Hulu Series Inspired by Story of Natalia Grace Barnett, Orphan with Dwarfism, Draws Reactions – Here’s Why Viewers ‘Will Not Watch’

The series, which will have eight episodes, features an impressive cast, including Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, Imogen Faith Reid, Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Jenny O'Hara. Reid will take on the role of Grace in the drama series.

Pompeo will star as Grace's adoptive mother, Kristine Barnett. This marks Pompeo's first major role since “Grey's Anatomy” debuted in 2005. After playing Meredith Grey for over 400 episodes, she stepped down as a series regular in 2023 but has continued to make guest appearances.

When news broke about the upcoming series at Hulu and its cast, reactions poured in. While some viewers expressed intrigue, others were far from impressed with the casting choices.

One person admitted to having mixed feelings “I'm unsure about this but I am very curious to see Ellen Pompeo in a different role for the first time in like 20 years. Let’s see what she can do!”

However, some fans just couldn't separate Pompeo from her iconic role, with one saying, “Can’t see her as anyone other than Meredith Grey, sorry.” Another person bluntly stated, “We seen Orphan already… Meredith Gray Go back to being a doctor!!”

A different user shared a direct response, “No thanks I will not watch anything she is in.” One user voiced their disapproval, “Terrible casting for Natalia.” One person simply declared, “So over this.”

Others were more skeptical about the show’s direction, with one viewer questioning, “So are they going the parents were duped route with this? Also, Pompeo’s acting in the first 30 seconds is not it lol.” However, not all reactions were negative. A supporter of the lineup announced their excitement, “Great actors for this.”

Aside from giving a glimpse at the cast, the trailer also indicates that the series, produced by 20th Television, is inspired by multiple stories, perspectives, threats, interpretations, and accusations.

It begins with a voiceover narrated by Ellen Pompeo, “I've always considered myself blessed. I've known I was put on this Earth to build a world where all kids can feel safe.”

Grace, played by Reid, is adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett, initially marking a fresh start for the couple and their three biological children. However, their seemingly joyous new chapter quickly spirals into a chilling nightmare packed with suspense, shocking twists, and unsettling revelations.

One of the first red flags emerges when the Barnetts discover that Grace’s previous adoptive family mysteriously returned her, without explanation. Medical records then reveal even more unsettling details, Grace, whom they believed to be a young girl, has adult teeth and shows signs of puberty.

As the trailer unfolds, tension mounts with intense conflicts between the adoptive parents, child services stepping in, heated courtroom battles, and even physical altercations. The suspense builds to the trailer’s closing words, “Folks just love a good American family.”

A docuseries, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter,” was previously released by Apple TV on Grace. It explored whether she was an exploited child with Dwarfism or a dangerous adult posing as a child.

The angle of exploitation comes in because the Barnetts left Grace alone in an Indiana apartment and moved to Canada in 2013. The couple faced charges of neglect in 2019 but it was later dismissed. The two argued that they felt threatened by Grace, forcing them to relocate and leave her behind.

Grace was later adopted by several families, including the family of Bishop Antwon and Cynthia Mans. When the couple legally adopted Grace, she became a part of their religious lifestyle and assisted in caring for her 10 siblings. They lived in Indiana and, later, Tennessee.

However, at 21, she escaped her adoptive family in the middle of the night in an attempt to regain her freedom. Grace stayed with the family for 10 years before she ran away after carefully planning with her boyfriend Neil, whom she met on Facebook

She then accused the Mans family of controlling and restricting her from contacting outsiders. Witnesses including neighbors and friends backed up Grace's claims, saying they saw her adoptive parents whip her with a belt, slap her in the face, lock her in a room, and assault her.

When she escaped, Grace moved in with Nicole DePaul and her husband Vince. The couple had tried to adopt her in 2009 but were unsuccessful. Grace faced uncertainty about leaving the Mans adoptive family, which she had known for over a decade. Ultimately, she recognized it as the right step for her.

Since then, she has found stability and care with the DePaul family, who, like her, are little people. They have supported her through therapy to help her process past trauma. While their household is generally harmonious, there are moments of disagreement, though their bond remains strong.

Despite past accusations, the DePaul family insists she has never shown violent tendencies. “Our dogs love her and they sleep with her. I'm an animal lover. If I didn't trust her, I wouldn't leave my babies with her. They're also a judge of character, as well,” said Nicole.

Even so, Grace has been diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), a condition often seen in children who have spent time in orphanages. Her guardian acknowledges that she may have acted unusually in the past but believes that adopting a child means offering unwavering support rather than abandoning them when challenges arise.

Now, Grace has been focused on building a future for herself. She prepared for her GED, aspiring to become a schoolteacher. She is also learning to drive. Music remains a source of joy, with Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus among her favorites. Additionally, she is planning necessary surgeries to address her medical needs.

Her personal life has also flourished, as she has found love with Neil. “It's a blessing to be alive today because looking back at my 7-year-old self, I should have been dead,” she noted. Grace has also embraced the journey of learning how to navigate life with dwarfism.

While she still misses her siblings from the Mans family, she values her newfound independence and freedom. Her guardians, the DePaul family, emphasize that their role is to guide her, not control her, and describe her as a kindhearted person who would never cause harm.