‘Forever’ Teaser: Netflix Reimagines Judy Blume Novel About Losing Virginity With Black Cast

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The 1975 novel “Forever” by Judy Blume serves as the basis for Netflix’s latest teen drama series.

The series is titled after Blume’s renowned novel chronicling two teenagers from high school experiencing their first sexual experiences, yet it doesn’t strictly follow the source material. Instead, “Forever” is characterized as a sweeping love story about two Black adolescents navigating romance and self-discovery through the complexities of being each other’s first loves, unfolding in Los Angeles during 2018. As previously mentioned, Lovie Simone will headline as self-assured track star Keisha Clark, while Michael Cooper Jr. takes the role of intelligent basketball player Justin Edwards.

At the start of the preview, Keisha questions Justin about recognizing her, to which he seems unsure. The scene then transitions to what appears to be a past memory of them playing as kids. Justin then recalls her name. As they converse and grow closer, Keisha is seen with tears in her eyes, saying, “Justin, I can’t let myself like someone at the moment.” He responds, “Please don’t say that,” but she ends their call soon after; Justin is later shown shedding tears while looking at his phone, as Keisha is seen attending prom with another person. The teaser includes shots of them sharing tender moments or embracing, before Justin tells Keisha, “I believe we could have something special if you’d give it a try.

Additionally, Karen Pittman, Wood Harris, Xosha Roquemore, Marvis Winans III, Niles Fitch, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, Adriyan Rae, Paigion Walker, Xavier Mills and E’myri Crutchfield will also appear in the cast.

Mara Brock Akil, well-known for her work on the Tracee Ellis Ross-led sitcom “Girlfriends” that aired from 2000 to 2008 on UPN and later the CW, is responsible for the creation of the series “Forever.” Alongside Akil in executive production roles are Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, Regina King, Reina King, Shana C. Waterman, and Anthony Hemingway, with Akil also overseeing the show as its showrunner.

At the 2025 Next on Netflix gathering, the initial sneak peek was introduced by Bela Bajaria, the chief content officer. She described the upcoming series as a modern interpretation of a book that some of us might have secretly kept under our beds during our childhood years.

See the full teaser for “Forever” below.

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2025-01-30 19:18