Ellen Pompeo has become synonymous with Grey’s Anatomy and her character the titular Dr Meredith Grey.
However, the actress is set to take on her first role since Grey’s Anatomy in a new series: Good American Family.
Based on a true story, the crime drama revolves around Kristine and Michael Barnett — a married couple who adopt Natalia, a little girl with dwarfism.
But as Kristine and Michael begin raising Natalia alongside their three biological children, they start to suspect she’s actually an adult and their lives are in danger…
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Good American Family.
When is Good American Family’s release date?
The new series will premiere in Australia on March 19, 2025.
Where can I watch Good American Family in Australia?
Australians will be able to watch Good American Family on Disney+.
Try Disney+ now from $15.99/month. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Who stars in Good American Family?
As aforementioned, Ellen Pompeo stars in the series. She plays Kristine Barnett.
Ellen recently told Vanity Fair why she was so keen to star in Good American Family and take on this character.
“It was important for me as an actor to do something that I was afraid to do. It was important for me as an actor to play someone who is not necessarily the most likeable person,” she said.
“I have not done anything new in 20 years, I have to go all in, there’s no half-assing it. I have a lot to prove here,” she continued.
“There’s a tremendous amount of pressure on me. Why would anybody believe that I could do anything other than play Meredith Grey, myself included?”
Also in the Good American Family cast are Mark Duplass, Imogen Faith Reid, Dulé Hill, Sarayu Blue, and Christina Hendricks.
Is Good American Family a true story?
Yes, Good American Family is based on the 2023 documentary series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
The docuseries tells the true story of Natalia Grace Barnett, a Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism known as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia.
She was initially adopted in 2010 by American couple Kristine and Michael Barnette, and it was believed that Natalia was six years old at that time.
However, the Barnetts later claimed she was actually an adult masquerading as a child, and alleged she exhibited violent and disturbing behaviour.
They accused her of trying to poison Kristine, pushing Kristine towards an electric fence, and standing over them both at night with ‘sinister intent.’
“[Natalia] threatened to stab my sons, drag their bodies outside and bury them underneath the deck,” Michael says in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.
“I promise you within five years someone is dead.”
Ultimately, the Barnetts successfully petitioned a court to legally change Natalia’s age to 22 in 2012.
They then moved to Canada, leaving Natalia alone in an apartment.
This led to criminal charges against the Barnetts for neglect. However, Michael was later acquitted, and charges against Kristine were dropped.
Is there a second and third season of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace?
Following the widespread interest in the docuseries, in 2024, a second season was released: The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.
In the second season, Natalia vehemently denies being an adult at the time of her adoption. And furthermore, she refutes claims that she posed a danger to the Barnetts.
She instead details her experiences of abandonment, mistreatment, and the emotional toll of being portrayed as a con artist.
Natalia also shares how, in 2013, she moved in with Cynthia and Antwon Mans.
The Mans supported her throughout her legal struggles. They even appeared on Dr. Phil in 2019 to assert that she was underage and did not exhibit the aggressive behaviour the Barnetts alleged.
A third season, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, was released in early 2025.
Season three revisits the various legal proceedings Natalia was involved in. It examines Natalia’s current life and investigates whether justice was served.
The season considers the possibility that the Barnetts fabricated much of their story in order to rid themselves of a child they no longer wanted.
It also surprisingly claims that Natalia endured both physical and financial abuse while under the Mans’ care…
To this day, there are several uncertainties surrounding Natalia, the Barnetts and the Mans’ story. It is undoubtedly one of the most perplexing adoption cases in modern history.
You can stream all three seasons of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace on Foxtel Now from $35/month, with a 10-day free trial. SUBSCRIBE HERE.
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