Few feelings are more unforgettable than first love: The passion. The butterflies. The heartbreak! Megaproducer Mara Brock Akil clearly agrees, as she’s about to tackle one of the most impactful first-love stories of all time: Forever by young adult icon Judy Blume.
A reimagination of the 1975 novel, the upcoming series will follow the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s capital-F Firsts in 2018 Los Angeles. Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on touchstone ’90s YA comedy Moesha.
“Judy Blume’s ability to capture the real emotions we experience during the various rites of passage of our youth influenced my life choices and writing voice,” Brock Akil, who serves as executive producer and showrunner, told Netflix when the show was announced. “I’m honored to reimagine one of my favorite books, Forever.”
Regina King (One Night in Miami, A Man in Full) is also coming along for the ride as an executive producer and will direct the first episode.
Read on below for more information about the drama, including the latest casting news.
Who is in the cast of Forever?
Lovie Simone (Social Distance, Manhunt) and Michael Cooper Jr. (On the Come Up) have been cast as the show’s leads. Simone will play Keisha Clark, a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school. Meanwhile, Cooper Jr. will portray Justin Edwards, a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents. Love will lead him to who he truly is.
The rest of the cast is as follows:
- Karen Pittman as Dawn, Justin’s mother. Dawn is a college-educated, top executive in corporate finance. Her easy elegance belies her loving — yet paranoid — parenting style. Dawn may be strict sometimes, but her behavior is always out of love. She’s worked hard to give Justin the things he needs to succeed and wants him to make smart decisions.
- Wood Harris as Eric, Justin’s father. Eric is a restaurateur with a high school degree — and one from the school of life. He’s the more lenient parent who always ends up playing referee. Eric knows his son feels immense pressure to go on to higher education and not waste the head start his family has worked so hard to provide. Eric has a good relationship with his son, and though he’s not as intense as his wife, he maintains clear boundaries. In 2018, Dawn and Eric are navigating parenting during a time of heightened awareness around the lack of safety for Black boys in America.
- Xosha Roquemore as Shelly, Keisha’s mother. Shelly is no stranger to hard work and hard knocks. She’s never had a lot, but has always prioritized taking care of her family.
- Marvin Lawrence Winans III as Jaden, Justin’s younger brother. Although he can be annoying, Jaden idolizes his big brother and enjoys any chance he gets to spend time with him.
- Barry Shabaka Henley as George, Keisha’s grandfather. George is laid-back and looks out for his granddaughter. He acts as her surrogate father and protector — so George is ready to give Keisha advice and take an active interest in her life.
- Ali Gallo as Chloe, Keisha’s best friend and confidant. Chloe is self-assured, outgoing, and can sometimes be in her own self-involved, naïve bubble. Still, she always has Keisha’s best interest at heart. Chloe is a popular girl who comes from wealth.
- Niles Fitch as Darius, Justin’s best friend. He is athletic, charming, assertive, and focused on girls. Darius loves to offer what he thinks is sage advice to a more tentative and less confident Justin. Still, loyal Daris’ ultimate goal is to help Justin come out of his shell.
- Paigion Walker as Tiffany, one of Keisha’s older cousins. She is a new mom and loves her new role. But beautiful and stylish Tiffany still clings onto her old life as much as possible — even if that means leaving for the bathroom to pump during a girls night out.
- E’myri Crutchfield as Tammy, Keisha’s rival on their high school track team. Tammy is confident, cute, and athletic. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to regain the No. 1 spot that Keisha now holds.
Who is behind Forever?
Forever is Brock Akil’s first project under her overall deal with Netflix. In addition to Brock Akil and King, the show is executive produced by Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, and Shana Waterman.
“Mara’s creative and authentic storytelling allows us to present a fresh take on an iconic coming-of-age love story,” said Renate Radford, Netflix’s vice president of overall deals, in November 2022. “We look forward to bringing the series to a global audience.”
Stay tuned for more news about Forever’s young lovers.
