Full Breakdown
Josey Dorsey Lands First Film Role in “The Burning Valley”
8/31/2026, 7:43:24 AM
Core Event
Ten-year-old Josey Hollis Dorsey has been cast in the feature film *The Burning Valley*, marking his on-screen debut. The movie, written and directed by Evan Coury, also lists his father Ryan Dorsey among the cast, with the senior actor slated to play a character identified as “Father” and Josey as “Son” (or “Boy”) on IMDb.
Background & Context
Josey’s entry into film follows a brief stage career that began at age 8 with a production of *Seussical Jr.* in West Virginia in 2024. The family relocated from Los Angeles to West Virginia in 2023, a move reported by People. His mother, Naya Rivera—best known for her role as Santana on *Glee*—died in a drowning accident on July 8, 2020 while the family was on a rental boat at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. At the time, Josey was four and was later found asleep on the boat. Rivera and Ryan Dorsey had married in July 2014, divorced in 2016, and co-parented their son.
Data & Statistics
- Josey Hollis Dorsey: 10 years old; IMDb credit as “Boy”/“Son.”
- Ryan Dorsey: 43 years old; credited as “Father.”
- Film location: Arnold and Brackenridge, Pennsylvania (Rust Belt towns).
- Filming start: August 2024 (per multiple sources).
Official Statements & Responses
Director Evan Cour described the film’s premise as a portrait of deindustrialization: a steelworker loses his job when a mill shuts down, prompting a personal journey through his hometown. Cour also expressed a desire to capture regional history through a single character’s experience.
He also reflected on the impact of witnessing his wife’s final moments, saying it “just rocks my world.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “The movie is about a steelworker who loses his job when the mill announces a shutdown,” — Evan Coury
- “My hope is to encapsulate the history of our region through one guy’s personal experience,” — Evan Coury
- “It sets him on a journey as he wanders through his Rust Belt town,” — Evan Coury
Why It Matters
Josey’s casting continues the legacy of a family whose public narrative has been shaped by tragedy and resilience. The film’s focus on Rust Belt decline aligns with a broader cultural interest in stories of American industrial change, while the father-son on-screen pairing adds a personal dimension that may attract audience attention.
What's Next
*The Burning Valley* is currently in production; no release date has been announced. Further details about the characters and plot are expected as filming concludes.
