Forever (2025 TV series)
| Forever | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Teen drama |
| Created by | Mara Brock Akil |
| Inspired by | Forever… by Judy Blume |
| Showrunner | Mara Brock Akil |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Gary Gunn |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Running time | 43–52 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | May 8, 2025 – present |
Forever is an American romantic teen drama television series created by Mara Brock Akil loosely adapted from the Judy Blume novel of the same name. It was released on Netflix May 8, 2025, and was renewed for a second season on May 14.
Premise
The series is set in 2018 Los Angeles as two young athletes become each other's first love. Two families with pushy parents who are pressuring their kids into getting college athletic scholarships.[1]
Cast and characters
- Lovie Simone as Keisha Clark
- Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards
- Xosha Roquemore as Shelly, Keisha's mother
- Marvin Lawrence Winans III as Jaden, Justin's younger brother
- Wood Harris as Eric, Justin's father
- Karen Pittman as Dawn, Justin's mother
- Barry Shabaka Henley as George, Keisha's grandfather
- Ali Gallo as Chloe, Keisha's best friend
- Niles Fitch as Darius, Justin's best friend
- Paigion Walker as Tiffany, Keisha's cousin
- Adriyan Rae as Brittany, Keisha's cousin
- E'myri Crutchfield as Tammy, Keisha's track rival
- Xavier Mills as Christian Boykin, Keisha’s ex-boyfriend
- Yusef Thomas as Rodney, Tiffany's partner and a music producer
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Reunion" | Regina King | Mara Brock Akil | May 8, 2025 |
| 3 | "Fourth Quarter" | Anthony Hemingway | Kimberly Ndombe | May 8, 2025 |
| 4 | "Run It Back" | Thembi Banks | Jerron Horton | May 8, 2025 |
| 5 | "The Vineyard" | Mara Brock Akil | Norman Vance Jr. | May 8, 2025 |
| 6 | "The Honeymoon" | Thembi Banks | Terrance Daye | May 8, 2025 |
| 7 | "Deep End" | Anthony Hemingway | Autumn Joy Jimerson | May 8, 2025 |
| 8 | "Forever..." | Anthony Hemingway | Mara Brock Akil & Danya Hu | May 8, 2025 |
Production
In November 2022, Netflix announced that it had commissioned a television series adaptation of the book Forever… by Judy Blume, with Mara Brock Akil as showrunner and executive producer and Judy Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, Regina King, Shana C. Waterman and Anthony Hemingway also as executive producers. King directed the pilot.[2][3]
The cast is led by Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr and also includes Karen Pittman, Wood Harris, Xosha Roquemore, Marvin Lawrence Winans III, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, Niles Fitch, Paigion Walker and E'myri Crutchfield.[4]
On January 30, 2025, first-look images from filming were released.[5] On May 14, 2025, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[6]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for the show's original score, composed by Gary Gunn, was released by Netflix on May 2nd, 2025.[7] The soundtrack for the series includes music by Migos, Anderson Paak, Daft Punk, Foam Collective, Travis Scott, SZA, Janelle Monáe, Tyler, The Creator and Childish Gambino amongst others.[8]
Release
The series was released on Netflix on May 8, 2025.[3]
Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 96% approval rating based on 25 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "A thoroughly modern adaptation of Judy Blume's novel that retains its insight into young love, Forever is an effervescent romance that'll put an everlasting smile on viewers' faces."[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave a score of 84 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]
Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series a B+ and said, "While it encompasses all the butterflies and betrayals of first love, Forever also tells a deeper story about the challenges and heartache of raising exceptional Black kids in our fraught modern era."[11]
References
- ^ Perez, Lexy (March 4, 2025). "From 'The Housemaid' to 'The Women in Cabin 10': Upcoming Book Adaptations in 2025". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (November 10, 2022). "Judy Blume Novel 'Forever' Set As Netflix Series From Mara Brock Akil". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Perez, Lexy (March 5, 2025). "Netflix to Release Judy Blume Series Adaptation 'Forever' in May". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ Hailu, Selome (January 30, 2025). "'Forever' Teaser: Netflix Reimagines Judy Blume Novel About Losing Virginity With Black Cast". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ Esquibias, Liza (January 30, 2025). "Judy Blume's Teen Romance Novel Forever Gets a Modern Twist in New Netflix Series: See the First Look!". People. Archived from the original on March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ Swift, Andy (May 14, 2025). "Netflix Renews Forever, Four Seasons and 6 More Shows — Find Out What's Heading Into Its Final Season". TVLine. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Soundtrack Album for Netflix's 'Forever' Released | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ Gomez, Dessi (May 16, 2025). "All The Songs In Netflix's 'Forever': From Tyler The Creator To SZA". Deadline. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ "Forever: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ^ "Forever: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ Baldwin, Kristen (May 8, 2025). "Forever review: A magnificent, modern reimagining of Judy Blume's classic". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 8, 2025.