Mark Duplass Cast Opposite Ellen Pompeo in Long-Gestating Hulu Limited Series

The Morning Show‘s Mark Duplass has been cast as the male lead in the Hulu limited series that factored into Ellen Pompeo’s decision to have a reduced presence on Grey’s Anatomy these past two seasons.

Currently titled Orphan, the eight-episode series is inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and follows a Midwestern couple — Kristine and Michael Barnett (played by Pompeo and Duplass) — who adopt what they believe is an 8-year-old Ukrainian girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise the girl alongside their three biological children, they slowly start to believe she may not be who she says she is.

When the couple question their adopted daughter’s story, they’re confronted with hard questions of their own about the lengths they’re willing to go to defend themselves, falling into a battle that winds up “fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.”

It was back in August 2022 when Pompeo signed on to star in and executive-produce the series — news that was accompanied by the announcement that she would henceforth continue with Grey’s in a “limited capacity” (ultimately appearing in less than half of Season 19).

Katie Robbins (The Affair) serves as creator/writer on Orphan and is executive-producing with Pompeo, writer Sarah Sutherland, Pompeo’s producing partner Laura Holstein, Mike Epps, Dan Spilo, NIles Kirchner, Andrew Stern and director Liz Garbus.

Deadline first reported on Duplass’ casting. In addition to his three-season (and counting) run as The Morning Show‘s Chip (for which he earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations), his previous TV credits include Goliath, The Mindy Project, 2017’s Manhunt, Togetherness and The League.