Ellen Pompeo is set to star in and executive produce a new limited series for Hulu, marking her most significant television role since she first took on the iconic part of Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy in 2005.
The eight-episode drama, initially referred to as the untitled orphan project, now officially carries the title Good American Family.
As first reported in August 2022, the series centers around a Midwestern couple who adopts a child they believe to be an 8-year-old girl with a rare form of dwarfism.
However, their seemingly noble act of adoption quickly takes a dark turn as they begin to question whether their new daughter is truly who she claims to be.
A Family Caught in a Disturbing Mystery
The official synopsis provides a chilling preview of the storyline:
“As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is.
As they question her story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that’s fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.”
Pompeo is also set to executive produce the series through her production company, Calamity Jane, alongside Laura Holstein. ABC Signature Studios will produce the show.
Release Date and Premiere Details
Hulu has confirmed that Good American Family will debut on March 19, 2025, with a two-episode premiere. After that, new episodes will be released weekly on the streaming platform.
The Cast of ‘Good American Family’
Pompeo takes on the role of Kristine, one half of the adoptive couple, while Mark Duplass portrays her husband, Michael. The pivotal role of Natalia, the mysterious adoptee, will be played by Imogen Reid.
The cast also features a strong lineup of recurring guest stars, including:
- Dulé Hill
- Christina Hendricks
- Sarayu Blue
- Jenny O’Hara
Is ‘Good American Family’ Based on a True Story?
While the series is a fictionalized account, it is inspired by real-life events. The story draws from the shocking case of Kristine and Michael Barnett, an Indiana couple who made headlines after adopting a Ukrainian girl named Natalia, whom they believed to be 7 years old with a rare form of dwarfism.
However, the Barnetts later accused Natalia of being a 21-year-old con artist, alleging that she manipulated them and even threatened their lives.
Good American Family (Photo: Youtube)In a shocking legal move, the couple successfully petitioned to have Natalia’s birth year changed from 2003 to 1989 on official documents.
Following the change, the Barnetts moved Natalia into an apartment in a different city before relocating their family to Canada in 2013.
The case took another dramatic turn in 2019 when the Barnetts were charged with neglect of a dependent. Though Natalia’s legal age remains contested—she maintains that the change was inaccurate—her condition still requires specialized care, making her continued dependence on her adoptive parents a key issue in the ongoing case.
Official Logline for ‘Good American Family’
In February 2025, Hulu shared an official description of the show:
“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.”
First Look at ‘Good American Family’
In anticipation of the series, Hulu released the first official photos in February 2025. One of the images features Pompeo’s Kristine embracing Reid’s Natalia, hinting at the complex mother-daughter dynamic at the heart of the story.
Other stills depict Natalia gazing at her own reflection in the mirror and Kristine and Michael engaged in a tense conversation, seemingly connected to the adoption process.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
The series brings together an acclaimed group of television creators, with Mad Men alum Erin Levy serving as showrunner. Katie Robbins (The Affair) is writing and executive producing, with additional executive producers including:
- Ellen Pompeo
- Laura Holstein
- Mike Epps
- Dan Spilo
- Niles Kirchner
- Andrew Stearn
With a gripping premise, a talented cast, and a real-life case that continues to fascinate the public, Good American Family is shaping up to be one of Hulu’s most anticipated releases of 2025.