Hulu’s New Series Explores Chilling Adoption Mystery

LOS ANGELES, California — Hulu has released the first two episodes of its new family drama, “Good American Family,” inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism. The series premiered on March 19 and will debut new episodes weekly until it concludes.

The narrative follows a Midwestern couple, Kristine and Michael Barnett, who adopted Natalia Grace, leading to a controversial legal battle over her age and identity. The series unfolds as they raise her alongside their three biological children, only to question her authenticity and intentions.

In the context of the adoption, the show highlights how the Barnetts eventually accused Natalia of being an adult pretending to be a child. This premise has sparked widespread intrigue and discussion. Natalia has consistently denied these claims and shared her perspective in her documentary, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks,” which aired on ID last year.

According to Hulu, “Good American Family” explores complex themes of perspective, bias, and trauma. The show’s synopsis states, “As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, leading them to suspect she may not be who she claims to be. While they defend their family from what they believe is a threat, she battles her history and future, culminating in a dramatic court showdown that captivates the media.”

The first two episodes, titled “Almost Like a Prayer” and “Jump the Jitters Out,” are now available for streaming on Hulu, with a total of eight episodes planned for the series.

The cast features Ellen Pompeo as Kristine Barnett, with Mark Duplass portraying Michael Barnett. Imogen Faith Reid takes on the role of Natalia Grace, joined by a supporting cast that includes Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Jenny O’Hara.

Pompeo discussed her new role on “Good Morning America” on March 17, emphasizing the emotional depth of the story. “It was so different from what I’ve been doing for so long,” she said. “It’s the story of a family who had dealt with a lot, and they believed that adopting a daughter would help fix things.” She reflected on the risks of expecting adoption to resolve underlying issues: “Sometimes when we have expectations that something will fix everything, things don’t go our way.”

The series’s provocative subject matter and character-driven storytelling are expected to resonate with audiences and provoke dialogue about the intricacies of adoption and the challenges faced by families.