Full Breakdown
Josey Dorsey Lands First Film Role in “The Burning Valley”
9/2/2026, 8:54:10 PM
Core Event: Son Joins Father in New Feature
Ten-year-old Josey Hollis Dorsey, the son of late *Glee* star Naya Rivera and actor Ryan Dorsey, has secured his first on-screen credit. IMDb lists him as “Boy” in The Burning Valley, a drama written and directed by Pennsylvania native Evan Courby. The film began shooting in Pennsylvania earlier this month, and Ryan Dorsey is cast opposite his son as “Sam Pope.”
Family Background and Recent Projects
Josey first appeared on stage at age 8 in a West Virginia production of *Seussical Jr.* in 2024, a milestone reported by multiple outlets. After Rivera’s accidental drowning on July 8, 2020, the family relocated from Los Angeles to Charleston, West Virginia, where Ryan Dorsey rebuilt his life and continued acting in series such as *Yellowstone* and *Palm Royale*. In addition to “The Burning Valley,” Josey is reportedly slated for the upcoming film *Fairy Boy* directed by Julia Fox.
Official Statements & Responses
A representative for Ryan Dorsey told the actor’s camp that he is “a very proud dad” and praised Josey’s hard work and growth as an actor. He also recalled the lasting impact of Rivera’s death, describing the moment he witnessed her drowning as “rocking 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
- “He’s been telling me for years that he wants a brother and a stepmom,” — Ryan Dorsey
- “I see how creative [Josey] is,” — Ryan Dorsey
