GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY on Hulu is a series about the true crime case of Natalia Grace. A surprisingly somber dramatization. Not least considering how dramatic the documentary was. Read our Good American Family series review here!
GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY is a new Hulu series about Natalia Grace. The adopted girl accused of actually being an adult woman. That’s the short version of the drama that unfolds, anyway. The series has eight episodes and is told from multiple points-of-view.
I wasn’t sure what to expect but had hopes for something honest and not overly dramatic. And that in itself is no small ask given how extremely dramatic certain people (Michael) were in the true-crime documentary. Fortunately, it has a surprisingly somber fictional approach.
Continue reading our Good American Family series review below. Find the two first episodes on Hulu on March 19, 2025.
Get a new take on the Natalia Grace case
With Good American Family, we’re getting a fictionalized version of the true-crime case featured in multiple docu-series. It’s all about Natalia Grace who was adopted as a 7-year-old girl but later accused of actually being an adult woman.
Not unlike the movie Orphan – and yes, that movie does come up in this series just as it did in the documentary – and this real-life drama isn’t any less crazy in this Hulu series. Fortunately, it isn’t more insane either.
Natalia Grace’s point of view from Episode 5
The case of Natalia Grace in Good American Family is told from multiple points of view. Each episode opens with a quick description of the case and reveals whose version of events is depicted in the current episode.
This approach is also necessary to reflect the contrasting narratives of the central characters. To say they differ is a wild understatement.
The adopting family – with Kristine Barnett leading the charge – is accusing Natalia Grace of being an adult woman posing as a child and even trying to kill them. Natalia Grace on the other hand states that she was neglected and even left to live alone before the age of 10.
Of course, the Barnett Family is quick to state that any talk of child abuse or neglect is impossible when Natalia Grace is an adult. It’s a they said/she said, but with the added twist that “they” also end up going against one another as Kristine and Michael divorce.
The first four episodes are told from the views of Kristine and Michael Barnett. From episode 5 we get Natalia Grace’s point of view.
Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia Grace
While the casting of all central characters is important, for Good American Family, I think most will recognize that the casting of Natalia Grace was the most challenging. Fortunately, the producers struck gold with Imogen Faith Reid.
Not unlike the casting of the title character in Orphan, which is quite unfortunate for the real-life Natalia Grace, as that movie did nothing good for her.
Imogen Faith Reid is very short, so that part is already in place (the real-life Natalia Grace has a rare form of dwarfism) and with the opposing point of view across episodes, she also needs to portray Natalia Grace in various ways.
MORE ABOUT NATALIA GRACE
Be sure to check out Natalia Speaks which we’ve covered here >
Sometimes, Imogen Faith Reid has to show Natalia Grace as a downright evil and vindictive person. At other times, she must portray her as a child who does what a child would do in a given situation to survive. Be that eating dry noodles or trying to bathe in the sink.
Of course, Kristine and Michael Barnett are the other key characters in the story. Portrayed by Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) and Mark Duplass (The Creep Tapes), we’re in good and accomplished hands.
Ellen Pompeo delivers a strong portrayal of Kristine who isn’t without her “nuances” and issues. Mark Duplass manages to avoid the cliches that the real-life Michael Barnett is practically a personification of. That takes some serious skill, but he toes the line perfectly.
In other key roles, we have Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Jenny O’Hara as recurring guest stars.
Watch Good American Family on Hulu
Katie Robbins is the creator of Good American Family and also serves as executive producer and showrunner alongside Sarah Sutherland. While I was very sad Katie Robbins’ Apple TV+ series Sunny (which she created) wasn’t renewed, she’s bringing her A game on Hulu.
Star Ellen Pompeo also executive produces through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Liz Garbus (City on Fire, Lost Girls) directed and executive produced the pilot – she also directs other episodes – and ensures we’re off to a great start.
Good American Family premieres on Hulu with its first two episodes. After this two-episode premiere, you’ll have to be patient as the remaining six episodes will be released weekly. Whether you know the story or not, it’s still a crazy ride so do check it out on Hulu.
Good American Family debuts on Hulu on March 19, 2025.
Details
Creator: Katie Robbins
Cast: Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, Imogen Faith Reid, Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, Jenny O’Hara
Plot
Told from multiple points of view, as a means to explore issues of perspective, bias, and trauma, this compelling drama is inspired by the disturbing stories surrounding a Midwestern couple who adopts a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believe is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.
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