An adopted ‘child’ who turned out to be a 22-year-old woman is getting a series based on her life, and they’ve found someone to play her from the UK.
Natalia Grace Barnett is an American refugee, born in Ukraine, who was found out to not be the ‘child’ with dwarfism she purported to be, as she was actually a 22-year-old.
The story is being adapted into an upcoming show called Orphan.
Whilst you may think the story sounds familiar, that’s because it is, as the real-life story bares a creepy resemblance to the 2009 film of the same name.
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Although the show is not based on the film, Grace Barnett claims it does play a role in the whole weird story.
Grace Barnett’s adopted parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, ‘discovered’ their adopted daughter’s true age, and were successful in a petition to have it changed.
The couple also claimed she made several attempts to kill them.
Following this, Natalia pushed back – claiming this was untrue, and even appeared on an interview with Dr Phil to give her side of the story.
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In that interview, a woman who took Natalia in after the incident claims she believed that Kristine Barnett was inspired by the movie Orphan to believe she was lying about her age.
The news made headlines in 2019, after the couple were charged with ‘neglect’ for abandoning her.
The show will focus on the Barnett’s as they come to terms with the possibility their daughter lied to them, and suspect she may not be who she says she is.
Kristine Barnett will be played by a TV icon, with Greys Anatomy alumnus Ellen Pompeo set to play her. Mark Duplass was recently cast as her on-screen husband.
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The pair will be joined in the series by TV veterans Dule Hill and Sarayu Blue in recurring roles.
The core role of Natalia, though, is set to be played by a Brit, with Imogen Faith Reid cast for the show.
Reid posted the news to Instagram, excited to be working with one actor in particular.
She said: “I don’t have words NONE I’m so EXCITED to not only be starring in my first series or going to L.A but working alongside Ellen Pompeo.
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“The fact that I’m obsessed with greys anatomy and now get to work with Meridith Grey I’m so excited, nervous, anxious.”
The 4ft 3 actor has appeared in minor roles in TV shows and film, but this is her first major appearance.
Orphan is the working title of the project, and is being written by Katie Robbins, who will also act as the showrunner.
Topics: Crime, TV and Film, TV, Natalia Grace
Michael Slavin