How Is Netflix's 'Forever' Similar — and Different — From the Book?

'Forever' Ending, Explained: Do Keisha And Justin Break Up End Of Netflix Series' Season 1?

Mara Brock Akil’s Foreve r fully displays first love, and it’s putting us in our feelings along the way. Centered on characters Keisha Clark ( Lovie Simone ) and Justin Edwards ( Michael Cooper Jr. ), the series adaptation of the Judy Blume classic novel is an ode to the puppy love in which the characters find themselves immersed. In the first episode of the new Netflix series, the two reconnect after going their separate ways in elementary schoo

How Is Netflix's 'Forever' Similar — and Different — From the Book?

Netflix has adapted Judy Blume‘s Forever novel — but how similar is the show to the book? During exclusive interviews with Us Weekly, Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. broke down their individual experiences with Forever before being cast on the show. Simone, 26, who plays Keisha, recalled doing a deep dive once she auditioned for the lead role. “I read it in one sitting and I was obsessed with it afterward. So the book made me want to get the…

'Forever' Stars Lovie Simon and Michael Cooper Jr. Say Their 'Weird' First Encounter Was as 'Authentic' as Their Characters' Meet Cute

“Forever” stars Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone opened up about the first time they encountered one another, with no idea at the time they would end up starring together in Netflix’s newest teen romance series. The pair told TheWrap that their “weird” initial interaction was as “authentic” as their characters’ meet cute. “I was not familiar with Michael, but when I first met him, I was really upset because we were on our way to the first che…

Lovie Simone Read Forever “In One Sitting” Before Starring In The Series

Photo: JC Olivera/Variety via Getty ImagesLovie Simone is a force to be reckoned with — and not just because her sun, Venus, and Mercury are all in Sagittarius. “It’s a lot of fire,” the 26-year-old Bronx native jokes during our virtual interview. “I’m an Aries moon too, but the Pisces rising kind of calms me down.”Astrological birth chart aside, the actor has proven herself as someone to watch this year. She stars in the Netflix series Forever,…

Mara Brock Akil Grew Up With Judy Blume’s Very White Characters. In 'Forever,' She Made Them Black

Mara Brock Akil's latest project, Netflix’s Forever, is an adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic 1975 YA novel with a twist: It's a tender drama series that explores Black teen love.

With ‘Forever,’ Karen Pittman Deepens Her On-Screen Journey

By Okla Jones ·Updated May 8, 2025 Karen Pittman is all too familiar with quality content. From The Morning Show to And Just Like That…, she’s built a career playing dynamic characters at the heart of smart, socially conscious storytelling. But in Forever, the new Netflix series, Pittman steps into uncharted territory—both professionally and emotionally. Adapted by The series is set in 2018, a time the Screen Actors Guild Award-nominee describes…