Hulu’s upcoming drama Good American Family is based on the real-life story of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian-born girl with a rare form of dwarfism known as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita.
Her adoption by an American couple, Kristine and Michael Barnett, led to events that captivated the nation and raised questions about truth, deception, and the complexities of family dynamics.
Natalia Grace’s Early Life and Adoption
Natalia was born in Ukraine on September 4, 2003, and spent her early years in an orphanage. She was first adopted by the Ciccone family in 2008 but was later relinquished due to behavioral issues.
In 2010, she was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett, who already had three sons.
The Barnetts claimed that Natalia was not a child but an adult posing as a minor, alleging she had menstrual periods and pubic hair.
They accused her of being violent and attempting to harm them, leading to a highly publicized court case where they successfully petitioned to change her legal age from 8 to 22 in 2012.
The Controversy and Its Aftermath
Following the court decision, the Barnetts abandoned Natalia, leaving her to fend for herself in an apartment in Indiana.
This decision sparked a long-standing controversy, with many questioning the ethics and legality of their actions. Natalia maintained that she was indeed a child at the time of her adoption.
In recent years, Natalia has been involved with other families, including the Mans, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship. She is preparing for independent living and studying for her GED, reflecting on her journey and her challenges.
DNA Test and Legal Developments
In August 2023, a DNA test by TruDiagnostic confirmed that Natalia was approximately 22 years old, supporting her claim that she was a child when adopted by the Barnetts. This revelation led to her birth year being legally restored to 2003.
Kristine Barnett’s charges of neglect were dismissed in March 2023, while Michael Barnett was acquitted in October 2022.
Good American Family: The Dramatization
The Hulu series Good American Family, starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass as the Barnetts, dramatizes the complex and often disturbing events surrounding Natalia’s adoption.
The show explores themes of deception, family dynamics, and the legal battles that ensued, offering a fictionalized account of the real-life drama.
About Good American Family
Good American Family is an upcoming true crime drama limited series based on the adoption of Natalia Grace (Imogen Faith Reid) by Kristine (Ellen Pompeo) and Michael Barnett (Mark Duplass).
Initially believing Natalia to be a child with dwarfism, the Barnetts slowly begin to question this assumption as the story unfolds. It is set to stream in eight episodes by Hulu beginning on March 19, 2025.
The eight-episode series is set to be released weekly by Hulu, with a two-episode premiere on March 19, 2025.
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