Update on upcoming series about real-life adopted ‘child’ who turned out to be 22-year-old woman
If there was ever a case which could keep you up at night, Natalia Grace's adoption saga has to be up there.
Even though the row regarding her age first erupted 12-years ago, people are still fascinated by the Ukraine-born woman's story more than a decade on - and luckily for them, a new series about her is in the works.
And according to the Brit actress who is taking on the complicated character of Natalia Grace, it could be on our TV screens sooner than you might have thought.
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For those who need a quick refresher on who Natalia Grace is, let's get into it.
Back in 2010, US couple Kristine and Michael Barnett adopted the then-six-year-old girl and were informed that she suffered from a rare form of dwarfism - but two years later, they abandoned her.
The pair alleged that Natalia was actually an 'adult sociopath masquerading as a child', while also claiming that she had tried to kill them.
The Barnetts successfully petitioned to have her birth age changed from 2003 to 1989, meaning she would legally be recognised as an adult in her 20s, and left Natalia Grace in an apartment in Indiana while they moved to Canada.
In a bid to prove her medical condition or her age wasn't a lie, Natalia Grace underwent examinations by age specialists and even appeared on an interview with Dr Phil to give her side of the story.
She also went through DNA testing with the company TruDiagnostic, who told her: "Based on all the studies and everything being analysed, you’re more close to 22, which is pretty close to what you think… you’re almost 20."
When her adopted parents abandoned her in 2012 they claimed she was a 22-year-old posing as a child, but according to these results, she would have been around nine when they left her in Indiana.
Charges of neglect were brought against the Barnetts but in 2022, a jury trial acquitted Michael, while the Journal and Courier reports that in 2023 a judge dismissed the charges against Kristine as there was 'insufficient evidence at trial to prove the charges in this case beyond a reasonable doubt'.
Mental, we know - and Hulu's upcoming series Orphan is set to delve into it all over again, from various different perspectives of those at the centre of the scandal.
The show will focus on the Barnetts as they come to terms with the possibility that their daughter lied to them, and suspect she may not be who she says she is.
Greys Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo will play Kristine, while The Morning Show's Mark Duplass will play her husband Michael while Dule Hill and Sarayu Blue will also appear in the new show.
Imogen Faith Reid will portray Natalia Grace in Orphan, which will mark her first major acting appearance.
Back in August, she issued an update on the progress of the series to fans on Instagram, declaring filming had wrapped.
The 4ft' 3ins actress wrote: "Very, very, late wrap post. I can’t believe I’ve just filmed my first ever TV series and I happen to be playing the main character.
"This experience has been honestly the best experience I have ever had! Every single person was so so supportive and I remember being soo nervous on my first day as it was all soo new to me!!"
Reid went on to praise the cast and crew, as well as adding: "I still can’t believe I got this opportunity, I still pinch myself everyday about what I’ve just done for the last 5 months I’m soo lucky and grateful.
"Thank you for giving me this role and believing in me. This story is for Natalia Grace."
A release date for Orphan has not yet been confirmed, but we will keep you posted.
Topics: Natalia Grace, TV, TV and Film, US News, Instagram
Olivia Burke