Why The Good American Family’s portrayal of Natalia Grace raises important questions about true crime dramas

The Hulu drama Good American Family revisits the controversial case of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan whose adoption by the Barnett family sparked years of public debate.

Inspired by real events, Good American Family dramatises the Barnetts’ claims that Natalia was an adult posing as a child, leading to legal actions and widespread media coverage. While the show attempts to present multiple viewpoints, many critics argue it reopens ethical questions about how true crime stories are adapted for entertainment.

The series closely mirrors events detailed in earlier documentaries but takes creative liberties that risk distorting the narrative. The series struggles to balance sensational storytelling with sensitivity toward the individuals involved.

The portrayal of Natalia Grace, especially through casting and dramatisation, raises concerns about exploiting vulnerable subjects under the guise of offering diverse perspectives.

The Controversy Behind Good American Family and Its Portrayal of Natalia Grace

Hulu’s Good American Family has drawn significant attention for its dramatised portrayal of the complex case surrounding Natalia Grace. The eight-episode series, inspired by real events, examines how Kristine and Michael Barnett, an Indiana couple, adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian child with dwarfism, only to later claim she was an adult posing as a minor.

Although the creators and cast insisted that the series aimed to explore perspectives on trauma and identity, the execution has fueled ongoing debates about exploitation within true crime adaptations.

Initially, the series focuses on the Barnetts' suspicions that Natalia was older than stated on her birth certificate. The series portrays incidents where Natalia allegedly exhibited violent behaviour, including threats against the Barnetts' biological children and attempts to poison Kristine, details that echo earlier narratives discussed in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace docuseries.

However, as the show progresses, it shifts to Natalia's viewpoint, highlighting allegations of abuse, abandonment, and her struggles living alone after the Barnetts legally changed her age and left her in an apartment.

Ethical concerns over representation

Good American Family attempts to present multiple perspectives but risks sensationalising a sensitive real-life situation. Casting a 27-year-old actress to depict a child further complicated audience perception, blurring the lines between dramatisation and reality.

Critics argue that instead of offering deeper insights, the show largely amplifies the same conflicting narratives that had already been circulated in tabloid media and previous documentaries.

The series recreates controversial moments, such as the Barnetts' claim that Natalia exhibited adult characteristics, while contrasting them with Natalia’s account of being coached to lie about her age.

The inconsistency between perspectives, as pointed out by multiple sources, reflects larger concerns about whether shows like Good American Family truly offer justice to victims or simply extend their public scrutiny for entertainment.

Broader implications for true crime dramas

The release of Good American Family reignited conversations about the ethics of turning unresolved or traumatic real-life cases into serialised entertainment. Although Ellen Pompeo, who plays Kristine Barnett, defended the show by stating to Radio Times on April 2, 2025,

"We really were mindful of being exploitative and we all asked the question before we did it, including Katie [Robbins], the creator, 'Why are we telling this story? Do we have a good enough reason?”

The broader reaction suggests that intent alone may not absolve the final product from criticisms of exploitation. Ultimately, the controversy surrounding the series illustrates the ongoing tension between storytelling, representation, and the responsible treatment of real individuals whose lives remain deeply impacted by public narratives.

Good American Family streams exclusively on Hulu.