Tommy Dorfman to Direct Feature Adaptation of 'Carrying'

Tommy Dorfman will direct and produce a feature film adaptation of "Carrying," the debut horror novel by Samantha Josephs, through her company Good Girl Productions. Josephs will write the screenplay herself.

The novel, published by Putnam/Penguin Random House, reaches shelves on Oct. 6. It was recently shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.

The official logline describes the premise: "Martha is trans, so stealth even her family has no idea. She carved the woman she is out of the marble of a boy, and she'll do whatever it takes to protect what she's built. When a mysterious chronic illness and its debilitating symptoms threaten to upend her existence, she starts experimental treatments and gives in to her surprising, unsettling cravings. She's even more shocked to discover that she's undeniably, impossibly pregnant."

Josephs, a New York native now based in Los Angeles, graduated from USC's Writing for the Screen and Television program. Before writing "Carrying," she worked across podcasts, video games, apps and erotica.

The author addressed the adaptation directly. "From our very first meeting, it wasn't just Tommy's love for 'Carrying' that got me, but that she completely understood it," Josephs said. "For a book that I know is extremely out there, it feels especially touching that she sees it and Martha so completely. As we've started working together, Tommy's vision for my twisted tale has me absolutely giddy for everyone to experience. I know my baby is safe in Tommy's capable hands."

Dorfman launched Good Girl Productions in 2025 with a focus on developing projects for film, television and theater. The company's slate also includes a feature adaptation of Torrey Peters' bestseller "Detransition, Baby" and a movie based on Allie Rowbottom's thriller novel "Aestetica."

Dorfman previously directed the coming-of-age drama "I Wish You All the Best" for Lionsgate. As an actress, she is best known for roles in "13 Reasons Why" and "Jane the Virgin."

Josephs is repped by UTA. Dorfman is repped by Linden Entertainment, Yorn Levi and ID PR.

With "Carrying" shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize before publication, the adaptation adds a second high-profile trans-centered project to Good Girl's slate, positioning Dorfman's year-old company as a focused producer of literary genre work.