Forever premieres May 8 on Netflix.
By Elazar Abrahams
Netflix’s Forever, inspired by Judy Blume’s famously controversial 1975 novel, is not so much a direct adaptation as it is a thoughtful reimagining. Series creator Mara Brock Akil has crafted a heartfelt miniseries that captures the spirit of Blume’s focus on young love and first experiences while completely updating the setting and characters for a new generation. The result is a show that is both refreshingly authentic and emotionally resonant.
The series follows Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.), two Black teenagers navigating the thrills, awkwardness, and growing pains of first love. Both leads are exceptional. Their chemistry feels effortless, and their portrayals of young people caught between desire, responsibility, and the weight of future dreams feel grounded and relatable. Their banter and use of realistic slang add another layer of authenticity that many teen dramas struggle to achieve.
The pacing of the series is strong. The episodes, though brisk, cover a wide swath of time and emotional territory. While the focus remains on Keisha and Justin’s relationship, the supporting characters are not neglected. Family members and friends are given just enough depth to enrich the central narrative without detracting from the primary love story.
Viewers expecting a faithful page-to-screen retelling of Blume’s book will quickly realize that this is not that. The names, plotlines, and even the thematic focus have shifted significantly. Apart from a small, cheeky reference to a nickname from the novel, Forever largely stands apart. Rather than replicating the book, the series uses its core themes as a springboard to tell a culturally specific story that feels current and vital. The characters’ Black identities are not simply incidental but are thoughtfully integrated into the world of the show, exploring the aspirations, pressures, and joys specific to their experiences without turning them into caricatures or clichés. Justin’s basketball ambitions and budding interest in music production, for example, feel organic and reflect the real-life dreams of many young people today.
Forever addresses the sometimes messy, often exhilarating realities of young love with a rare blend of rawness and polish. It neither sensationalizes nor sanitizes the awkwardness of firsts—whether romantic, sexual, or emotional. Instead, it treats its characters and their experiences with the respect they deserve.
This is a coming-of-age story that feels honest, specific, and long overdue. For viewers looking for a fresh, sincere portrayal of young romance, Forever is a must-watch.
I give Forever an A.
TV and City 