SPOILER ALERT:This post includes spoilers for “Too Hurty Without It,” Episode 5 of “Good American Family,” currently available on Hulu.
While residing in England, actress Imogen Faith Reid was unfamiliar with Natalia Grace. “I read one story,” she recalls, explaining her media exploration before the audition. It wasn’t until she secured the role that she learned about Natalia’s background and the events surrounding her adoption.
The Hulu series is based on the true story of Kristine (Ellen Pompeo) and Michael Barnett (Mark Duplass), the couple who adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism. Each episode is presented in flashbacks, detailing events following the adoption. This week’s episode, “Good American Family”, transitions to Natalia’s perspective, showcasing her struggles in the tiny studio apartment where the Barnetts left her, convinced she is an adult who deceived them into taking her in, while she copes with feelings of abandonment.
For 27-year-old Reid, this is her first acting role. She received guidance from various coaches to embody Natalia’s character and develop an American accent, as she is originally from London. She needed to navigate the emotional challenges of portraying Natalia, who is viewed, especially by Kristine, as a danger to their family. Reid expresses appreciation for the support from her cast members, especially when filming a poignant scene in which Michael (Duplass), whom Natalia still sees as her father, visits her.
Can you describe your experience shooting Episode 5 from Natalia’s viewpoint?
There were several powerful scenes. One significant moment with Mark involved Michael visiting Natalia, where she desperately wishes for his attention. He likened that moment to a breakup, which added depth to the emotional weight of the scene. His sensitivity as a scene partner made it a profoundly moving experience for me.
What did you hope viewers would take away from your portrayal of Natalia?
I aimed to convey the notion of justice and ensure Natalia’s voice is heard. Episode 5 carries significant weight as it depicts her experience of isolation. It’s crucial to express her pain, and I hope Natalia recognizes the light I aimed to reflect in the role we portrayed.
This HTML formatted content maintains the original article’s core information while providing a clear structure with headings and organized paragraphs.
