The first two episodes of the Hulu limited series “Good American Family” were released on Wednesday, March 19. Star Ellen Pompeo as Kristen Barnett and Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia Grace, the show is based on the true story of Kristine and Michael Barnett’s adoption of Natalia Grace, a child with dwarfism, and their subsequent actions after questions arose about Natalia’s age and background. There are currently eight episodes out, and the show releases episodes every Wednesday for the intrigued fans who want to follow along as the story unfolds.
“I think it’s a weird storyline and I think there are two sides to the story which is what makes it interesting,” Carter Birch ‘27 said.
While the series has attracted loads of attention over the weeks it has been out, some question the accuracy and true representation of the true story. It began in 2010 when the Barnetts officially adopted Natalia Grace. At the time of adoption, Grace was thought to be seven years old, but over time, the Barnetts started to suspect Natalia was an adult who posed as a child. These initial doubts about her age sprouted from observations such as the presence of pubic hair and adult teeth. Aside from the physical signs, emotional behaviors raised concerns around Natalia. For example, she exhibited behaviors that struck concern, such as attempts to harm them and their biological children, along with respectful and normal behaviors towards Michael Barnett and harsh and cruel towards Kristine.
“My favorite thing about the show was seeing the differences in how the daughter treats the mom vs the dad,” Rachel Admussu ‘26 said.
These suspicions led them to petition the Indiana court in 2012 to change Natalia’s birth year from 2003 to 1989, to reclassify her as an adult. As a result, they moved her into an apartment on her own and relocated to Canada with their other children. In 2019, the Barnetts faced charges of neglect; Michael was acquitted, and charges against Kristene were dismissed. One of the most debated aspects of both the real-life case and the Hulu series, “Good American Family”, is Natalia’s behavior and whether it stemmed from deceit or trauma. The Barnetts claimed Natalia exhibited manipulative and even dangerous tendencies, which fueled their belief she was much older than her birth certificate stated. However, many experts and commentators have urged a more compassionate, clinical lens to understand her actions.
“It is very likely that Natalia was experiencing Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), which led to the behaviors she was exhibiting towards her adoptive family. The symptoms and behaviors that were described are quite common for those with RAD,” school psychologist Megan Heyborne said.
This interpretation fits with the narrative shift in the series, which presents Natalia not as a menace but as a vulnerable person shaped by early trauma. RAD often appears in children who face neglect or abuse, and it may explain many of the actions that once caused confusion or fear. As the show unfolds, whether Natalia was lying about her age or just a kid who needed help is still unclear, it shows how complicated things can get with adoption and mental health, and how fast people can judge without knowing the full story. With new episodes every week, fans are hooked—and it’s a show that keeps everyone hooked.
