Naya Rivera’s life ended far too soon when the Glee star drowned accidentally at age 33 during a 2020 boating trip at Lake Piru in California. Her death shocked fans worldwide, cutting short a career defined by her iconic portrayal of Santana Lopez and her talent as a singer and actress.

Authorities determined that Rivera drowned after getting her four-year-old son Josey back onto their boat. Her body was recovered five days later, on July 13, 2020.

Now, six years later, Josey is beginning an acting journey of his own.

Josey Hollis Dorsey, now 10, has landed his first on-screen film role in The Burning Valley, where he will appear alongside his father, Ryan Dorsey. Directed by first-time filmmaker Evan Coury, the drama is filming in Pennsylvania and centers on a steelworker confronting the closure of his mill and the decline of his hometown. Josey is credited as “Son,” while Ryan plays “Father.”

The project follows Josey’s earlier stage experience. At eight, he appeared in a West Virginia production of Seussical Jr. after moving from Los Angeles with his father. His new film role now brings him into a professional production alongside Ryan, creating a particularly meaningful family connection.

Rivera’s final days remain inseparable from Josey’s story. On July 8, 2020, the pair went boating at Lake Piru. Investigators said Rivera used her remaining strength to get Josey back onto their pontoon before she disappeared underwater. The Ventura County Medical Examiner later ruled her death an accidental drowning.

Rivera also left behind a connection to the DC universe, and that animated legacy now finds a new chapter with Batman’s darkest battle.

Before her death, Naya Rivera voiced Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, in the 2021 animated film Batman: The Long Halloween. DC lists Rivera among the film’s principal cast alongside Jensen Ackles and Josh Duhamel. Now, DC has released Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall, the opening chapter of a three-part animated adaptation of the famous comic storyline. The film arrived digitally on August 25, 2026.

The story begins after Arkham Asylum is destroyed and its inmates are unleashed across Gotham. Batman is pushed to his physical and mental limits while confronting Bane, the formidable villain who ultimately breaks the Bat. Anson Mount voices Batman, Michael Mando plays Bane, and Pablo Schreiber portrays Jean-Paul Valley, also known as Azrael.

Parts Two and Three are scheduled to follow later in 2026 and early 2027, continuing the aftermath of Bruce Wayne’s defeat and the transformation of Gotham’s protector. This is the first time the Dark Knight is making an R-rated appearance on the screens and reviews have tested positive for this gore-soaked and grotesque reimagining of Gotham city and its residents.

7 Best Steve Carell Characters Not Named Michael Scott You Should Watch at Least Once

What do you think about Josey Dorsey beginning his acting journey six years after his mother’s passing? Let us know in the comments.