Good American Family: What we know about Natalia Grace’s story and how to watch the new series

The story of Natalia Grace has captured public attention once again, thanks to the release of Good American Family, a new limited series now streaming on Hulu. The show, which premiered its first two episodes on March 19, 2025, dives into the complex and controversial case of Natalia, a young girl from Ukraine whose adoption led to a storm of legal battles and shocking accusations.
Good American Family stars Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, and Imogen Faith Reid. The series focuses on the life of Natalia Grace, who was diagnosed with a rare condition called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. This genetic disorder affects bone growth and development, causing her to appear younger than her actual age. The show explores how her story unfolded after she was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett.
The Barnetts initially adopted Natalia, believing she was a six-year-old orphan. But soon after, they claimed she was much older than her records suggested. They pointed to things like her adult teeth and signs of puberty, such as pubic hair, as evidence that she was not a child. Based on their suspicions, they went to an Indiana court and had Natalia’s birth year changed from 2003 to 1989. This legal change meant she was officially treated as an adult.
The situation became even more complicated after Natalia left the Barnetts’ home. She later lived with another family, but their relationship also ended over disagreements about her independence. In a documentary called The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, some people claimed Natalia had been abused in the Man's household, although Natalia has not confirmed those claims.
In an interview in 2024, Natalia spoke out about her experience, saying that the Barnetts pressured her to lie about her age and her past. A DNA test conducted in January 2024 suggested that she was likely a child at the time of her adoption. However, according to a report from Business Insider, DNA tests can provide clues about a person’s genetics but can’t accurately pinpoint someone’s exact age.
Kristine and Michael Barnett divorced in 2014. Kristine has since written a book about raising their son, who has autism. Meanwhile, Natalia’s story continues to spark debate and discussion.
For those interested in watching Good American Family, the series is available on Hulu. The first two episodes were released on March 19, and the remaining six episodes will be released weekly every Wednesday.
This dramatized retelling of Natalia Grace’s life raises important questions about adoption, medical diagnoses, and the legal system. As more details come to light, viewers are left to form their own opinions about what happened in this unusual and emotional case.