Ritesh Sharma
What happens when a family opens its doors to a child in need—only to question whether she’s really a child at all? Created by Katie Robbins, Hulu’s ‘Good American Family’ takes this unsettling premise and transforms it into a gripping psychological drama. Inspired by the real-life case of Natalia Grace, the series follows Kristine and Michael, a couple who adopt Natalia, believing her to be a six-year-old with a rare form of dwarfism. At first, they embrace her as their daughter, but soon, small inconsistencies begin to creep in. Her mannerisms, maturity, and medical records don’t quite add up.
Told from shifting perspectives, ‘Good American Family’ doesn’t just recount events—it dissects how perception, trauma, and paranoia shape what people accept as reality. Locations play a pivotal role, reflecting the emotional landscape: a cozy family home turns into a place of doubt, stark courtrooms magnify the weight of judgment, and fractured memories blur the line between past and present.
Good American Family Filming Locations
Staying true to its title, ‘Good American Family’ was filmed across various locations in California, with Los Angeles serving as the primary backdrop. In addition to LA, the production team also shot key sequences in Santa Clarita and Long Beach, ensuring a diverse visual landscape for the series. Filming for the limited series began on March 25, 2024, and progressed smoothly, thanks to the well-coordinated efforts of the cast and crew. Their professionalism and efficiency kept the schedule on track, allowing production to wrap up on July 11, 2024—just a few months after principal photography began—without major delays or setbacks.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles served as the central hub for the production of ‘Good American Family,’ offering a diverse range of urban landscapes that enriched the storytelling. The city’s vast infrastructure and iconic sites provided versatile backdrops for various scenes. Downtown Los Angeles played a crucial role in shaping the professional lives of the characters, with locations like the Spring Street Financial District lending authenticity to the corporate and legal settings depicted in the series. The area’s early twentieth-century architecture provided a timeless aesthetic, while Los Angeles City Hall, located at 200 North Spring Street, became the backdrop for multiple courthouse sequences.
In addition to the urban locations, the series also made use of Echo Park, capturing its blend of residential zones and recreational areas to create intimate, character-driven moments. Meanwhile, Griffith Park, situated at 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, provided lush greenery and open spaces, serving as the setting for family picnics and moments of introspection. With its extensive cinematic history, Los Angeles has hosted numerous productions, including ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ both of which capitalized on the city’s versatility to bring their stories to life.
Santa Clarita, California
Santa Clarita’s suburban ambiance and scenic landscapes made it an ideal location for portraying the domestic environments in ‘Good American Family.’ The production team extensively filmed in the Valencia neighborhoods, capturing the uniformity and charm of its residential areas to represent the Barnett family’s home setting. The houses along the 23800-23900 block of Newhall Ranch Road seamlessly fit the aesthetic of an upper-middle-class American household, providing a warm and familiar backdrop for the family’s personal struggles and triumphs. Beyond residential areas, the series also utilized Sable Ranch, located at 25933 Sand Canyon Road, to stage larger community events and family gatherings.
The expansive ranch, with its natural surroundings and rustic appeal, allowed for visually dynamic scenes that balanced the show’s intimate domestic drama with a sense of openness. Santa Clarita has long been a sought-after filming destination due to its proximity to Los Angeles and adaptable scenery. It has previously served as a backdrop for shows like ‘NCIS’ and ‘S.W.A.T.,’ which took advantage of the area’s ability to double for different locations while maintaining a controlled filming environment.
Long Beach, California
Long Beach brought a unique coastal backdrop to ‘Good American Family’, blending urban and seaside environments to add visual depth to the series. The waterfront area of Shoreline Village, located at 429 Shoreline Village Drive, became a key location for scenes depicting family outings and reflective moments by the marina. The picturesque boardwalk and docked boats created a serene yet lively atmosphere that complemented the show’s themes of connection and self-discovery. Meanwhile, The Pike Outlets, situated at 95 South Pine Avenue, provided a vibrant and modern setting for casual social interactions and leisurely weekend scenes.
Another crucial filming spot was the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center at 300 East Ocean Boulevard, which was transformed into a venue for conferences and large-scale community gatherings that played an integral role in the plot. Long Beach has long been a favorite among filmmakers due to its mix of historic and contemporary locations. Shows like ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ have used the city’s varied landscapes to depict different settings, showcasing its ability to stand in for multiple locations within a single production. Through its meticulous use of these locations, ‘Good American Family’ successfully grounded its narrative in real, tangible settings that resonate with the audience, enhancing the authenticity of its storytelling.
Read More: Where is Hulu’s Deli Boys Filmed?
