancing. She also starred in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
- Terry Chen as CZ. Chen is known for his work in Almost Famous and the political series House of Cards.
- Elizabeth Adams as Hannah. Adams has appeared in the series Wayward.
- Hannah Galway as Lucy. Galway is known for her roles in The Institute and Billy the Kid.
- William Mapother as Dr. Lerner. Mapother is famous for playing Ethan Rom on the hit series Lost.
These new additions join a cast that was already packed with talent.
Main Cast and Characters in The Altruists
The leads of The Altruists are played by two actors who are very familiar to audiences. Julia Garner, who won Emmy Awards for her role in Ozark and starred in Inventing Anna, plays Caroline Ellison. Anthony Boyle, known for Masters of the Air and Game of Thrones, plays Sam Bankman-Fried.
The other series regulars announced earlier include:
- Alex Lawther
- Matt Rife
- Madison Hu
- Karan Soni
- Eugene Young
- Naomi Okada
There is also a longer list of other recurring cast members, including Maddie Hasson, Marianna Phung, Paul Reiser, and Robin Weigert.
What Is The Altruists About? The Story of FTX’s Rise and Fall
The Altruists is based on reporting from New York Magazine and tells the story of the FTX exchange collapse. The official logline for the show describes it as:
“The story of Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison, two hyper-smart, ambitious young idealists who tried to remake the global financial system in the blink of an eye – before they were accused of stealing $8 billion and became Gen Z’s own Bonnie & Clyde.”
Sam Bankman-Fried was once called the “Poster Boy of Crypto.” He was sentenced in 2024 to 25 years in prison for his role in the fraud. Caroline Ellison, who was his business partner and also his ex-girlfriend, cooperated with prosecutors and is currently serving a two-year prison sentence.
Co-showrunner Graham Moore shared why this story mattered to him. He told Netflix’s Tudum:
“For nearly three years now, Sam and Caroline’s story has been my daily obsession. I’m so grateful to my friends at Netflix and Higher Ground for loving this story not only as much as I do, but in the same way that I do. And we can’t wait to show all of you why.”
Who Is Making The Altruists?
The creative team behind the camera is just as strong as the cast. Graham Moore (The Imitation Game) and Jacqueline Hoyt (The Underground Railroad) are the co-showrunners and executive producers. James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now, Daisy Jones & The Six) directed the first episode and is also an executive producer.
One of the most interesting things about The Altruists is that it comes from Higher Ground Productions, the company founded by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Higher Ground has produced other Netflix projects like Leave the World Behind, Rustin, and American Symphony. Julia Garner, who plays Caroline Ellison, is also an executive producer on the series.
When Will The Altruists Release on Netflix?
Netflix has not yet announced a specific premiere date for The Altruists. Since filming finished in late 2025, the series is likely in post-production now. Many reports suggest it will arrive on the streaming platform sometime later in 2026. The show will have eight episodes and will be available to Netflix subscribers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and all other regions where the service operates.
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Hudson Williams Balances The Altruists with Heated Rivalry Season 2
For fans of Hudson Williams, there is even more good news. While he will be seen in this serious crime drama, he is also getting ready to go back to the role that made him famous. Heated Rivalry Season 2 is officially happening, and filming is scheduled to start in August 2026.
The second season will follow the events of Rachel Reid’s book The Long Game. When asked on the red carpet at the Oscars what fans could expect from the new season, Williams gave a short and funny answer that got people talking. He said, “Sex.” The show is aiming for a release in April 2027.
With The Altruists bringing him into the world of prestige drama and Heated Rivalry keeping him connected to a passionate fanbase, Hudson Williams is having a moment. His role as Duncan Rheingans‑Yoo will let him play a real person involved in a major financial crime, which is a big step away from the fictional hockey star fans first fell for. Viewers will have to wait to see how his character fits into the story of greed, ambition, and betrayal when The Altruists finally debuts on Netflix.
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