Josey Dorsey, Son of Late 'Glee' Star, Cast in Feature Debut
Josey Dorsey, the 10-year-old son of the late Naya Rivera and actor Ryan Dorsey, has secured his first film role in Evan Coury's drama 'The Burning Valley.' The movie, currently shooting in Pennsylvania, centers on a steelworker facing a mill shutdown and his journey through a Rust Belt town. Ryan Dorsey is also listed in the cast, potentially sharing scenes with his son in the project, which marks Coury's directorial debut.
Josey Dorsey, now 10, steps into acting with a role in *The Burning Valley*, a drama set in Pennsylvania’s Rust Belt. The film, currently in production, follows a steelworker confronting a mill closure. His father, Ryan Dorsey, is also cast, so the pair may appear together on screen. This marks Evan Coury’s first feature as director, with filming underway near his childhood hometown.
The project follows Josey’s 2024 stage debut in *Seussical Jr.* in West Virginia, where he and his father relocated in 2023. His late mother, Naya Rivera, died in 2020 during a boating accident with Josey, then 4. Ryan’s TV credits include *Yellowstone* and *Ray Donovan*, while the film’s cast also features several lesser-known actors.
This debut could draw attention to a young performer navigating a public legacy of loss, potentially resonating with audiences familiar with Rivera’s *Glee* fandom. The father-son casting may humanize the production, but its impact likely remains niche—limited to film enthusiasts and those following the family’s story. It may also spotlight Rust Belt narratives, though without major stars, mainstream reach appears modest.