• The season finale of Hulu's scripted miniseries "Good American Family" aired on Wednesday.
• The ripped-from-the-headlines drama was inspired by Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism.
• Series creator Katie Robbins said there are no plans for a second season, but "never say never."

Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Good American Family."

Hulu's scripted miniseries "Good American Family," which recounts the true story of Natalia Grace's disastrous adoption from multiple perspectives, aired its first season finale on Wednesday.

The dramatic episode, titled "Blood on Her Hands," follows Natalia (Imogen Faith Reid) as a legal case is mounted against her adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, played by Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass.

In real life, the Barnetts were arrested and charged with neglect after leaving Natalia in Indiana and moving to Canada. They had adopted her in 2010, believing her to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan, but later claimed Natalia was an adult con artist pretending to be a child. (Natalia has denied all their accusations.)

The Barnetts petitioned a court to re-age Natalia, successfully changing her legal birth year from 2003 to 1989. However, the Barnetts remained her legal guardians as a result of Natalia's disability.

Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, was eventually adopted by another set of parents, Cynthia and Antwon Mans, played by Christina Hendricks and Jerod Haynes.

In the TV show, as in real life, the Barnetts don't go to jail; the case against Michael falls apart when the judge rules against any mention of Natalia's age in court. The charges against Kristine were later dismissed.

Despite the harsh legal verdict, causing Natalia to fear the world would see her as a "monster," the finale gestures toward a happier future for Natalia with the Mans family — but that's not where Natalia's real story ended.

People interviewed in season three of ID's docuseries, "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace," said they witnessed abuse in the Mans household. Natalia also confirmed she'd left the family, and as of January 2025, she said she was living with another family, the DePauls, in New York. Cynthia and Antwon Mans did not respond to BI's request for comment on the abuse allegations.

Will "Good American Family" return for a second season to keep following the twists and turns of Natalia's story? Here's what we know.

'Good American Family' creator Katie Robbins said there are no plans for season 2, but 'never say never'

"Good American Family" was originally created as an eight-episode limited series.

As of writing, Hulu has not announced a renewal. The series creator, Katie Robbins, told TV Insider that the showrunners have not planned for a second season.

"This series ends very specifically where it does," Robbins said. "At the end of that trial, when there is empirical, scientific fact [available about] Natalia's age, and having that not change anything in the court of law. Having that be not admissible in the court of law really lands this horrifying idea — in a show that grapples with horror tropes — that is the most kind of horrifying thing at the end of the day, that that doesn't matter. That doesn't change anything."

Although she didn't definitively rule out another season, Robbins explained the "Good American Family" finale was constructed in a way for the show's key themes — the deceptive effects of bias, the dangers of performative charity, the fallibility of the justice system — to land "sharply."

"I think that to do an additional story here, there would need to be a reason, something to say with it," Robbins said. "And never say never, but that would be the thing: 'Why tell it?'"

• Imogen Faith Reid stars as Natalia Grace Barnett in Hulu's new show "Good American Family."
• It's the first acting role for Reid, who was discovered through an international search.
• Reid's costar told BI she was a bright light on set, and the creators instantly knew she was right for the part.

Hulu's latest series dives deep into the twist-filled story of Natalia Grace Barnett.

"Good American Family" is a fictionalized drama about the Ukrainian orphan who was accused by her adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, of being an adult posing as a child. Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass play the Barnetts, whose perspectives take center stage in the early episodes of the season that premiered on March 19.

Pompeo and Duplass are seasoned actors, but a complete newcomer was cast opposite them as the figure at the heart of the series — and she's stealing every scene she's in.

Here's what to know about Imogen Faith Reid, the breakout star who plays Natalia Grace on the new show.

Imogen Faith Reid was the first person cast for 'Good American Family'

"Good American Family" has been in development since 2020, when series creator and co-showrunner Katie Robbins was first approached by Hulu to develop a scripted series about Natalia's story. When the streamer finally ordered the show to series, it was contingent on casting Natalia.

Robbins and her team cast a wide net to find the right Natalia, embarking on an international search. Reid, a UK-based actor who had only done some body-double and stand-in work before, submitted a self-tape. Robbins was impressed by the shades Reid brought to the character and knew instantly that the young actor had something special.

"It was that kind of moment where you see her and you're just like, this person is a star," Robbins told BI.

After a series of callbacks, all over Zoom, Reid landed the role. Finding out she got the part was "surreal," as she'd assumed she wouldn't get the role since it was based in the US.

Reid said Disney, which owns Hulu, hooked her up with an acting coach. She also worked with a dialect coach to learn Natalia's American accent.

Unlike the real Natalia, who was a child during the events of the series, Reid is 27 years old. Robbins recalled that the team had many conversations before they decided to cast an adult, largely because the perspective-shift format of the show required Reid to play multiple (and sometimes very mature) versions of Natalia.

"She's playing a version from Kristine and Michael's perspective in which she appears to be an adult. She's playing a version of herself from Natalia's perspective in which she is a child," Robbins said. "The role demanded such emotional vulnerability and goes to such dark places that the idea of casting a young person in that role felt not right."

Robbins said it was also important for them to cast authentically. Natalia has a form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita. Duplass told Today.com that Reid has a different type of dwarfism and had to work with a movement coach to learn how to move like Natalia.

Reid told Today that she could relate to Natalia as a fellow little person. "I understand the daily struggles that we go through and the judgment that we perceive in everyday life," Reid said.

Reid hasn't spoken to the real Natalia Grace

While some true-crime dramas have input from the real people they're based on, "Good American Family" doesn't. The showrunners and Reid confirmed they weren't able to speak with Natalia Grace. Robbins said they would have loved to speak to her, but it just "wasn't possible."

Reid wasn't familiar with Natalia's story before working on the show, so she dove into research and developed her own version of the character. Despite not speaking to Natalia, she emphasized how important it was to her to fight for justice for the woman she was playing.

"Throughout the show, my passion for Natalia, for my version of Natalia, just grew stronger and stronger," Reid said. "I was so passionate about portraying this character and just wanting the empowerment and the fight for justice and for her story to be seen and heard."

Reid was starstruck working with 'Grey's Anatomy' actor Ellen Pompeo

After she was cast in "Good American Family," Reid posted the news on Instagram and shared how thrilled she was to work with Pompeo. Even now, Reid, a major "Grey's Anatomy" fan, still can't believe she got to work with Meredith Grey herself — and said that it surpassed her expectations.

Pompeo was a critical part of the experience for Reid, who praised her as an invaluable mentor.

"'Grey's Anatomy' was like my comfort show. So to have someone from my comfort show playing my mom was so surreal," Reid told BI. "And Ellen was just such an amazing mentor for me as a person who's just started out. She would remind me that I have a voice, I can speak up."

The 'Good American Family' showrunners and Reid's costars praised the star

Robbins said she was "astounded" by Reid's performance as multiple versions of Natalia when they got to work on set.

"Immy, perhaps most of all, cares so deeply about doing justice to this story and worked so hard and gave so much of herself," she told BI. "There is such vulnerability in this performance."

Duplass also sang Reid's praises, recalling how the younger actor brought a sense of infectious joy to the set. In particular, he said working with her reminded him of when he was new to the craft himself.

"Immy was such a bright light," he told BI. "Ellen and I have been doing this for a long time and we're so grateful for our jobs. But real talk for a second, you get grumpy, you get used to it, and you lose your ability to truly appreciate the space that you're in."

"Then you get to see Immy, who is showing you and reminding you what it was like when I was at the Sundance Film Festival with my first $3 independent film when I was 25 years old. And I remember how grateful I need to be to be here. And every day she brought that to me and it was a real, real gift."

"Thank you. I was just annoying," Reid joked in response.

"Good American Family" airs weekly on Wednesdays on Hulu.

• The "Severance" season two finale aired this week.
• New true crime dramas like "Happy Face" and "Good American Family" also premiered.
• Movies including "Anora" and "Wicked" are streaming too.

TV fans have their pick of the litter this weekend.

Several new shows have premiered, including "Good American Family" and "The Residence." Meanwhile, "Severance" season two aired its highly anticipated finale.

On the movie side, some of 2024's buzziest films are now available to stream, including "Wicked" and the Oscar-sweeping indie "Anora."

Here's a complete rundown of all the best movies, shows, and documentaries to stream this weekend, broken down by what kind of entertainment you're looking for.

For a fictionalized true-crime drama, check out "Good American Family."

The story of Natalia Grace fascinated audiences when it was teased out in an ID docuseries that unfolded over the course of multiple years (with a few unexpected twists and turns during filming). The Ukrainian orphan was famously accused of being an adult posing as a child by her American adoptive parents.

"Good American Family," starring Ellen Pompeo as Natalia's adoptive mom Kristine Barnett, is the first scripted take on the story and uses multiple perspectives to get viewers to question the nature of truth.

Streaming on: Hulu

Or "Happy Face."

For a true crime drama of the decidedly more lethal variety, check out "Happy Face," which premiered its first two episodes this week.

The series focuses on Melissa, a real woman who learned as a teenager that she was the daughter of an infamous murderer after her dad, Keith Jesperson (aka the Happy Face Killer), was arrested. The real Melissa Moore serves as an executive producer on the show, which stars Annaleigh Ashford as a version of Melissa.

Streaming on: Paramount+

If you like movies like "Knives Out," try "The Residence."

As with the Rian Johnson films — which are also on Netflix — "The Residence" is a whodunit that leans into comedy, focusing on a fictional murder mystery in the White House. Uzo Aduba's police consultant character even has a similarly alliterative (and somewhat silly-sounding) name to rival Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc.

Streaming on: Netflix

If you're a fan of musicals, watch "Wicked."

The popular Broadway musical got the film adaptation treatment last year and was a hit at the box office. Now, "Wicked" is available to stream at home, so you can experience Ariana Grande's Glinda and Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba in all their Oscar-nominated glory from the comfort of your couch.

Streaming on: Peacock

"Anora" is also finally streaming.

Sean Baker's "Anora" swept the Oscars, but the indie film was probably one of the lesser-seen nominees. It's finally available to watch at home, so you can see the performance that led Mikey Madison to triumph over best actress frontrunner Demi Moore.

Streaming on: Hulu

So is "Sing Sing."

Another underappreciated 2024 critical darling, "Sing Sing" stars Colman Domingo as an incarcerated man who finds purpose after joining a theater group in prison. Domingo was nominated for an Oscar for his performance and acted alongside real former inmates.

Streaming on: Max

If you like rock operas, "O'Dessa" is delightful.

The plot isn't exactly airtight, but if you take it for what it is, "O'Dessa" is a fun ride with impressive performances. Sadie Sink shines as the title character, a young orphaned musician in a postapocalyptic future. Imbued with the power of music to change the world, she embarks on a quest to save her family heirloom guitar and save her true love.

Streaming on: Hulu

"Severance" season two ended this week.

The megahit workplace thriller/mystery box series completed its second season this week. The ending of "Severance" season two left off on a major cliffhanger, so hopefully fans won't have to wait another three years for "Severance" season three.

Streaming on: Apple TV+

True crime fans should watch "A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read."

One of the most baffling true crime cases in recent memory, this new ID docuseries looks into the death of John O'Keefe, who was found dead in the front yard of his friend's home. His girlfriend, Karen Read, was subsequently arrested and charged with his murder, but has maintained her innocence. Read participates in the doc.

Streaming on: Max

For a twisty thriller, watch "Tyler Perry's Duplicity."

Kat Graham stars as a lawyer trying to figure out who shot her best friend's husband. The synopsis promises "a treacherous maze of deception and betrayal," so this is probably a good one for the Harlan Coben fans out there.

Streaming on: Prime Video