True crime fans you are not ready for this one. Hulu just dropped a limited series called Good American Family and it is based on a real story that is so wild you might think it is made up. We are talking about Natalia Grace and the Barnett family. Buckle up because this is a rollercoaster.
From Adoption to Allegations: The Real-Life Drama of Natalia Grace and the Barnetts Unfolds
So the series Good American Family starring Ellen Pompeo is inspired by the seriously intense true story of Natalia Grace. Natalia is a Ukrainian-born girl with dwarfism. In 2010 Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted her thinking she was a sweet six-year-old. Kristine Barnett was kind of a big deal back then known for writing books about raising her son Jacob who was a child prodigy with autism. They thought adopting Natalia would be another way to expand their family and do good.
But things took a dark turn pretty quickly. By 2012 the Barnetts started saying Natalia was actually an adult pretending to be a child. They even went to court and got her age legally changed! They claimed Natalia was dangerous and terrorizing their family. It's a he-said she-said situation with seriously unsettling accusations from both sides.
The Hulu series really dives into why people started doubting Natalia's age and identity and shows the whole messy situation from different perspectives. It is not just a simple crime story it is a complex family drama with thriller elements. Ellen Pompeo plays Kristine Barnett Mark Duplass plays Michael and Imogen Faith Reid plays Natalia. You might recognize Ellen Pompeo from Grey's Anatomy this is her big new role after leaving that show.
Poisoned Coffee Knives and Accusations: Key Moments in 'Good American Family' and Their Real-Life Counterparts
Good American Family does not shy away from the disturbing allegations that flew around in this case. The show recreates some of the Barnetts' claims about Natalia including accusations that she hid knives and tried to harm their family. One scene shows Kristine suspecting Natalia tried to poison her coffee with cleaning fluid.
In real life the Barnetts claimed Natalia exhibited disturbing behavior not long after joining their family. They said she had pubic hair and seemed older than six. They accused her of violence threats and even trying to harm their other children. Natalia on the other hand says the Barnetts were impatient and abusive towards her because of her disabilities and the chronic pain she lived with. She claims they pepper-sprayed her and hit her with a belt. Both sides paint very different pictures of what happened.
The show also touches on the strange legal move the Barnetts made. In 2012 they did get Natalia's age legally changed from 8 to 22. After that they moved her into an apartment alone and then moved to Canada without her. This led to neglect charges against both Kristine and Michael. Michael was eventually acquitted and charges against Kristine were dropped. The series explores all of this messy legal and personal drama.
Multiple Perspectives and No Easy Answers: 'Good American Family' Refuses to Pick Sides
If you are hoping for clear heroes and villains in Good American Family you are not going to get it. The show deliberately tells the story from multiple viewpoints flashing back and forth in time. Creator Katie Robbins said they wanted to make something "propulsive and compulsively watchable" but also "emotionally authentic to the people involved."
Natalia's Side and Forgiveness: Exploring the Docuseries "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace"
To really get the full picture you might want to also check out the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace. Natalia and Michael Barnett both share their sides of the story in this docuseries. Natalia denies the Barnetts' accusations of violence and deception. She says she was the one abused. The docuseries even includes a DNA test that suggests Natalia was around 22 years old which would mean she was about 7 when the Barnetts adopted her challenging their claims she was an adult from the start.
In the second season of the docuseries Natalia actually confronts Michael Barnett. He apologizes to her saying he "beat himself up for not being stronger" and Natalia says she forgives him because he apologized on the show. Good American Family includes a fictionalized version of this conversation in its finale episode.
Where Are They Now? Kristine Barnett's Life After the Natalia Grace Case
The case continues to fascinate people. Kristine Barnett has remained a controversial figure. She was never convicted of neglect but public opinion is definitely divided. Kristine has denied all abuse allegations and claims Natalia was a "sociopath" who manipulated everyone. She wrote a new memoir called Witch Hunt: The Kristine Barnett Story and describes herself online as an "Author Loving Mother Advocate for Children With Disabilities Writer & Activist." She maintains she is innocent and that she and Michael were the ones victimized. Michael and Kristine Barnett are now divorced.
Release Schedule and How to Watch 'Good American Family'
Want to watch Good American Family and dive into this crazy story yourself? Here is the release schedule :
- Episodes 1 & 2: Streaming Now on Hulu
- New Episodes: Wednesdays at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT on Hulu
- Total Episodes: 8
- Series Finale: April 30 2025
Good American Family is exclusively on Hulu. You can subscribe to Hulu directly or get it as part of the Disney+ Bundle. Hulu sometimes offers free trials for new subscribers so check their website to see if you can watch for free for a bit!
Dive into the Mystery: 'Good American Family' Asks Big Questions About Family and Truth
Good American Family is not just your typical true crime show. It is a complex and unsettling story about family identity and how different people can see the same events in totally opposite ways. It will definitely leave you with questions and maybe even challenge your own assumptions. Are you Team Barnett or Team Natalia? Or is the truth way more complicated? You will have to watch and decide for yourself!