“Do We Pivot and Do an Anthology?” ‘THR Presents’ Q&A With ‘Good American Family’ Star Ellen Pompeo

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Ellen Pompeo is surprised by the success of the series Good American Family. This Hulu limited series, based on the true and viral story of Natalia Grace – the Ukrainian-born girl with severe dwarfism, adopted by the characters played by Pompeo (as Kristine Barnett) and her husband Michael (portrayed by Mark Duplass) in 2010, who later accused them of lying about her age – has been a ratings triumph for the streaming platform. The final episode on April 30 was the most-watched finale of 2025 across Hulu and Disney. The series has become a hot topic at work, an Emmy contender, and Pompeo took a break from her long-running role on Grey’s Anatomy to take part in this project where she could fully immerse herself in a character unlike the beloved, trailblazing doctor she portrayed before.

Pompeo admits that if ‘Grey’s’ follow-up didn’t go well, it would have been quite awkward. (Chuckles.) However, she acknowledges that creating a show is tough. It’s tough to produce content. In the video chat for THR Presents, she says, ‘This show isn’t flawless. If we were having a casual dinner conversation, I’d share countless mistakes and disliked aspects. Making a streaming show is challenging, especially with the same pace as a network show while aiming to be more creative. The outcome in this business is always uncertain – you never truly know what you’ll get, how it will be received, or when it will be released. Any success we achieve in our line of work is simply a blessing and a victory, and I was incredibly relieved.’

As a gamer, I never imagined my fanbase would be this passionate! Even Hulu might have been taken aback by the overwhelming viewership numbers. The love and support from fans like you, alongside talented individuals such as Duplass, Reed, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, and Dulé Hill, has truly exceeded expectations. I think they expected it to perform well, but not quite at these heights. You see, just because I’ve been beloved as Meredith Grey on Grey’s doesn’t guarantee anything for the future. It doesn’t mean you’ll automatically follow me or connect with any other character I play. And the fact that you’ve shown such faith in me is incredibly meaningful and humbling.

As a gamer diving deep into this gripping series, I reached the midway point, only to find the narrative shift its focus to Grace’s tale. The show delved into court records and public reports to create a compelling clash of perspectives. By the final episode, it became clear that Natalia was just seven when adopted by the Barnetts, making her eight when they left her alone. Though the series didn’t absolve Kristine or Michael, they managed to evade legal consequences for their neglect charges. Michael was acquitted in 2022, while the charges against Kristine were dropped the following year.

After the successful conclusion of “Good American Family,” Pompeo expressed that the series had portrayed Kristine’s story in its entirety. However, immediately following the final episode, Pompeo mentioned that discussions between her and Katie Robbins, the creator/co-showrunner, about potential continuations with Hulu ensued.

She mentions that those discussions began a few weeks back, following the release of episode eight. To be honest, she was taken aback by how swiftly it all unfolded. Currently, there are two possibilities under consideration: Either the story about Kristine Barnett has reached its conclusion, or her interpretation of Kristine Barnett’s story is complete. The question now is whether there’s a compelling enough reason to carry on with this narrative or if we should shift direction and explore an anthology format for a new story next season. She’s not ready to reveal the specific story we’re considering, but she’s excited about it. Her preference is to create an anthology, as she believes the story we have in mind is exceptionally well-suited for our show’s unique approach of switching perspectives.

Pompeo mentioned they have a few more discussions to determine the show’s fate, with the final decision lying in Hulu’s hands since they foot the bill. She expressed that she wouldn’t be suitable for the lead role in the proposed concept and would instead continue as a producer. Pompeo produces shows through her production company, Calamity Jane, which is affiliated with ABC Signature. Moreover, she and Robbins have another idea they sold and are currently developing for Hulu as well.

Having successfully stepped into the villain’s shoes on Grey’s Anatomy, a role that was daring yet rewarding for me as a beloved cast member, I can’t help but feel thrilled about what lies ahead. Whether it’s taking on more producing roles or gracing the screen again, the latter involves another seven episodes in the upcoming season of Grey’s Anatomy, where I also hold the position of executive producer. I’m always eager to be a part of this hit ABC medical drama, as they typically schedule me to appear at the start, middle, and end of each season, ensuring my presence is consistent throughout the narrative, as I continue to provide the voiceover for each episode.

Moving past the well-known halls of Grey’s Anatomy, Pompeo contemplates the significance of an Emmy nomination and peer acknowledgement at this point in her acting journey.

On “Grey’s Anatomy”, opportunities for nominations usually come during the first few seasons. By then, that window had definitely closed for me. I didn’t yearn for that kind of recognition; instead, I sought a more stable financial and employment situation. That’s why I chose to remain on the show. If I were after critical acclaim, I wouldn’t have stayed on “Grey’s Anatomy” for as long as I did. So while it wasn’t always my top priority, it could undoubtedly assist me in this new phase of my career – transitioning from “Grey’s Anatomy” and taking on new roles.

She goes on to say, “I’ve never provided anyone with reasons to expect anything more from me. So if people managed to notice that I did something extraordinary and considered it worthy of an Emmy nomination, it would be nice for me to offer myself a pat on the back because I’m not particularly good at doing so! After 500 episodes on television, I think it’s reasonable to want a small token of recognition now.

This edition of THR Presents is sponsored by Hulu.

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2025-06-18 21:24