Imogen Faith Reid’s True Age Revealed After ‘Good American Family’ Hulu Release: Inside the Good American Family Show | Natalia Grace

Imogen Faith Reid: The 27-Year-Old Actress Bringing Nuance to Natalia Grace’s Story in ‘Good American Family’

March 19, 2025

Hulu’s new series, Good American Family, delves into the complex and controversial story of Natalia Grace, a young girl with a rare form of dwarfism adopted by a couple from the midwest. The series, featuring major stars such as Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass who portray Kristine and Michael Barnett, explores the accusations leveled against Natalia, who the Barnetts alleged was an adult masquerading as a child. But the actress portraying Natalia, Imogen faith Reid, has audiences captivated. As viewers delve into the show, many are curious about the actress bringing Natalia to life: Imogen Faith Reid.

The role requires Reid to portray Natalia across a significant age range, from 7 to 19, sparking interest in Reid’s actual age and how she embodies such a multifaceted character. Reid’s performance has already garnered significant attention for it’s depth and sensitivity. A recent review lauded her “raw interpretation that never gives into precociousness or self-consciousness.”

Reid, born in May 1997, is currently 27 years old. This age difference,while seemingly significant,hasn’t detracted from her ability to capture the essence of Natalia’s experiences.

But this story extends beyond a fictionalized television series. It touches upon critical issues of adoption,disability,and the often-fraught dynamics within families facing extraordinary circumstances. The series’ trailer is available online for viewing, offering a glimpse into the dramatic retelling of the events.

Beyond the Screen: Imogen’s Perspective

Reid, reflecting on her 27th birthday while filming Good American Family, shared her feelings on Instagram, noting how grateful she felt to be working with such a supportive cast and crew. She wrote, “I just turned 27 which is getting a lil serious now I’m not liking this aging thing anymore. But I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have spent it with the best people.
Thank you to everyone who made my birthday SO special I truly feel so loved my by TV family this experience is genuinely the best experience I’ve ever had, I’m soo grateful that I get to be apart of it and honestly don’t want this to end at all and I’m so lucky to have had my sis there to help me celebrate . I’m gonna remember this birthday for a while .”

This personal touch provides insight into Reid’s dedication to the role and her appreciation for the opportunity to portray Natalia’s story. Such dedication is very important in giving justice when portraying stories about real life cases.

It is noteworthy that Imogen is embracing the role of Natalia wholeheartedly. This instagram post reflects a deep sense of gratitude and connection with her “TV family,” highlighting the supportive habitat on set.

Natalia’s Reality: A Life Under Scrutiny

In stark contrast to Reid’s experience, Natalia grace’s real-life journey has been marked by controversy and hardship.Currently 21,Natalia has publicly shared her experiences and perspectives in the docu-series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks.

“I was six years old when they adopted me. But the Barnetts did a petition to change my age to 22 years old. I literally lost my childhood,” Natalia said in the docu-series. “The Barnetts tried to paint me as this big monster, they claimed I’m lying about my age.” Her words highlight the emotional toll of the accusations and the legal battles that ensued.

The legal battle surrounding Natalia’s age,she claims,robbed her of her childhood. It’s a stark reminder of the real-world implications of the narrative explored in Good american Family.

Casting the Perfect Natalia: The Showrunner’s Perspective

Sarah sutherland, the showrunner for Good American Family, emphasized the impact of Reid’s audition. “Imogen blew everybody away,” Sutherland told Variety. “As soon as everybody saw her tape, it was clear she was the one.”

Sutherland further elaborated on the demands of the role, stating, “I mean, she not only has to play over a wide range of years, but she also plays Natalia from two different ages and different people’s perspectives.” This complexity underscores the challenge Reid faced in bringing authenticity and nuance to the character.

Disability Representation in Media: A Broader Context

The casting of Imogen Faith Reid, who does not have dwarfism, raises critically important questions about disability representation in media. While Reid’s performance has been praised, some disability advocates argue that roles depicting individuals with disabilities should be offered to actors with those lived experiences. This ensures authenticity and avoids perpetuating stereotypes.

For instance, in the U.S., organizations like the Ruderman Family Foundation advocate for more inclusive casting practices. They argue that hiring actors with disabilities not only promotes representation but also enriches the storytelling process.

The discussion surrounding Reid’s casting highlights the ongoing debate about representation,authenticity,and opportunity within the entertainment industry. It underscores the importance of continuing these conversations and striving for more inclusive practices.

The Impact and Implications for American Families

Good American Family has implications for American families,particularly those considering adoption or raising children with disabilities. The series highlights the challenges and complexities that can arise, emphasizing the need for thorough support systems and open communication.

The series could be a beneficial tool for social workers and therapists working with adoptive families, as it can provide a starting point for discussions about difficult issues and promote empathy and understanding. It also raises awareness about the importance of early intervention and access to resources for children with disabilities and their families.

The show serves as a reminder that every family’s journey is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. It encourages viewers to consider the perspectives of all involved and to approach sensitive situations with compassion and understanding.

Here’s a look at the key players involved in the series:

Character	Actor	Description
Natalia Grace	Imogen Faith Reid	The adoptee at the center of the controversy.
Kristine barnett	Ellen Pompeo	One of Natalia’s adoptive mothers.
Michael Barnett	Mark Duplass	one of Natalia’s adoptive fathers.

how did Imogen Faith Reid prepare for her role as Natalia Grace, considering the wide age range the character portrays in the series?

Imogen Faith Reid on ‘Good American Family’: Bringing Natalia Grace’s Story to Life in ‘good American Family’

Archyde News: Welcome, Imogen. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today to discuss your role as Natalia Grace in the highly anticipated Hulu series, “Good American Family.” Your portrayal has already garnered a lot of attention. What drew you to this project,and what aspects of Natalia’s story resonated with you most?

Imogen Faith Reid: Thank you for having me. I was immediately captivated by Natalia’s story.It’s a story of resilience, survival, and the complexities of family. I was moved by the opportunity to portray a character who has gone through so much, notably given the controversies surrounding her. The role required notable research and empathy, which was deeply compelling.

Archyde News: The series covers a wide age range for Natalia. How did you approach embodying Natalia at different stages of her life,from a young child to a teenager,and how did you prepare for the role?

Imogen Faith Reid: That was definitely a major challenge,but also really exciting. I spent a lot of time studying Natalia’s interviews, and the available details, paying close attention to her mannerisms and voice. I worked with a great team as well. We really worked on portraying different aspects of her personality at each age. It was a collaborative effort to capture the essence of her experiences, which also included working with acting coaches and doing extensive research to ensure authenticity.

Archyde News: Beyond the acting, the series tackles sensitive themes of adoption, disability, and family dynamics. Did you feel a sense of duty in portraying this true story, considering the real-life experiences of Natalia Grace?

Imogen Faith Reid: Absolutely. I felt a huge responsibility to honor Natalia’s story with integrity and sensitivity. it’s crucial to approach such a real-life narrative with respect for the individuals involved. Knowing that this is a true story that has had and continues to have a real-world impact on Natalia’s life was somthing I took vrey seriously.

Archyde News: The showrunner, Sarah Sutherland, has spoken about your audition and how you “blew everybody away.” Can you share a bit about the audition process and what you believe made your portrayal connect so strongly?

Imogen Faith Reid: The audition was definitely a pivotal moment. I remember focusing on delivering a performance that felt real and that conveyed the emotional depth of Natalia’s story. I believe a combination of thorough preparation, a deep understanding of the character, and a genuine emotional connection to the material, helped me be chosen.

archyde News: As you’ve noted,the show raises critically important questions about the representation of individuals with disabilities in media. Do you have any perspectives to share on this issue, particularly given that you don’t have dwarfism?

Imogen Faith Reid: It’s a very thoughtful and important topic.The entertainment industry is evolving, and there are constant discussions about representation. Portraying a role like this is a privilege and a responsibility, and I hope that my performance encourages further discussion about more inclusive practices in casting and overall representation.

Archyde News: “Good American Family” is bound to spark further discussion. What do you hope viewers will take away from the series, and what are your hopes for the future of the conversations surrounding Natalia’s life?

Imogen Faith Reid: I hope the series encourages empathy and understanding for Natalia’s situation and similar situations within families. I hope it sparks conversations about support systems for families, the importance of clear interaction, and the vital need for compassion in complex situations. Additionally, I hope it helps people understand how critically important it is indeed to support the adoption journey for those that are doing it with integrity.

Archyde news: Thank you so much for your time, Imogen. We wish you the very best of luck with “Good American Family.”

Imogen Faith Reid: Thank you.