“The Altruists” actor Julia Garner on surprising herself

November 8, 2026 / 9:45 AM EST / CBS News

Julia Garner has become known for her remarkable transformations. In the new Netflix series "The Altruists," she plays Caroline Ellison, the business partner and girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, his accomplice in a multi-billion dollar fraud that led to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

Her performance as Ellison has many mannerisms. Asked how she puts them together, Garner replied, "I notice everything. I do! I might look like I'm a little [whistling and gesturing like birds are fluttering overhead], but I'm not!

"You know, you can tell a lot with somebody's eyes," she said. "I look at photos, I obsess over photos. This sounds so crazy, but I'll cover half of their face and I'll just focus on their eyes. And I'm like, I want those eyes for that person that I am about to become."

Asked if she chooses characters based on complexity, she laughed, "Yes, but I feel like they also choose me!"

To watch a trailer for "The Altruists," click on the video player below:

Garner grew up in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, taking arts and crafts classes at the Wave Hill Cultural Center…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/