Samantha Josephs’ Debut Horror Novel ‘Carrying’ to Receive Feature Adaptation From Tommy Dorfman’s Good Girl Productions (EXCLUSIVE)

Samantha Josephs’ upcoming debut horror novel “Carrying,” about a transgender woman living in secret who miraculously discovers she’s pregnant, is getting a feature adaptation from Tommy Dorfman‘s Good Girl Productions. Dorfman is set to direct and produce the project while Josephs will pen the screenplay. An official logline for “Carrying” reads, “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.” From Putnam/Penguin Random House, “Carrying” is set to hit shelves on Oct. 6.

The book was recently shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. Josephs is a New York native now living in Los Angeles. She graduated from USC’s Writing for the Screen and Television program and worked across podcasts, video games, apps and erotica before penning “Carrying.” “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.

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.” Actress and filmmaker Dorfman launched Good Girl Productions in 2025 with a focus on developing projects for film, television and theater. Alyssa Raimann serves as vice president at the banner.

Other projects on the Good Girl slate include 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. In front of the camera, she’s best known for her 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.