TV Shows That Portrayed Adoption Stories Across Diverse Families

For years, television shows have used families to explore difficult issues and tell moving stories. Stories about adoption are a great way to show that families aren’t always formed through biology, and can come together in many different ways. These shows often portray the happiness and difficulties of welcoming a child into a home, whether through foster care or international adoption. As viewers follow these characters, they learn about the complex legal and emotional aspects of adoption.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

This Is Us focuses on the Pearson family, particularly after they adopt Randall following the tragic loss of one of their triplets at birth. Jack and Rebecca navigate the complexities of raising Randall, who is Black, alongside his white twin siblings. The show follows Randall’s lifelong journey to discover his birth parents and understand who he is. In later seasons, Randall and his wife, Beth, continue this pattern of building a family by fostering and adopting a child.

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

In the very first episode of the show, Mitchell and Cam introduce their adopted daughter, Lily, who they brought home from Vietnam, opening the door to the topic of international adoption. Throughout the series, it humorously and touchingly depicts their journey as a gay couple raising an adopted family, including their later adoption of their son, Rexford. Despite facing potential judgment from others, the show consistently portrays their family as loving and strong.

‘The Fosters’ (2013–2018)

Stef and Lena Foster create a unique family by raising both their biological children and adopted teenagers. The show offers a realistic and honest look at the challenges faced by kids in the foster care system as they search for a stable home. It sensitively explores difficult topics like trauma and being separated from siblings, and is known for being one of the most thorough depictions of the foster-to-adopt process on TV.

‘Parenthood’ (2010–2015)

Julia and Joel Braverman-Peck chose to adopt after facing difficulties trying to have another child. They brought a young boy named Victor into their family through foster care. The story realistically shows the challenges of adjusting as Victor learns to trust his new parents and fit in with his larger family. It emphasizes the need for patience and strength when building a relationship with a child who has already experienced life elsewhere.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–Present)

Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd welcome a daughter, Zola, into their family after she’s brought to the hospital as a patient, adopting her from Malawi. The show follows the challenges they face legally and publicly as they go through the adoption process. Later, characters like Owen Hunt and Jo Wilson also experience the complexities of foster care and adoption. These stories highlight how the bonds of family can be just as strong, even when they aren’t based on blood relation, within the close-knit hospital environment.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

After struggling to conceive, Monica and Chandler decide to adopt. They are chosen by a pregnant woman named Erica to raise her baby. In a surprising turn of events during the series finale, Erica actually gives birth to twins, giving Monica and Chandler the larger family they always dreamed of.

‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)

Charlotte York and Harry Goldenblatt struggled to have children on their own, so they decided to adopt internationally. They traveled to China and adopted their daughter, Lily, bringing a heartwarming conclusion to the original series. The new series follows their family as Lily blossoms into a gifted teen, finally fulfilling Charlotte’s dream of becoming a mother.

‘The O.C.’ (2003–2007)

After his mother leaves him, troubled teen Ryan Atwood is taken in by Sandy and Kirsten Cohen, a well-off couple. They eventually become his legal guardians and welcome him into their family in the exclusive community of Newport Beach. The series highlights the stark contrast between Ryan’s difficult past and his new, privileged life, demonstrating that love and family can be found in unexpected circumstances.

‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1978–1986)

Philip Drummond, a wealthy man who recently lost his wife, adopts two boys, Arnold and Willis, from Harlem. The show follows the humorous and sometimes challenging experiences of the boys as they adjust to living in a luxurious penthouse and a very different world. It was groundbreaking for its time, being one of the first popular sitcoms to center around a family where the parents and children were of different races. At its core, the series is about the loving relationship between Mr. Drummond and his adopted sons.

‘Punky Brewster’ (1984–1988)

Henry Warnimont, a somewhat grumpy photographer, finds a young girl named Punky living alone in an apartment. He takes her in as a foster child and then works to officially adopt her, facing challenges with the legal system. The show beautifully blends the fun and innocence of childhood with the real anxieties felt by kids in foster care. Despite their age difference, Henry and Punky develop a loving and touching father-daughter relationship.

‘Webster’ (1983–1989)

When a retired football player and his wife take in the orphaned son of a former teammate, their lives are turned upside down. Webster Long, a lively and playful boy, brings new energy to George and Katherine Papadopolis’s quiet life together. The show follows the couple as they navigate the challenges and joys of unexpectedly becoming parents, and how they build a family based on love and loss.

‘Jessie’ (2011–2015)

The Ross family is a wealthy New York City family with four children, three of whom were adopted from Uganda, India, and Detroit. The show follows the comedic adventures of these siblings as they learn to live together and embrace their diverse backgrounds, with the help of their nanny, Jessie. It explores the challenges and joys of a multi-ethnic family.

‘Anne with an E’ (2017–2019)

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert planned to adopt a boy to help with farm work, but they unexpectedly receive a lively girl named Anne. This series, based on the beloved novel, delves into the difficult experiences Anne had while growing up in orphanages. Though surprised, the Cuthberts eventually come to cherish Anne’s imagination and intelligence, and she brings joy and change to their peaceful lives. The story highlights how finding a family can be incredibly healing.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Charles Boyle gets to experience the joy of becoming a dad when he adopts a son, Nikolaj, from Latvia. He’s incredibly protective of Nikolaj and quickly corrects anyone who mispronounces his name. This storyline highlights the powerful love adoptive parents have for their children, showing that family isn’t about blood relation. The show portrays Charles’s dedication to Nikolaj as a heartwarming and constant part of his personality.

‘Private Practice’ (2007–2013)

Addison Montgomery deeply wants to be a mother, and eventually adopts a baby boy named Henry. The adoption process is lengthy and emotionally challenging, pushing her to her limits. As a single, working doctor, she faces the difficulties of balancing her career with raising a child, and becoming a mother is a significant part of her personal growth.

‘Glee’ (2009–2015)

In the first season, Quinn Fabray makes the heartbreaking decision to give her baby up for adoption to Shelby Corcoran. Shelby then adopts the baby, named Beth, and tries to raise her while dealing with Quinn and her other biological parents. The storyline explores the complex emotions surrounding open adoption, particularly for young parents, and the tough choices they face when trying to do what’s best for their child.

‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (1999–Present)

Olivia Benson, a seasoned detective, finds her life transformed when she fosters and then adopts a baby boy named Noah. Becoming a mother isn’t easy, as she faces a difficult legal battle and struggles to balance the demands of her dangerous career with the needs of a child. Noah quickly becomes the most important thing in her life, bringing a new sense of warmth and vulnerability to her tough exterior. This journey allows viewers to see Benson as a person, and strengthens her dedication to protecting children.

‘90210’ (2008–2013)

Dixon Wilson was adopted by Harry and Debbie Wilson and has a sister named Annie. When the family relocates from Kansas to Beverly Hills, Dixon has to get used to a new school. Throughout the series, the show explores his thoughts about his birth parents and how he feels about being part of the Wilson family. Dixon and Annie share a close and loving relationship that is a constant throughout the story.

‘One Tree Hill’ (2003–2012)

Brooke Davis experiences many challenges trying to become a mother, even before she starts fostering a teenager named Sam. Though she eventually marries Julian Baker and has twin sons, her experience as a foster parent is crucial to her personal development. The show highlights how a loving and consistent home environment can positively affect a child who has had a difficult past. Brooke demonstrates that a woman’s desire to nurture and protect isn’t limited to having biological children.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

Dexter Morgan became the son of police officer Harry Morgan after Harry discovered him at a crime scene as a young child. Harry taught Dexter a strict code, guiding him to direct his violent impulses towards only those who deserved it. This complicated relationship between father and son is central to the entire series, and it examines how upbringing can try to manage inherent tendencies, even in the most difficult situations.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

During a meteor shower, Jonathan and Martha Kent discover a young child in a spaceship and decide to raise him as their own. They keep Clark’s alien background a secret to keep him safe, while also teaching him important human principles. The Kents’ guidance shapes Clark into the hero he becomes, Superman. At its heart, this is a story about the strength and impact of loving an adopted child.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

After her home planet Krypton was destroyed, Kara Zor-El was adopted by the Danvers family. Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers raised Kara with their daughter, Alex, and the two girls formed a strong sisterly bond that’s central to the show. The series focuses on how the Danvers family welcomed Kara and supported her as she learned to manage her incredible abilities.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a wealthy and unusual man, adopts seven babies with extraordinary abilities from across the globe. He trains them to be a superhero team, but his unconventional approach creates lasting emotional scars. As adults, the siblings find it difficult to connect with their emotionally unavailable father and with each other. The series explores what happens when a ‘found family’ is built on a foundation of mistreatment and abuse.

‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2019)

As a film buff, one of the funniest, yet most unsettling storylines in Arrested Development has to be Lucille Bluth’s adoption of Annyong. It’s so brilliantly cynical – she doesn’t want a son, she wants to annoy Buster! It really highlights how self-absorbed and clueless the Bluths are, using the idea of adoption as just another weapon in their family dysfunction. And the irony is, little Annyong ends up being key to all their legal problems! It’s a really dark, funny take on someone adopting a child for all the wrong reasons, and it just adds another layer to the show’s genius.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

David Fisher and Keith Charles share their journey through the complexities of adopting children as a gay couple. They ultimately welcome two brothers, Durrell and Anthony, into their family after years in the foster care system. The show honestly portrays the difficulties Durrell and Anthony face, and the incredible patience David and Keith demonstrate. It concludes with a heartwarming look at their family’s lasting happiness and success.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–Present)

A lone bounty hunter discovers a young alien and decides to keep him safe instead of handing him over to authorities. He eventually becomes a father figure to the child, known as Grogu, raising him as part of his Mandalorian culture. Throughout their travels across the galaxy, a strong bond develops between them, even without much conversation. The story highlights that being loyal and protective of one another is what truly makes a family.

‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)

Lady Edith Crawley secretly gives birth to a daughter, Marigold, and initially arranges for a tenant farmer to raise her. Later, Edith brings Marigold home as a ward and eventually reveals her as her daughter. This storyline explores the challenges faced by unmarried mothers and illegitimate children in early 20th-century society, ultimately showing Marigold being fully accepted and raised as part of the Crawley family.

‘Trying’ (2020–Present)

Nikki and Jason, a couple from Britain, choose to adopt after facing difficulties getting pregnant. The show follows their experience navigating the challenging and often stressful adoption process, and the emotional journey of hoping to be chosen as parents. Eventually, they connect with two children and work hard to ensure the siblings can stay together, offering a realistic and touching portrayal of modern adoption.

‘A Million Little Things’ (2018–2023)

Rome and Regina Howard decide they want to start a family and begin the adoption process. After a difficult failed adoption, they choose to foster and eventually adopt a teenager named Tyrell. The series shows Rome stepping into a mentoring role and the journey to becoming Tyrell’s legal father. Their experience demonstrates that strong family bonds can grow from overcoming challenges and healing together.

‘Station 19’ (2018–2024)

After a firefighter dies, Ben Warren and Miranda Bailey work to become the legal guardians of his young daughter, Pruitt. This involves a court case with the child’s grandparents. The story highlights the commitment firefighters make to support the families of those who lose their lives serving others, and Pru eventually becomes a cherished part of their extended family.

‘Little Fires Everywhere’ (2020)

This story centers on a difficult custody dispute over Mirabelle, a Chinese-American baby adopted by the affluent McCullough family. Her birth mother, Bebe Chow, is fighting to get Mirabelle back after leaving her at a fire station. The series explores the complex issues surrounding transracial adoption and how wealth impacts the situation, ultimately raising questions about the meaning of motherhood.

‘Pose’ (2018–2021)

Blanca Evangelista creates a safe haven for LGBTQ+ young people in New York City who have been rejected by their families. The series focuses on the idea of ‘chosen families’ – the strong bonds formed within the ballroom community. As a ‘house mother,’ Blanca offers housing and support, essentially becoming a surrogate parent to those who need it. This system provides a crucial, unofficial way for these young people to find the family and stability they deserve.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present)

Police Chief Jim Hopper shelters a girl named Eleven who has special powers, keeping her hidden in a cabin. He officially becomes her father by creating a fake birth certificate. Over time, their connection grows from one of protection to a real, loving father-daughter relationship, complete with all the challenges of raising a teenager. This adoption offers both Hopper and Eleven a fresh start and a sense of family.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Beth Harmon, a young chess genius who lost her parents, is taken in by Alma and Allston Wheatley. Though her adoptive father remains emotionally unavailable, Alma grows into Beth’s manager and closest companion, traveling with her to chess tournaments. Their connection is complicated, sometimes feeling like a business arrangement, but it’s the only consistent support Beth has. The story highlights how two isolated individuals can come to depend on each other out of necessity.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)

Regina Mills, also known as the Evil Queen, adopts a baby named Henry hoping to find happiness. As Henry grows, he discovers his mother’s dark past and searches for his birth mother, Emma Swan. The story focuses on the complicated relationship between Regina and Emma, eventually leading them to work together as parents. Ultimately, Regina’s journey towards becoming a better person is fueled by her love for Henry.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

After the tragic loss of their parents during the White Night, three white children are adopted by Angela Abar and her husband, Cal. The show portrays this transracial adoption as a natural part of their family life, rather than a major source of conflict. Despite the difficulties caused by Angela’s secret life as a vigilante, the children are raised in a supportive and loving environment, offering a realistic depiction of a diverse family within a typically action-oriented show.

‘Batman: The Animated Series’ (1992–1995)

After a criminal kills Dick Grayson’s parents, Bruce Wayne takes him in and becomes his legal guardian. This connection resonates with Bruce’s own past trauma and ultimately leads to the iconic Batman and Robin duo. The story shows Bruce helping Dick cope with his loss, and it introduces the idea of the ‘Bat-family’ – a group of people united by shared hardship and a common purpose.

‘The King of Queens’ (1998–2007)

During the final season of the show, Doug and Carrie Heffernan consider different ways to start a family. The series ends with them adopting a baby girl from China, and surprisingly, they also learn that Carrie is pregnant! This means they’re going to have two children, wrapping up the show’s storyline about their desire to become parents.

Share your favorite TV adoption story or tell us which show handled the topic best in the comments.

2026-01-26 19:50