Tommy Dorfman Breaks the Internet: Inside the ‘13 Reasons Why’ Star’s Latest Career Move and Powerful Message

Tommy Dorfman, best known for portraying Ryan Shaver on Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why,” has filed for divorce from wife Elise Williams after nearly two years of marriage, according to court documents lodged in New York City on 16 May 2025. The split arrives just five months after the 33-year-old actress hinted at heartbreak in a reflective Instagram carousel and one year after the couple revealed they had secretly eloped in late 2023. Relationship timeline • 2021 – Dorfman and Williams match on the Hinge dating app and become engaged within two months. • August 2022 – Engagement confirmed publicly on the “Broad Ideas” podcast. • December 2023 – Pair quietly marry in Malibu, wearing dresses they bought together at Dover Street Market. • December 2024 – Dorfman posts cryptic “heartbreak” captions on Instagram. • 16 May 2025 – Divorce petition filed; irreconcilable differences cited. Why the breakup is trending Dorfman’s personal life has long intersected with her art and advocacy. As a trans woman in Hollywood, she has spoken candidly about dating, gender euphoria, and the pressure of public scrutiny. The divorce news taps into ongoing conversations about LGBTQ+ marriage visibility while coinciding with two other headline-making milestones: 1. Debut memoir release On 27 May 2025, Dorfman publishes “Maybe This Will Save Me: A Memoir of Art, Addiction, and Transformation,” an unfiltered account of her Southern upbringing, substance-use struggles, and gender transition. Early excerpts reveal that writing became “a beautiful exercise in reflection and self-love,” setting the stage for robust book-tour press and likely best-seller buzz. 2. Directorial momentum Following her SXSW-premiered feature “I Wish You All the Best,” slated for theatrical release later this year, industry insiders predict Dorfman will leverage memoir publicity to accelerate new directing and acting deals. What’s next for Tommy Dorfman • Book tour dates: Dorfman kicks off a Barnes & Noble Union Square signing in New York on 28 May, followed by Los Angeles, Atlanta, and London stops through June. • Screen projects: Casting is underway for an untitled queer coming-of-age series Dorfman is executive-producing; filming is expected to begin in early 2026. • Advocacy: Dorfman plans to partner with Trans Lifeline and the Trevor Project, donating a portion of memoir proceeds to trans youth mental-health services. Fan and industry reaction Social media timelines filled with support from former co-stars, including Katherine Langford and Alisha Boe, who praised Dorfman’s “radical honesty.” Entertainment analysts note that the simultaneous divorce headline and memoir launch have spiked search interest for the actress, a pattern often linked to pre-release sales surges. SEO takeaway Keywords currently driving traffic include “Tommy Dorfman divorce,” “Elise Williams,” “Maybe This Will Save Me memoir,” and “13 Reasons Why star.” Expect search volume to peak again around the memoir’s publication date and each major tour city, presenting opportunities for bookstores, LGBTQ+ media, and pop-culture podcasts to capitalize on localized content. Bottom line Tommy Dorfman is entering a pivotal chapter—personally single, professionally prolific, and culturally influential. Whether navigating heartbreak or crafting art, she continues to shape conversations around trans visibility, creative reinvention, and modern love.