SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers for “Too Hurty Without It,” Episode 5 of “Good American Family,” now streaming on Hulu.
Living in England, “Good American Family” actress Imogen Faith Reid had never heard of Natalia Grace. “There was one story,” she says, about scouring the British media before her audition. It wasn’t until she got the part that Reid discovered Natalia’s story and all that had happened.
Courtesy of Hulu
The Hulu series is a dramatization of the real-life events of Kristine (Ellen Pompeo) and Michael Barnett (Mark Duplass), the couple who adopted Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with a rare and severe form of dwarfism. Each episode unfolds in flashback form, exploring what happened after the adoption. After exploring the Barnetts’ perspective, and recounting the events that led to them eventually being accused of neglect, in this week’s “Good American Family,” the series shifts to Natalia’s point of view. For the torturous full hour, the audience sees Natalia living in the apartment the Barnetts dumped her in, having convinced themselves that she’s actually an adult, and has deliberately fooled them into taking her in. The dingy studio apartment isn’t even accessible for Natalia as she attempts to survive independently — while she also grapples with the idea of being abandoned by her “family.”
For Reid, 27, “Good American Family was her acting debut. She had various coaches helping her move like Natalia, and perfect her American accent, since Reid hails from London. She also had to learn to go through the emotional wringer, as Natalia is deemed — especially by Kristine — to be a threat to the Barnett family. With Pompeo, Duplass and director Liz Garbus all on set, Reid says the cast were more than supportive of her. At one point, during this episode, Michael (Duplass), whom Natalia still considers to be her dad, comes to visit her, and Natalia doesn’t want him to leave. During filming, Duplass shared advice with Reid to help her crack the emotional intensity she needed: She should treat the moment like a break up.
Here, Reid shares her experience working on the show, her process — and what she hopes the real Natalia Grace will see in her performance.
Episode 5 shifts to Natalia’s perspective. Can you talk about shooting that, and what it was like?
There were so many amazing scenes. There was one scene that I did with Mark, and he gave me such amazing advice. It’s when Michael visits Natalia, and she just wants him back. She needs someone, and he doesn’t understand what’s going on. He said, “It’s almost like a breakup.” It was such a heartbreaking scene, and he’s an incredible scene partner to shoot with. He was also just so sensitive to my emotions as an actor.
Courtesy of Hulu
There’s the scene on the bus with Natalia and a neighor kid she’s befriended. What is Natalia going through at that point, and what does she want?
That scene is so important, because it really showcases Natalia as a child, as her actual age. She’s found someone whom she can relate to, and up until that point, she hasn’t had that in the show. So, it showcases her just finding a friend, and finding her own self. When she says, “No, I’m eight years old,” it was so sweet. It’s a really lighthearted moment and fun — and of course, it all goes wrong from there.
What was the most challenging scene or sequence for you to shoot in that episode?
There were multiple moments, because it’s all so intense. The scene between Mark and me was intense. The scene with Ellen was tense, but again, Ellen was so amazing and always asking if I was OK. She did such a great job in the scene.
It was quite demanding physically too, especially when Natalia had her tantrum. But it was great to get those emotions, as Natalia, out. I had to commend the cast and crew, because everyone was just so supportive.
Courtesy of Hulu
It’s fascinating to watch, because in some scenes, Kristine has the power, and other times it’s Natalia. In that scene between the two of them, who are we believing?
I think she was just trying to get it right with her. She was terrified of Kristine, and Michael was brainwashed, essentially. With that scene, she’s pleading, “Please don’t leave me! I’ll do anything you want!” She’s just this child who didn’t know any better, and it’s so heartbreaking. Natalia still wanted her, Kristine’s, love, because that’s all she kind of knew.
Natalia Grace is a real person and still alive, and you’re telling her story. What was important to you?
I think I just really wanted to show that justice. I wanted her voice to be seen and heard. Episode 5 was so heavy, seeing her on her own and abandoned. It meant a lot to do it, and showcase her pain. I don’t know if Natalia will watch it, but I hope she sees the light that I put into Natalia and the justice that I tried to fight for.
Courtesy of Hulu
Going back, what was your process in preparing to play Natalia?
I had an amazing acting coach who broke down the script with me, the character’s intentions and what she’s going through. That all really helped me as someone who had never done a speaking role before. I also had an incredible movement coach to help me navigate Natalia’s movement as I was playing my own version of Natalia. As a little person, I didn’t want to imitate Natalia’s movement, as we have different types of dwarfisms, but also to make it more authentic in my own body. I had an amazing dialect coach to help with the accent, and working with the show’s executive producers all helped me create my version of Natalia.
You mention your movement coach. How much time did you spend working with them?
I worked with [Ana Karneža] throughout filming. I would walk around the room as myself, and then we would implement certain things. She would ask, “What would happen if you were walking and there was mud around you?” Or she would give me scenarios and say, “There are pebbles at the bottom of your feet, how would that affect you?” All those things helped me figure out how to move like Natalia. How would she move? How would she run? We would go through it all, and it was about finding my body, but also it was fun to explore, because it was so physical.
Imogen Faith Reid and director Liz Garbus
Courtesy of Hulu
As your first leading role, it’s a lot to take on. You’ve got a true story, you’ve got Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass, and Liz Garbus directing. What was your first day on set like?
I was so nervous, but also so excited to just get going. The cast made me feel so at home and so comfortable. That first day was exciting for us all, and I remember everyone clapping for me because it was my first day. But it was incredible.
What are you hoping audiences take away from this?
I hope that people try not to judge others so quickly. If someone doesn’t look like you or speak like you, we’re all different anyway. We all take different paths and lives, and that is what makes us who we are. I think we’re really lucky to be a part of the show that really delves into inclusivity and telling unique stories.
So, how do you let go of playing someone like Natalia — this part that was emotionally challenging, but physically too?
It was so heavy. I couldn’t stay in Natalia for so long. Props to actors, when they do method acting. I’m a very playful person, and I need to laugh sometimes. At the end of the day, I put my headphones in, I would have my playlist, which was called “Immy’s chill playlist,” where I just chill out, message my friends, let Natalia go. And, yeah, that was an important moment in each day, just to wind down. And feel like me again.
Who was on your playlist?
Ariana Grande and her new song, “We Can’t be Friends,” I was obsessed with that, and I’d sing it on set. I’d listen to Pentatonix and their cover of “Sound of Silence.” I would listen to that all the time, and it really helped me wind down.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
