From Orphan to Good American Family: The Chilling True Story Behind Hulu’s New Miniseries
In 2009, Orphan shocked audiences with its twisted tale of a family adopting Esther, a 9-year-old Russian girl who turned out to be a 33-year-old woman with dwarfism. Now, Hulu is diving into a similarly unsettling true story with its upcoming miniseries, Good American Family.
Set to premiere on March 19, 2025, the show explores the mysterious case of a Midwestern couple who adopts a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism. As they raise her alongside their biological children, questions arise about her age and background, leading to a harrowing showdown that spills into the tabloids and courtroom.
The Cast and Creative Vision
Starring Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) and Mark Duplass (The Morning Show) as Kristine and Michael Barnett, the series promises a gripping narrative told through multiple perspectives. Imogen Faith Reid takes on the role of Natalia Grace, with supporting performances by Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Jenny O’Hara.
The Real-Life Inspiration
Good American Family is based on the controversial story of the Barnett family, who adopted Natalia Grace in 2010. Natalia, who has spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a form of dwarfism, was accused by the Barnetts of being an adult masquerading as a child. In a shocking legal move, they successfully changed her birth year from 2003 to 1989, making her 22 years old on paper.
The Barnetts later left Natalia alone in an Indiana apartment and moved to Canada, leading to criminal charges for neglect. While their charges were eventually dropped, the case sparked widespread debate and inspired the ID docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
Where Is Natalia Grace Now?
Today, Natalia lives in upstate New York with Nicole and Vince DePaul, who took her in after her ordeal. Diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), Natalia continues to rebuild her life. As Nicole DePaul told PEOPLE, “When you take in a child, you take that child as your own. You don’t just get rid of them when they don’t fit into your puzzle.”
Good American Family premieres March 19, 2025, on Hulu, with new episodes dropping weekly
