Having taken on her first leading role in a TV series, Imogen Faith Reid not only faced the pressure of a heavyweight role but also the opportunity to work with her longtime idol – Ellen Pompeo. However, throughout the filming of Good American Family, the 27-year-old actress kept a secret: she was a loyal fan of Grey’s Anatomy, the show that has been associated with Ellen’s name for nearly two decades.
“She’s really my role model. I love Grey’s Anatomy, but I never told Ellen. I was afraid that it might make her feel embarrassed or uncomfortable,” Reid shared exclusively with Us Weekly in a recent interview. “I think it’s better to keep it to myself – but honestly, working with her was an amazing experience, something I will always remember.”
From non-speaking supporting role to leading role
Imogen has appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Third Day as a body double – roles without dialogue, without spotlight, and rarely in the spotlight. So being chosen to play Natalia Grace – the central character in Good American Family – was a big step in her acting career.
“I was really nervous. I’d never had a leading role before, I’d never had a long line, and now I had to carry the whole story on my shoulders,” Reid admits. “I asked myself, ‘Am I capable of this?’ But then I thought, ‘I’m a small person, but I have a big story to tell.’ And that’s what got me over the initial fear.”
Reid, who lives with a developmental disorder that causes her to be smaller than normal, says she has a special connection to Natalia – a childlike girl who has been accused of being an adult in disguise, leading to a series of controversies and a high-profile lawsuit. But Reid wasn’t trying to copy Natalia in real life – instead, she wanted to create her own, personal version.
“I had a movement coach to figure out how Natalia would move in a way that would fit my body and style. I wasn’t trying to emulate Natalia because we have different forms of dwarfism. I also had a dialect coach to help me with my American accent, and Disney was very supportive, even providing me with a personal acting coach.”
Ellen Pompeo – the silent guide
If the spotlight was on Imogen on Good American Family, Ellen Pompeo was her guiding light behind the scenes. With more than 15 years of experience playing Meredith Grey, Pompeo is not only a veteran actor but also a companion and a silent teacher in Imogen’s eyes.
“I remember one time I was standing in the wrong position on set – a basic thing for an actor – but I was not used to it. Ellen immediately told the cameraman to adjust the angle so I could see what I was doing. That was the moment I realized: she cared not only about my role, but also about my learning journey.”
But what Imogen remembers most is not the grand teachings, but the way Ellen instilled confidence in her – something that seems simple but is extremely important for a new actor.
“She always reminded me that I had a voice, I had the right to speak up. I used to be very shy, self-conscious, and felt small – literally and figuratively. But Ellen always made me feel valuable, that I deserved to be here, in this position.”
Big Lessons from the Mentors
Although Good American Family marks Reid’s first leading role, she says she never felt alone. The cast, which includes Mark Duplass, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue, Dulé Hill, Jenny O’Hara and Kim Shaw, have become valuable mentors and companions.
“They’re professional, dedicated, and they make really thoughtful acting choices. Ellen always talks about ‘choosing’ – and that’s what I learned the most: that acting isn’t just about reading lines, it’s about making deep choices for a character.”
“Even though I’m the lead on screen, they’re my mentors. I learn from them all – from how they prepare, how they improvise, to how they respect and support each other. It’s a great environment for a young actor like me.”
Good American Family, now streaming on Hulu, marks Ellen Pompeo’s emotional TV return after stepping down from her role as Meredith Grey — and a huge boost for Imogen Faith Reid’s promising career.
