TV Shows That Portrayed Adoption Stories Across Diverse Families

Television has long used the family unit to explore complex social themes and emotional narratives. Adoption stories allow writers to showcase diverse family structures that go beyond biological connections. These series depict the joys and challenges of bringing new members into a home through foster care or international adoption. Viewers often find themselves learning about the legal and emotional intricacies of the process through these beloved characters.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

The narrative of the Pearson family centers heavily on the adoption of Randall after the loss of a triplet during birth. Jack and Rebecca raise their adopted Black son alongside their biological white twins in a detailed exploration of transracial family dynamics. The series delves into Randall searching for his biological parents and struggling with his identity throughout his life. Later seasons show Randall and his wife Beth continuing the cycle by fostering and adopting a child of their own.

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker introduce viewers to international adoption in the very first episode when they bring home their daughter Lily from Vietnam. The show highlights the humorous and heartfelt experiences of a same-sex couple raising an adopted child within a large extended family. They later navigate the domestic adoption process to welcome their son Rexford into their home. The series consistently portrays their family unit as loving and valid despite external judgments.

‘The Fosters’ (2013–2018)

Stef Adams Foster and Lena Adams Foster lead a household that blends biological children with adopted teenagers. This drama provides a realistic look at the foster care system and the difficulties children face before finding a permanent home. The show tackles issues such as trauma and sibling separation with sensitivity and honesty. It remains one of the most comprehensive portrayals of foster-to-adopt journeys on television.

‘Parenthood’ (2010–2015)

Julia Braverman-Peck and her husband Joel decide to adopt a child after struggling with secondary infertility. They welcome a young boy named Victor who enters their lives through the foster care system. The storyline honestly depicts the adjustment period as Victor struggles to trust his new parents and integrate with his new extended family. Their journey highlights the patience and resilience required to build a bond with an older child.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–Present)

Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd adopt a baby girl named Zola from Malawi after she arrives at the hospital as a patient. The medical drama explores the legal hurdles and personal scrutiny involved in the adoption process. Other characters such as Owen Hunt and Jo Wilson also navigate the foster and adoption systems in later seasons. These storylines emphasize that family connections often transcend biology within the hospital community.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

Monica Geller and Chandler Bing turn to adoption after facing fertility challenges during their marriage. They are selected by a young pregnant woman named Erica to adopt her unborn child. The series finale delivers a surprise when Erica gives birth to twins instead of the single baby they expected. This conclusion gives Monica and Chandler the family they desperately wanted.

‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)

Charlotte York and her husband Harry Goldenblatt pursue international adoption after facing difficulties conceiving naturally. They travel to China to adopt their daughter Lily in a storyline that concludes the original series on a hopeful note. The sequel series continues to show their close bond as Lily grows into a talented teenager. This arc rewards Charlotte with the motherhood she sought throughout the show.

‘The O.C.’ (2003–2007)

Sandy and Kirsten Cohen take in a troubled teenager named Ryan Atwood after his biological mother abandons him. The wealthy couple eventually becomes his legal guardians and integrates him fully into their family life in Newport Beach. The show contrasts Ryan’s rough upbringing with the privilege of his new environment. Their relationship proves that parental love can come from unexpected places.

‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1978–1986)

Wealthy widower Philip Drummond adopts two African American boys from Harlem named Arnold and Willis. The sitcom explores the cultural clashes and adjustments the boys face moving into a high-society penthouse. It was one of the first popular sitcoms to feature a transracial adoptive family at its center. The bond between Mr. Drummond and his sons remains the heart of the series.

‘Punky Brewster’ (1984–1988)

A grumpy photographer named Henry Warnimont discovers an abandoned young girl named Punky living in an empty apartment. He eventually becomes her foster parent and fights the court system to legally adopt her. The show balances the whimsy of childhood with the serious fear of separation that foster children experience. Henry and Punky form a heartwarming father-daughter duo despite their age gap.

‘Webster’ (1983–1989)

A retired football player and his wife adopt the orphaned son of a former teammate. Webster Long brings energy and mischief into the lives of George and Katherine Papadopolis. The series focuses on the adjustments of a newly married couple suddenly raising a young boy. It highlights the formation of a family unit through tragedy and love.

‘Jessie’ (2011–2015)

The wealthy Ross family includes four children with three of them adopted from different parts of the world. Zuri, Ravi, and Luke come from Uganda, India, and Detroit respectively to live in a New York City penthouse. The show uses comedy to address the unique dynamics of a multi-ethnic sibling group. Their nanny Jessie helps them navigate their differences and bond as a cohesive unit.

‘Anne with an E’ (2017–2019)

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert intend to adopt a boy to help on their farm but receive a spirited girl named Anne instead. This adaptation of the classic novel explores the trauma Anne carries from her time in orphanages. The Cuthberts eventually embrace her imagination and intelligence as she transforms their quiet lives. The series emphasizes the healing power of belonging to a family.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Charles Boyle fulfills his dream of fatherhood when he adopts a son named Nikolaj from Latvia. The detective is fiercely protective and corrects anyone who mispronounces his son’s name. His journey reflects the intense love adoptive parents feel regardless of biological connection. The show treats his devotion to Nikolaj as a sweet and consistent character trait.

‘Private Practice’ (2007–2013)

Dr. Addison Montgomery struggles with her desire for a child before finally adopting a baby boy named Henry. The process involves a long wait and a difficult selection period that tests her resolve. She navigates the challenges of being a single working mother while running a medical practice. Her journey to motherhood is a central theme of her character development.

‘Glee’ (2009–2015)

Quinn Fabray gives her baby up for adoption to Shelby Corcoran in a dramatic first-season storyline. Shelby adopts the baby girl named Beth and attempts to raise her while navigating interactions with the biological parents. The show touches on the emotional aftermath of open adoption arrangements for teenagers. It portrays the difficult choices birth parents make to ensure a better future for their children.

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

Captain Olivia Benson becomes a mother after fostering and eventually adopting a baby boy named Noah. Her journey involves a traumatic custody battle and the constant challenge of balancing her dangerous job with parenthood. Noah becomes the center of her world and softens her hardened detective persona. The storyline humanizes Benson and gives her a personal stake in the safety of children.

‘90210’ (2008–2013)

Dixon Wilson is the adopted son of Harry and Debbie Wilson and the brother of Annie. The family moves from Kansas to Beverly Hills where Dixon adjusts to a new high school environment. The series occasionally addresses his feelings about his biological parents and his identity within the Wilson family. His bond with his sister Annie is portrayed as genuine and unbreakable.

‘One Tree Hill’ (2003–2012)

Brooke Davis faces numerous obstacles in her quest to become a mother before fostering a teenager named Sam. She later marries Julian Baker and they welcome twin boys but the foster storyline is significant for her growth. The show depicts the impact a stable home can have on a troubled older child. Brooke proves that maternal instincts are not defined by biology.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

Dexter Morgan was adopted by police officer Harry Morgan after being found at a crime scene as a toddler. Harry teaches Dexter a code to channel his violent urges towards criminals. The complex father-son dynamic shapes the entire premise of the series. It explores how nurture can attempt to control nature in extreme circumstances.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

Jonathan and Martha Kent find a toddler in a spaceship during a meteor shower and raise him as their own son. They hide Clark’s alien origins to protect him while instilling strong human values. The Kents provide the moral compass that eventually turns Clark into Superman. This superhero origin story is fundamentally a tale about the power of adoptive love.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

Kara Zor-El is taken in by the Danvers family after escaping her dying planet of Krypton. Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers raise her alongside their biological daughter Alex. The bond between the two sisters becomes the emotional anchor of the show. The series highlights how the Danvers family accepted Kara and helped her control her powers.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

Eccentric billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves adopts seven super-powered infants from around the world. He raises them as a superhero team rather than a traditional family which causes significant emotional trauma. The siblings struggle to connect with their distant father and with each other as adults. The show deconstructs the idea of a found family under abusive circumstances.

‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2019)

Lucille Bluth adopts a Korean boy named Annyong simply to make her son Buster jealous. The satirical sitcom uses this adoption to mock the selfishness and ignorance of the wealthy Bluth family. Annyong eventually plays a crucial role in the family’s legal troubles. The storyline is a dark comedy take on adoption for the wrong reasons.

‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)

David Fisher and his partner Keith Charles navigate the complicated adoption system as a gay couple. They eventually adopt two brothers named Durrell and Anthony who have been in foster care. The show realistically depicts the behavioral challenges the boys face and the patience David and Keith must learn. It ends with a beautiful portrayal of their long-term success as a family.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–Present)

A solitary bounty hunter finds a mysterious child alien and chooses to protect him rather than turn him in. Din Djarin eventually adopts the child known as Grogu as a Mandalorian foundling. Their journey across the galaxy builds a profound father-son connection despite few words being spoken. The series emphasizes that loyalty and protection define a clan.

‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)

Lady Edith Crawley hides her pregnancy and arranges for her daughter Marigold to be adopted by a tenant farmer. She later reclaims the child and brings her into the family home as her ward before acknowledging her as her daughter. The storyline navigates the social stigma of illegitimacy in the early 20th century. Marigold is eventually raised with the full privileges of the Crawley family.

‘Trying’ (2020–Present)

Nikki and Jason are a British couple who decide to adopt after realizing they cannot conceive naturally. The comedy series focuses entirely on the rigorous vetting process and the anxiety of waiting for a match. They eventually bond with two children and fight to keep siblings together. It provides a modern and heartwarming look at the bureaucratic path to parenthood.

‘A Million Little Things’ (2018–2023)

Rome and Regina Howard navigate the adoption process after Regina decides she is ready for children. They face a heartbreaking failed adoption before eventually fostering and adopting a teenager named Tyrell. The show explores the mentorship role Rome takes on before becoming a legal father. Their story highlights that families can be formed through shared trauma and healing.

‘Station 19’ (2018–2024)

Ben Warren and Miranda Bailey fight to obtain custody of a little girl named Pruitt after her father dies in the line of duty. The adoption involves a legal battle with the child’s grandparents. The storyline emphasizes the promise firefighters make to care for the families of their fallen colleagues. Pru becomes a beloved member of their blended family.

‘Little Fires Everywhere’ (2020)

The plot involves a contentious custody battle over a Chinese-American baby named Mirabelle who is adopted by the wealthy McCullough family. The biological mother Bebe Chow fights to regain custody after leaving the child at a fire station. The limited series examines the ethics of transracial adoption and the privileges of wealth. It questions what truly makes someone a mother.

‘Pose’ (2018–2021)

Blanca Evangelista starts her own house and becomes a mother figure to rejected LGBTQ youth in New York City. The series explores the concept of chosen families within the ballroom culture. House mothers provide housing and guidance to young people who have lost their biological families. This structure acts as a vital informal adoption system for the community.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present)

Police Chief Jim Hopper takes in a telekinetic girl named Eleven and hides her in a cabin to keep her safe. He eventually becomes her legal father after forging a birth certificate. Their relationship evolves from protector and ward to a genuine father-daughter bond filled with teenage angst and deep love. Hopper’s adoption of Eleven gives both characters a second chance at family.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

Orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon is adopted by Alma and Allston Wheatley. While the father is distant, Alma eventually becomes Beth’s manager and companion on the chess circuit. The relationship is complex and occasionally transactional but ultimately provides Beth with her only stability. The series shows how two lonely people can form a necessary reliance on one another.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)

The Evil Queen Regina Mills adopts a baby boy named Henry in an attempt to fill the void in her heart. Henry eventually realizes his mother is a fairytale villain and seeks out his biological mother Emma Swan. The show explores the conflict between adoptive and biological mothers before they learn to co-parent. Regina’s redemption arc is driven entirely by her love for her adopted son.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Angela Abar and her husband Cal adopt three white children after their parents are killed during the White Night attacks. The series presents this transracial adoption without making it the central conflict of their lives. The children are raised in a loving home despite the chaos surrounding Angela’s vigilante life. It normalizes a diverse family structure within a genre show.

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

Bruce Wayne takes in Dick Grayson as his ward after the boy’s parents are killed by a criminal. This relationship mirrors Bruce’s own loss and leads to the formation of the Batman and Robin partnership. The series portrays Bruce attempting to guide Dick through his grief. It establishes the Bat-family as a group bound by shared tragedy and mission.

‘The King of Queens’ (1998–2007)

Doug and Carrie Heffernan spend the final season exploring options to become parents. In the series finale, they travel to China to adopt a baby girl. The conclusion reveals that Carrie is also pregnant, leaving them with two children suddenly. This ending resolves the long-running subplot about their future family plans.

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