The 2 Most Compelling Shows About A Woman Pretending To Be Younger: From Rom-Com To True Crime

The concept of a woman pretending to be younger is a powerful narrative device that cuts deep into modern anxieties about ageism, identity, and career relevance. As of December 12, 2025, this trope dominates two distinct corners of media: the glossy, aspirational world of romantic comedy and the dark, sensational realm of true crime docuseries.

While one story follows a 40-year-old trying to restart her life in the competitive New York publishing industry, the other is a disturbing real-life account of an adopted Ukrainian orphan whose parents claimed she was an adult sociopath posing as a child. These two narratives—one fictional, one factual—are the most compelling and talked-about examples of this theme today.

1. The Definitive Fictional Tale: *Younger* (2015–2021)

The television series *Younger*, created by Darren Star (known for *Sex and the City*), is the quintessential fictional exploration of a woman faking her age. Based on the novel by Pamela Redmond Satran, the show ran for seven seasons and became a cultural touchstone for discussing ageism in the workplace.

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Liza Miller’s Bold Deception and Biography

The series centers on Liza Miller, played by two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster. Liza, a recently divorced mother in her early 40s, finds herself unable to re-enter the publishing world after a 15-year career break to raise her daughter.

• Name: Liza Miller
• Age (Real): Early 40s (at the start of the series)
• Age (Pretended): 26
• Career: Aspiring editor at Empirical Publishing (later Millennial Print)
• Key Relationships: Charles Brooks (publisher), Josh (tattoo artist), Kelsey Peters (co-worker/friend)
• Creator: Darren Star
• Source Material: *Younger* (2005) by Pamela Redmond Satran

Liza's transformation from a suburban mom to a "Millennial" assistant is facilitated by a stylish makeover and the help of her best friend, Maggie. The show brilliantly explores the generational gap, the rise of social media, and the intense pressure to maintain a youthful facade in a youth-obsessed culture.

The Enduring Appeal and 2025 Updates

Though the series concluded in 2021, its themes remain highly relevant. The show's success was largely due to the chemistry between the core cast members, who have since moved on to new projects.

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• Sutton Foster (Liza Miller): Continues her celebrated career on Broadway and television.
• Hilary Duff (Kelsey Peters): Starred in the *How I Met Your Mother* spin-off, *How I Met Your Father*. Kelsey Peters, Liza’s ambitious co-worker, was the focus of a rumored spin-off series.
• Spin-Off Status: As of mid-2021, the highly anticipated spin-off centered on Kelsey Peters was reported to be "pretty much off the table" by creator Darren Star, disappointing many fans.
• Literary Sequel: The original novel's author, Pamela Redmond Satran, has written a sequel novel titled *Older*, which continues Liza Miller's story, suggesting the fictional universe may yet continue in print.

2. The Shocking True-Crime Reality: The Case of Natalia Grace

The second, and arguably most sensational, narrative is the real-life story of Natalia Grace, which has been the subject of multiple, highly-rated docuseries, including *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace* (2023) and *Natalia Grace: Good American Family*.

This case presents a terrifying twist on the "woman pretending to be younger" trope, where the deception is alleged to be malicious and deeply disturbing, captivating true-crime audiences worldwide.

The Barnett Family’s Claims and Docuseries Timeline

Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism, was adopted by Michael and Kristine Barnett in 2010. The family initially believed she was a six-year-old child.

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The situation quickly deteriorated when the Barnetts claimed that Natalia was not a child but an adult woman (allegedly a sociopath) who was posing as a minor and threatening their family. They successfully petitioned the court in 2012 to legally change her age to 22.

• Central Figure: Natalyah Grace Renee Mans (Natalia Grace)
• Adoptive Parents: Michael and Kristine Barnett
• Core Allegation: That Natalia was an adult with dwarfism posing as a child.
• Legal Action: Her legal age was changed from a minor to an adult (22) in 2012.
• Docuseries Titles: *The Curious Case of Natalia Grace* and *Natalia Grace: Good American Family*.

Natalia Grace’s Latest 2025 Updates

The story remains highly current, with new information constantly emerging. The docuseries, which aired in 2023 and 2024, brought the case back into the global spotlight, featuring interviews with the Barnett family and Natalia herself.

In a major update near the end of 2023, it was reported that Natalia, who is now 21 years old and has since been living with a new adoptive family (the Mans family), left their care shortly before Christmas. She is reportedly now living independently.

Current reports indicate that Natalia is focused on building her future, studying for her GED, and pursuing her goal of becoming a teacher. She is also learning to drive and enjoys popular music, presenting a life far removed from the sensational claims made against her.

3. Why This Trope Endures: Ageism, Identity, and the Millennial Myth

The enduring fascination with a "woman pretending to be younger" stems from deep-seated cultural anxieties and sociological themes that both *Younger* and the Natalia Grace case tap into, though from vastly different perspectives. These narratives provide a mirror to how society views age, ambition, and identity.

The Pressure of Professional Relevance

In the fictional world of *Younger*, Liza Miller’s deception highlights the brutal reality of ageism in industries like publishing, where experience is often valued less than youth and digital fluency. The show satirizes the "Millennial" aesthetic and vocabulary, suggesting that to be relevant, one must adopt the identity of the younger generation.

Liza's struggle is relatable to anyone who has felt the pressure to keep up with rapid technological and cultural shifts in the workplace. The show's success is a testament to the collective fear of becoming professionally obsolete.

The Crisis of Identity and Truth

The Natalia Grace case, by contrast, weaponizes the idea of age deception, turning it into a chilling mystery about identity. The core question—*is she a child or a woman?*—becomes a matter of life and death, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator.

The public’s intense interest in the docuseries reflects a primal human curiosity: how do we define truth, and what happens when the most fundamental aspects of a person’s identity—their age and nature—are called into question? The sensational claims of the Barnett family and Natalia's own defense create a complex, unresolved narrative that continues to drive headlines in 2025.

Entities and Topical Authority: A Comparative Look

Both stories are rich with entities that solidify their topical authority:

• Fictional Entities: Empirical Publishing, Millennial Print, Thad, Diana Trout, Charles Brooks, romantic comedy, age gap romance.
• Real-Life Entities: Ukrainian orphan, dwarfism, true crime docuseries, Michael Barnett, Kristine Barnett, legal age change, GED, adoption.

Whether it’s a glamorous editor navigating a love triangle or a young woman fighting to prove her true identity, the theme of a woman pretending to be younger continues to be a powerful vehicle for exploring modern societal pressures, career ambitions, and the unsettling nature of deception.