The Shocking True Story That Ellen Pompeo’s New Show ‘Good American Family’ Is Based On
Ellen Pompeo, best known for her iconic role on “Grey’s Anatomy”, is stepping away from her stethoscope (well, sort of) to star in “Good American Family”, a gripping eight-part Hulu series that’s bound to leave audiences stunned. And the story it’s based on? It’s chilling, and yes, it’s real.
Natalia Grace’s Story
In 2010, the Barnett family adopted a six-year-old Ukrainian girl who they believed had a rare form of dwarfism. But the truth turned out to be far more sinister. Eventually, they claimed she was actually an adult woman posing as a child.
The series centers on the Barnetts—Kristine and Michael (played by Pompeo and Mark Duplass)—and their descent into a nightmarish situation with their adopted daughter. We’re talking allegations of attempted murder, questions about age and identity, and enough shocking twists to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
“Good American Family” Premise
“Good American Family” is based on the 2023 documentary “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”, which uncovered explosive details. It revealed that the Barnetts had legally changed Natalia’s age from eight to 22 before abandoning her in an apartment in Indiana and moving to Canada. During her time with the Barnetts, they accused her of trying to harm Kristine in several disturbing ways, including poisoning her coffee, attempting to push her into an electric fence, and placing thumbtacks on the stairs.
The drama didn’t end there. The documentary created such a stir that a follow-up episode was filmed, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks”, where Natalia refuted the Barnetts’ accusations, claiming they were false.
In 2013, Natalia moved in with the Mans family, who supported her throughout her legal struggles. The Mans family even appeared on “Dr. Phil” in 2019, insisting that Natalia was a minor and that the Barnetts’ claims of violence were untrue. But the plot thickened with a third chapter of the docuseries, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter”, which alleged that Natalia faced abuse while living with the Mans family. Although she didn’t explicitly confirm or deny these claims, she did escape from their home one night, which was featured in the series.
Currently, Natalia is living with a couple named Nicole and Vince DePaul, who both have dwarfism. They’ve helped her start a new chapter in her life, although the Mans family allegedly continues to try and reconnect with her.
“Good American Family” promises to dive deep into the twisted psychological drama that unfolded in the Barnetts’ home, including bone density tests that supposedly revealed Natalia’s true age and the jaw-dropping legal battles that ensued. What’s even more intriguing is that Kristine Barnett, the real-life woman who inspired Pompeo’s role, has given her blessing to the series.
For Pompeo, this role is an exciting challenge. She wanted to step outside her comfort zone and portray someone who isn’t exactly sympathetic. As she told Vanity Fair, “It was important for me as an actor to do something that I was afraid to do… I have a lot to prove here.”
With “Good American Family” set to premiere in March, we’re already eagerly anticipating this mind-bending tale. Because sometimes, reality is stranger than fiction.
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